Our
house Sustainable
Sustainability
more than a buzzword is sure health, welfare and the extension of our
existence here on the planet. Many still find a practice linked to
the "hippies". Others consider it to be too costly and
difficult to put these concepts into practice. Except that we forget
that this whole line of reasoning should be adjusted and adapted to
each region and the very way of life of the individual.
Develop
a sustainable home here in New Hamburg - RS, city near Porto Alegre.
Many of the elements and use techniques that have been used before,
but not for this purpose. For this project to be developed some
factors were decisive:
1
- Choose Area:
We
take into account your location and proximity to "schools"
(we have three schools nearby), "Hospitals and Medical Centers"
(located two blocks from the Clinical Center and Hospital Regina),
"Markets and Bakeries" (maximum four blocks) . Thus, we
reduce car use and increase physical activity.
2
- Living and Working:
We
chose to run our office along with the house. This practice also
allows a better interaction with the family significantly reduces
automobile use.
3
- The Design and Technique Constructive:
The
entire project was conceived, since the reduction and reuse of
excavation / earth moving, sun position, ventilation and natural
lighting, recycling water tank and washing machine to garden watering
and maintenance until the reuse of rainwater to the toilets to wash
sidewalks and irrigation.
We
chose to perform the work with materials that offer a good thermal
and acoustic insulation and there was no need to finish and they were
later found in our region. The solid brick and is a material "common"
and simple implementation avoids the use of columns and fits
perfectly in the above specifications. We add to this, the
performance of the entire network hydraulic, and electrical
hidrossanitária along with the implementation of double walls,
rationalizing the construction and waste materials.
The
entire floor has been executed in concrete "polished",
besides having a high resistance dispensed with the use of other
types of coatings.
The
frames were glazed acoustic or 8mm tempered and were executed in PVC,
reducing maintenance care.
The
electricity consumption has reduced due to the use of compact lamps
or LEDs.
All
water heating and showers will be with solar collectors.
Coverage
of home runs with a cover crop (Ecotelhado - decreased water flow
would be directed to rainwater, improving the conditions of
environmental comfort and visual landscape of buildings.
The
climate of the whole house was complemented by the use of an
integrated system developed for this residence which features natural
air conditioning (geothermal system) and the Canadian fireplace (hot
air system that leads to all rooms of the house), thus reduced the
air conditioning system and heating.
The
openings were focusing more solar pergola with vegetation. The walls
were covered with eons, dispensing paint. The inks used are water
based.
Finally,
all the sidewalks were performed with the reuse of bricks.
All
these elements described above and care made this project unique,
differentiated and a landmark for the region, proving that it is
possible to construct, respecting the environment and it's not as
complicated as it sounds. All these home care made this economically
viable and sustainable not to mention the satisfaction of knowing
that we are contributing to the future.
Architect
Luis Maldaner and Staff