Ecuadorianarchitects Luis Velasco Roldan and Ángel Hevia Antuña have joinedforces to develop a 50 sq m (538 sq ft) green-roofed home called the Nelson Homero ESPE Prototype II. The aim was to create an energy-efficient housing prototype that combines natural materials with traditional building methods, which could be dismantled and moved to different locations for energy efficiency testing in different climates.
The lightweight home was developed with the department of Energy Efficiency and Mechanics at the University of Las Fuerzas Armadas. It's reported to be easy to dismantle and can be transported to different locations, without leaving too much of an impact on the surrounding environment.
It's built on top of a series ofconcrete and steel columns, which slightly raises the house above theground. The lower slab is filled with volcanic pumiceto provide superior insulation and thermal inertia, while palm rachisis used to insulate the home's walls. Therest of the structure is constructed using natural materials and locally-sourced wood varieties such as Eucalyptus and Ecuador Laurel.
Apre-existing tree bursts its way through the center of the home in its current location. Its green roof was made with double asphalt and seals the home in awatertightshell. The roof is also said to help reduce the surface temperature of the home, keeping the interiorcooler during the warmer months, while also preventing heat lossduring the winter months.
A sophisticated powermanagement and temperaturecontrolsystem has also been included, which monitors the home's interior climate and providesbetter research for strategies to maintain energy efficiency.
Theinterior of the home features slimline and built-in furniture, savingon space and materials. The open plan living room adjoins a European wall kitchen and dining area. This main area of the housefeatures a large floor to ceiling glass sliding wall, which opens outcompletely, extending the living area into the natural outdoorlandscape.
A good measure of storage space has been included along the walls,in the kitchen and underneath the sofa lounges. The home's layoutwraps around in such a way that there is little need for doorsbetween the rooms, but privacy is maintained in the sleeping areas,bathroom and study.
Thedouble bedroom comprises a built-in queen-sized bed with anelevated loft area above. The cute little loft features a glassceiling and offers an ideal spot for relaxing, reading a book or stargazing. The loft can also be transformed into a second sleeping zonewith the addition of a mattress.
A fully-equipped bathroom islocated in the center of the home, also boasting lots ofstorage space. The second entrance to the home leads into a study area, complete with a built-in desk and room for twopeople.
Thesmart home features an automated power management system that's linked to a series of motorizedshutters throughout the home, which provides shade from the sun whenthe solar gain is high, while also allowing sufficient natural light toenter the home. The system also prevents heat loss when it is coolerand is designed to maintain a constant internal temperature of20-21° C (68-70° F), even when outsidetemperatures drop to 12° C (53° F).
The entire home will be dismantled, packed, transported and reassembled in a number of different locations to test its energy efficiency in diverse weather conditions and climates.
Theoverall goal of the Nelson HomeroESPE Prototype II home is to reduce residential energyrequirements by 50 to 70 percent, compared to conventional buildings. We've contacted the creators for specific information regarding the home's power source and to back up their claims regarding the home's "superior" energy efficiency, but have yet to receive a reply.
Sources: Luis Velasco Roldan, Ángel Hevia Antuña via Archdaily
