Buy yourself some breathing space

By: CTA|Creative Architects

Buy yourself some breathing space A uniquely designed home that keeps the toxins from the outdoors away

According to recently published scientific research, indoor air quality is more polluted than the air outside. Therefore, most of our discussions with clients focus on the idea of a house which is capable of ‘breathing’ throughout the day and night. The Wall House is an example of this breathable solution.

Throughout the design process, the Wall house was shaped gradually: the house is made up of eight separate spaces surrounded by ordinary walls. These eight blocks are interspersed and intersect at a common space, which is formed by the ‘breathing walls’.

The ‘breathing wall’ consists of two elements. The open wall system is the first layer to prevent pollution entering from the outside environment. This protection shell is made of hollow bricks that are lined up in the opposite direction of the conventional method of construction. With such an arrangement, these hollow bricks afford a circulation of fresh air and natural light into the house. With their unique features and unconventional colours, burnt-defective bricks are reused in a new, harmonious and more environmentally friendly form.

The garden space is a second layer to prevent the negative impact of the external environment on the living space inside. The abundance of greenery helps to clean the air and creates an effective buffer zone.

Together, these two protective layers are equivalent to a normal wall but the important difference being they ensure the circulation of air and light, resulting in a healthier living space.