Architecture

Squid-inspired Dune House taps solar and wind for energy needs

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Dune House would be built into the sand dunes in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Dom Wipas
Dune House would consist of two floors, with more private areas like the bedrooms and this living room located downstairs
Dom Wipas
Dune House's kitchen and dining area would be open and light-filled
Dom Wipas
Dune House is reportedly scheduled for construction in late 2020
Dom Wipas
Dune House would get its power from solar panels and wind turbines
Dom Wipas
Dune House would feature a large solar panel array
Dom Wipas
Dune House would be built into the sand dunes in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Dom Wipas
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Here's an idea for a beach house with a difference, courtesy of Brooklyn-based Studio Vural. Named Dune House, the home would be built into the beach rather than on it like you might expect, and would run off-the-grid with solar panels and wind turbines.

Not to be confused with this Dune House, nor this other one either, Dune House is envisioned for Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Its distinctive design brings to mind the Edgeland Residence, though the firm doesn't mention Native American pit houses as an inspiration. Instead, a squid of all things provided that initial spark of creativity. Studio Vural head Selim Vural was on a nighttime fishing trip, when, spotting a squid's "flash" thought "If squids can power themselves, so should houses."

Dune House is reportedly scheduled for construction in late 2020
Dom Wipas

The interior would consist of two levels, with a gap in the middle separating the upper area into two halves. A large open kitchen and dining area is located upstairs, with a living room and more private areas like the bedrooms situated downstairs.

Solar panels and wind turbines would be located nearby, while the home being covered in all that sand and grass would also provide extra insulation.

"The un-plugged house has an autonomous power network, energized by a vast solar field and miniature wind turbines, designed to produce more clean energy than consumed," says Studio Vural. "This high energy efficiency is enabled by burrowing the house under the dunes, anchoring the foundation into geothermal temperatures of sand, consequently blanketing 80 percent of the envelope."

Dune House's kitchen and dining area would be open and light-filled
Dom Wipas

Naturally, building a home within sand dunes may pose a challenge with regard to planning regulations, especially with the obvious environmental concerns about disturbing a dune area. That said, OPEN Architecture managed it with the UCCA Dune Art Museum and, according to Dezeen, Dune House is scheduled to begin construction later this year.

Source: Studio Vural

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7 comments
paul314
So ya house can power itself if you have several houses worth of additional space for the solar array and the wind turbines. Oh, and ordinary dunes move.
vince
This is the way all homes in Tornado alley should be mandated to be built. Also they should be built ten to twenty feet above flood stage.
Jason P Usborne
This is a beautiful concept except for the prospects of climate change. Does this design take into account flooding? And then there is the issue of potable water and sewage.
Brian M
Also make it waterproof to allow for sea level rises!
myale
Not exactly seeing how this blends into the environment when as said by previous comments you have a massive array of solar panels or wind farm adjacent.
Douglas Rogers
The opposite of almost every house in the southwest, which has 4 in. slab foundation.
ArdisLille
It's beautiful, but geez, leave the dunes alone.