Sustainable System Redesign

A MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT CONCRETE HOUSE Kenneth Cheng | CE4500 Professor: Leidy Klotz

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Proposal The purpose of this system is to come up with ways to become energy-conscious either passively or actively. I have decided to create a house out of concrete using traditional methods such as poured-in-place concrete. I also want to utilize the fluidity as a material to create more compelling spaces. One method could be to look at the form-work as a way to create solutions. For example, looking at how the way surface conditions are treated (porous architecture vs. transparency/translucency).

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Context Plan

Site Plan

Ground Floor Plan

Because the downside to building with concrete is its heavy appearance, the site must be chosen with careful consideration to its surrounding environments.

Located directly north of Charlottesville,Virginia, there exists a site that is located on an inclined slope near the woods where a creek exists at the lowest elevation. This site has the potential to accommodate a concrete house with the ability to play on the form of how the house is built so it can be integrated into the topography. Being able to build at a higher elevation, the issue with water drainage can be simplified.

Section Double Glass System

The double glass system is composed of operable windows that are able to be adjusted to provide a more comfortable living environment. I would implement this system by positioning the windows in a way to face each other where a “crossbreeze� effect is created. This allows for the flow of cool air that not only provides pleasant ventilation within my building but also utilize a passive cooling effect. The cool air enters the house through the lower windows. Then, the air gets heated up which enables the air to ravels upward and eventually exit out the upper windows.

Summer Solstice 10 AM

Summer Solstice 1 PM

Summer Solstice 11 AM

Summer Solstice 2 PM

Summer Solstice 12 PM

Summer Solstice 3 PM

Looking at how the sun reacts with the building at different hours throughout the day provides context with how much light enters into the building through the variety of materials used.

Looking at energy consumption within a household, it seems that most of the energy generated comes from heating and cooling systems within a designated space. Because of this, the materials that go into the design of a building plays a significant role in determining how heat is absorbed. Looking at newer technologies that could possibly alter how heat from the sun is reflected rather than absorbed can reduce energy usage. With this in mind, air conditioners would not need to be run at all times. I already started implementing some technologies within my building In terms of keeping the cold out while still enjoying the sunlight that comes through during the winter. Innovations such as translucent concrete, which contain insulation as well as having light transmissive properties, can resolve some of these issues. Although a drawback is translucent concrete is expensive to produce so they should be used in limited amounts. By simply replacing a few concrete walls with translucent concrete, I can possibly test out how much light is really allowed into the building.

By using solar energy, the inhabitants are able to utilize the energy generated from the solar panels on the roof and apply it to appliances within the house. This not only assists with creating a more energy efficient environment but also reduces the dependence on outside sources for energy.

As a way to emphasize even more passive sustainable methods, I decided to create a cantilevered element that extends along the transverse axis. This allows the sun to play with the spaces because the cantilevered roof provides shade in the summer as well as lighting in the winter. It also divides the house into a sheltered space for a balcony that falls below that connects different programs together.

Additionally, it creates a triple height space below to where the living room sits. It also spans across both points of entry which provide a momentary roof from precipitation before entering the house.