Prefabricated housing firm Baufritz has collaborated with designer Alfredo Häberli to show that a house can be large, luxurious, and green. Their prototype residence gets all its electricity from solar power, and also has a neat secondary smaller dwelling attached by bridge that's designed as a home for grandparents.
Located next to Baufritz's headquarters in Bavaria, Germany, Haussicht (or Home View) serves as a show home for the company and comprises a total floorspace of 4,280 sq ft (397 sq m), spread over two main floors, plus a wine cellar basement. The home is built primarily from wood and its distinctive look is inspired by an upturned boat.
On the first floor, two kids bedrooms share a bathroom and the master bedroom has its own ensuite. Upstairs lies a large kitchen and dining area and lounge, and a large deck, which also serves to shade the floor below. The interior is a very nice example of Scandinavian-style interior design and is open, inviting and spacious.
The main house is linked by footbridge to a secondary, smaller dwelling that could serve as guest house. Baufritz says it's inspired by the custom of Swiss farmers building themselves a small retirement dwelling when they pass the farm to their kids and is intended for elderly parents or grandparents. It's a nice little pad in its own right and includes a single bedroom, dining area, kitchen, and lounge, with access gained by the bridge or a small elevator.
The sustainable technology and design for this build is significant. Haussicht is relatively air-tight, which means that it requires little energy to heat or cool. On-demand ventilation ensures there's a steady supply of fresh air and power comes from a large roof-based solar panel array. Any excess juice can be used to charge an EV with an integrated charging point.
Heating and cooling duties are handled by a ground source heat pump. This is connected to an underground energy storage tank and a solar thermal system. In winter, even without solar input, the system produces some heat by being buried in the ground, where it's warmer than above-ground.
We've no word on how much a home based on the prototype will cost to build, but it likely won't be cheap.
Source: Baufritz
I'm saying nothing mom....