Hybrid House, by konyk

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Our friends from konyk, who designed the Girasole House for the Andes Sprouts Society residency studio competition a couple of weeks ago, just shared with us the Hybrid House, a sort of companion project that was the genesis for the Girasole project.

More images and architect’s description after the break.

HYBRID HOUSE

Modeled after the successful Prius Hybrid automobile by the Toyota Motor Company, HYBRID HOUSE is intended to be an electric house completely off the local utility grid. By manipulating the surface area for maximum solar exposure and utilizing thin battery packs embedded the foundation slab, HYBRID HOUSE converts the sun into AC current to run all of the utilities of the house. In the event of cloudy or snowy days, a bio-fuel back up generator kicks in to allow seamless power utilization.

The central volume is constructed of 12-1/4″ thick structural insulated panels, which have an R-value of 58. Not only are the SIP panels self-supporting, the lightweight pre-cut panels require little energy to transport, and are easily assembled with manual tools and labor at the job site. Fenestration and doorways are achieved by cutting holes through the structural insulated panels, and then capping with standard flashed operable skylight and storefront systems.

Formally, the surfaces of the volume are angled to maximize solar and water harvesting. The sun facing exterior surfaces are covered by a new product which is a single roofing membrane coated in a photovoltaic film, which converts solar radiation into electricity. The power generated by the PV skin is stored in deep cycle batteries located in the floor slab. During sunny conditions, the skin produces enough electricity to meet all of the electrical needs of HYBRID HOUSE, as well as a surplus, which is stored in additional reserve batteries. In the absence of sunlight the batteries are charged in part by a bio fuel generator located in the utility accessory building. The shade facing facades are covered in a “cool roof” single-ply membrane, which is applied on site in strips. The rubber membrane sheds water from rainfall into a water catchment system, for re-use in grey water systems, such as toilets, as well as for irrigation of the exterior yard. The moat has the added function of cooling air that passes over it before it enters into the thermal slab. A pond in the rear yard that is attached to the water shedding system cools the surrounding garden in the summer months through evaporation, while also filtering dust particles out of the air.

Hot air and cold air are mechanically introduced at the floor level through a displacement ventilation system. This system is fed by fresh air from the exterior, which is tempered by the poured concrete thermal slab atop which the home sits. The lofty height of the interior creates a “stack effect”, with hot air rising above the common areas before being re-conditioned or expelled. Electrical venting skylights at the ceiling open to expel accumulated hot air during the summer months, while admitting warming sunlight into the space during the winter months. The sleeping quarters are isolated from the larger living space, allowing for targeted heating and cooling during the evenings, reducing heating and cooling demands in the main space. Heating in is provided by heat pump supplied through the floor slots. Hot water heating loads are also reduced through the use of a solar water-heating panel located at the roof, with additional heating provided by an electric water heater connected to the photovoltaic system. A rear utility shed acts as the mechanical room, containing the electric converters and bio-fuel generator. Its separation allows for segregation of noise from the house.

 
 
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Lucas Gray says:

I don’t know if I would want to live in a house like this.

 
# April 13, 2009 at 14:36
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tchouah says:

between horrible and useless… I guess hybride so…

 
# April 13, 2009 at 16:01
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fb says:

Part of being a good architect is not only creating innovative buildings but to also not disrupt the line of vision in a neighbourhood. And this is like a piece of poop in a pool of diamonds.

 
# April 13, 2009 at 16:56
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George says:

The mechanisms and devices by which it would achieve its sustainable goals have clearly been flushed out – and for that, I give them credit. But I entirely agree about the comments made on the design. Arguably, its the same issue that kept hybrid cars from gaining acceptance (why did they always have to cover the back wheels?! Why always lime green cars?! http://www.autoseekandsell.com/userimages/MVC-010F.JPG) Take a lesson from the Prius and don’t ‘cover the back wheels’ of your house because, fundamentally, there are a lot of ideas in your design!

 
# April 13, 2009 at 18:40
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evap says:

on the hoof of sustainability form, material and the window-assembly are easy to understand – good job!

 
# April 13, 2009 at 19:31
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ppf24 says:

For a residential house, the priority of rationality, comfortability and convenience should be much higher than the pursuit of fancy shape. Personally I don’t like this proposal. It’s refreshing in concept, but I doubt people will enjoy living in such odd space.

 
# April 13, 2009 at 20:47
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jlbr says:

and to top it all off, part of the exterior looks camouflaged, it’s got that army look, aagghhh!!!!

 
# April 13, 2009 at 20:54
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arch critic says:

FUMBLE.COM/KONYK

 
# April 13, 2009 at 23:05
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sgurin says:

Я, в таком пространстве не стал бы жить.
I am in such a space would not have to live.

 
# April 14, 2009 at 00:43
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NB says:

I think like you Lucas Gray .

 
# April 14, 2009 at 00:56
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Anna Flawia says:

I suppose it is just a joke, the shape isn’n fanciful, in my opinion it’s casual.

 
# April 14, 2009 at 03:01
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man says:

what ugly renders – “funny” 0815 “architecture” tss

 
# April 14, 2009 at 11:30
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konyk says:

the form is dictated by solar angles. it uses a new thin-film PV product (http://www.heliovolt.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=46) for direct adherence to the surface. the other skin is recycled single-ply rubber salvage material cut into 1 foot squares and reused. it is a matter of fact design strategy.

 
# April 14, 2009 at 13:44
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cleo driscoll says:

this house is definitely unique! cant say ive ever seen anything like it.. this house in marin is also really interesting: http://mygreenpalette.com/projects/detail/81

 
# April 14, 2009 at 19:28
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seth says:

this is F*(KN awful!…who would wanna live in something that looks like a hobgoblin shack from some randome fairytale story…Come on lets be more serious!

 
# April 14, 2009 at 20:45
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katanaman says:

fugly.

 
# April 15, 2009 at 09:31
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hmmm, think I spy my plywood textures… http://www.flickr.com/photos/pg/sets/72157605953414830/

 
# April 23, 2009 at 06:34
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    door mat says:

    who takes giant pictures of plywood

     
    # February 1, 2010 at 21:04
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Karen Gonzalez says:

Es netamente funcionalista, ya que su parte estetica tanto interior como exterior no corresponde con sus vecinos y sin contar que su diseño no es muy acogedor para los seres humanos. El color rojo de sus paredes al interior es estresante.

Interesante a nivel bioclimatico:

-El estudio del sol durante todo el año
- Las ventanas de la fachada lateral estan ubicadas en cada uno de los recorridos del sol.
- El color negro de la fachada aprovecha de la mejor manera la luz solar.
-Las claravoyas que dan luz al interior, hacen que no se necesite gastar luz electrica en el dia.

Karen Gonzalez

 
# July 17, 2009 at 07:42
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christopher says:

student project?

 
# October 28, 2009 at 00:38

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