Architecture

Dune House takes measured approach to energy-efficiency

Dune House takes measured approach to energy-efficiency
Dune House is located on the crest of a sand dune in North Holland (Photo: Erik Boschman)
Dune House is located on the crest of a sand dune in North Holland (Photo: Erik Boschman)
View 28 Images
Dune House is located on the crest of a sand dune in North Holland (Photo: Erik Boschman)
1/28
Dune House is located on the crest of a sand dune in North Holland (Photo: Erik Boschman)
Dune House measures a total of 350 sq m (3,767 sq ft), spread over three floors (Photo: Erik Boschman)
2/28
Dune House measures a total of 350 sq m (3,767 sq ft), spread over three floors (Photo: Erik Boschman)
Dune House features some energy-reducing technology, in the form of well-insulated windows, and an on-demand smart ventilation system which offers fresh air when required (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
3/28
Dune House features some energy-reducing technology, in the form of well-insulated windows, and an on-demand smart ventilation system which offers fresh air when required (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
The flat east-facing facade will eventually house an elevator and balcony (Photo: Erik Boschman)
4/28
The flat east-facing facade will eventually house an elevator and balcony (Photo: Erik Boschman)
Dune House overlooks the coast, with the sea just 300 m (985 ft) away (Photo: Erik Boschman)
5/28
Dune House overlooks the coast, with the sea just 300 m (985 ft) away (Photo: Erik Boschman)
Dune House is located on the crest of a sand dune in North Holland (Photo: Erik Boschman)
6/28
Dune House is located on the crest of a sand dune in North Holland (Photo: Erik Boschman)
The stairs are made from fast-growing poplar to reduce environmental impact (Photo: Erik Boschman)
7/28
The stairs are made from fast-growing poplar to reduce environmental impact (Photo: Erik Boschman)
The stairs will eventually be joined by an elevator (Photo: Liesbeth Vanderwal)
8/28
The stairs will eventually be joined by an elevator (Photo: Liesbeth Vanderwal)
The interior, like the rest of the house, is still a work in progress, but looks very attractive (Photo: Liesbeth Vanderwal)
9/28
The interior, like the rest of the house, is still a work in progress, but looks very attractive (Photo: Liesbeth Vanderwal)
The stairs are made from fast-growing poplar to reduce environmental impact (Photo: Erik Boschman)
10/28
The stairs are made from fast-growing poplar to reduce environmental impact (Photo: Erik Boschman)
The living quarters are upstairs (Photo: Erik Boschman)
11/28
The living quarters are upstairs (Photo: Erik Boschman)
A wood-burner helps keep the residents warm (Photo: Erik Boschman)
12/28
A wood-burner helps keep the residents warm (Photo: Erik Boschman)
Dune House measures a total of 350 sq m (3,767 sq ft), spread over three floors (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
13/28
Dune House measures a total of 350 sq m (3,767 sq ft), spread over three floors (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
The combined house and architectural studio's business area is located on the first floor, while the upper floors are residential (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
14/28
The combined house and architectural studio's business area is located on the first floor, while the upper floors are residential (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
The interior layout has a simple rustic charm (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
15/28
The interior layout has a simple rustic charm (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
Dune House overlooks the coast, with the sea just 300 m (985 ft) away (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
16/28
Dune House overlooks the coast, with the sea just 300 m (985 ft) away (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
The house features a wooden frame (Photo: Min2)
17/28
The house features a wooden frame (Photo: Min2)
Dune House was constructed for the owners of Min2 (Photo: Min2)
18/28
Dune House was constructed for the owners of Min2 (Photo: Min2)
Dune House serves as both architectural office and home (Photo: Min2)
19/28
Dune House serves as both architectural office and home (Photo: Min2)
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
20/28
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
21/28
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
22/28
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
23/28
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
24/28
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
25/28
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
26/28
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
27/28
Architectural drawing of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
Architectural drawings of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
28/28
Architectural drawings of the Dune House (Image: Min2)
View gallery - 28 images

Owners of Dutch architecture firm Min2, Jetty and Maarten Min, decided to build themselves a new combined house and studio. Since architecture is the pair's trade, you'd expect the resulting property to impress, and this indeed transpired: Dune House combines an attractive blend of traditional and modern Dutch styling with a measured approach to energy-efficiency, which includes a smart ventilation system, and energy usage monitor.

Dune House is located in North Holland, on the crest of a sand dune overlooking the coast, with the sea just 300 m (985 ft) away. The property measures a total of 350 sq m (3,767 sq ft), spread over three floors. During construction, Jetty and Maarten were keen to choose building and finishing materials which would visually complement the local surroundings, and so British clay tiles, bark-covered Douglas fir trunks, and exposed timber lend an unfinished rural charm.

The combined house and architectural studio's business area is located on the first floor, while the upper floors are residential (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)
The combined house and architectural studio's business area is located on the first floor, while the upper floors are residential (Photo: Sjaak Henselmans)

Inside, the ground floor of Dune House features storage areas, a bathroom, library, office, and a conference room. The entire space is designed for flexible use, and the inner walls are made of light materials such as MDF, so as to allow adjustments if necessary. The upper two floors contain the actual living quarters for the couple, and afford the best views of the coast.

Dune House also sports a energy-efficient technology in the form of well-insulated windows, and an on-demand smart ventilation system which offers fresh air when required. There's also an air source heat pump that powers the underfloor heating and hot water.

Dune House is still a work-in-progress, and rather than come to a final decision on what energy-reducing tech should be employed, the architects installed an energy-monitoring system to keep track of all energy usage. From here, the pair will eventually decide which types of technology to implement (solar power or wind turbines, for example), in order to minimize the home's energy footprint.

Source: Min2 via Inhabitat

View gallery - 28 images
3 comments
3 comments
piperTom
The pictures (esp. #1 & #2) show a large upper story window ensconced into the extended roof. There does not appear to be any gutter or diverter over that roof, so when it rains, the window will be flooded. This is good design?
jonathad
piperTom, by eliminating guttering you are reducing maintenance and avoiding a potential for decay, also the sills appear to be angled to avoid pooling. This is better than good design. It's brilliant.
Doug MacLeod
Great house, typical of the innovation and sheer quality of the new housing in North Holland. We could do with some more of this sort of thing in Wales instead of all those horrid inefficient bungalows, but I think that UK planning practices and building regulations hold us back. Regulation enacted to drive standards up eventually restricts improvements in quality and innovation unless it evolves with new materials, techniques and economic & environmental changes.