Sustainability and construction
The house is constructed using the Siptec Duplex Wall structurally insulated panel (SIP) system, which comprises a CFC-free insulation sandwiched between timber OSB boards. A special internal board allows rebates to be chased into the wall for speedy installation of electrics. The house is designed on a 1200mm grid to match the standard size of a SIP panel. This reduces construction waste and allows for potential re-use of panels. A rotating wind cowl at the top of the roof provides ventilation. It rotates to produce positive pressure at the inlet and negative pressure on the leeward side of the cowl, allowing air to be drawn out of the house. The inlet and outlet ducts are brought together to enable the exchange of heat between outgoing and the cooler incoming air. This technique can be up to 70% efficient and reduces the need for additional heating in the home. Internal walls and ceilings are lined with Dupont Energain which compensates for the lack of thermal mass in the building. This new sheet technology slows down temperature increases within a room, reducing temperature peaks by as much as 7 degrees C, lessening the need for air conditioning in summer. As temperatures drop in winter, the absorbed heat in the panels is released, warming rooms and reducing the need for heating. Internally, the floors, walls and ceiling are lined with Homasote 440 Soundbarrier. This is a sound insulating board which is strong, has a high insulation value, and is made from heat compressed recycled paper. Water use is minimised through the collection of rainwater, which is used to irrigate the garden or for toilet flushing. The south-facing roof is lined with photovoltaics, which provide a large percentage of the home’s electricity. Each house can be also fitted with a ground source heat pump. Services are contained in one large service duct core. This service spine wall allows for ease of access and provides an additional acoustic barrier to adjacent homes.
Colour changing facade
Current material developments allow buildings to change colour with the temperature, transforming from light-absorbing to light-reflecting when the temperature rises above 18 degrees C. For the Filmic House, thermochromatic links could be incorporated into an embossed EPDM rubber finish which when welded to the façade would reduce the cost and complexity of installing rainscreen cladding systems and would also provide an air and watertight, yet breathable, wall construction. |
