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Earthwood House by Alexandros Kitriniaris |
Home > Winners > Design #54728 >Interview |
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FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
AK: The choice of wood as a structural material for the house is connected, aside from its bioclimatic qualities, with wooden triremes and more specifically with the naval battle of Salamis, one of the most important historical events in Western civilization. Likewise, the selection of earth as a structural material for the wall, is not only connected to the symbolic boundary where the Persian invasion was halted by the Greek allied fleet, but also with the earth itself, as a raw local material.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
AK: Earthwood integrates sustainable technological innovation processes with handcrafted design techniques. The architectural composition comprises four main principles of sustainability, i.e. the Fertile Ground, the Green Canopy, the Earth Wall and the Wood House. The use of recyclable materials and renewable energy sources creates a unique architectural experience by improving living conditions, minimizing the ecological footprint as well as maximizing the positive impact on communities and on the environment.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
AK: This specific award gives us a boost to carry on in the same creative vein, giving each project a unique treatment.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
AK: The architectural design started in May 2016 in Athens. The construction is expected to be delivered between 2017-2018.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
AK: Our firm was commissioned to produce this specific project. Our clients asked us to create a bioclimatic country house that would be self-sufficient through renewable energy sources and sound water management, and would be constructed from natural and recyclable materials.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
AK: Earthwood integrates advanced energy and water utilization processes regarding its bioclimatic operation. The architectural composition takes advantage of the sun orientation and rain water, firstly with the installation of building integrated photovoltaic panels, and secondly with the installation of water reservoirs which collect rainwater and recycle it either for household use or for irrigation. The Green Canopy enhances user interaction, while also creating shaded courtyards.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
AK: “Earthwood” has a special meaning as it is derived from the synthesis of two words referring to natural, recyclable materials that the building is made of. Earth is the raw material for the rammed earth wall, while the structural cross laminated timber paneling system of the house is made of wood.
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
AK: Earthwood is composed from environmental friendly natural materials, such as structural wood and stabilized rammed earth. The house is constructed from structural cross laminated timber panels, which are fabricated and delivered on site. The rammed earth construction process takes place in situ with the use of a sliding formwork. The construction is finished when the formwork is removed leaving visible layers of compacted earth.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
AK: The energy autonomy of the house is achieved with the installation of integrated photovoltaic panels (BIPV) on the 10 degrees pitched roof which are connected with a 14kWh Powerwall battery. The house consumes an average of 1.2 kWh/day when populated by 4 residents. The stored electrical power is also used to heat water for household usage and for heat convection through water pipes integrated inside the rammed earth wall. In addition, bearing in mind the annual rainfall data in Attica Basin, two water reservoirs with a total capacity of 86.80 m3 will collect rainwater from the specially designed surfaces and roof, and recycle it either for household use or for irrigation. Water recycling is achieved after treatment processes with sand-filters and disinfection systems powered by the stored solar energy.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
AK: The research methodology regarding the structural cross laminated timber panelling system is related to the construction analysis of bearing structure, with the intention of creating a unified corner opening totalling 11m in length without the use of supporting columns. The next research methodology regarding the rammed earth wall concerns CAD/CAE simulation and laboratory examination of the behavior of compacted layers of earth in the specific environment, or in a possible seismic reaction.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
AK: The main challenge of the project was to think about an architecture module that can be constructed in a limited timetable, i.e. 2-4 days, that is composed of natural, recyclable materials so that the construction can be reversed, to be completely autonomous through sound management of renewable energy and water sources, while simultaneously raising awareness of environmental legislation compliance in order to reduce the ecological footprint in the social and historical perspective.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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