SHAWL HOUSE
SHAWL HOUSE is a last generation passive single family house.
In order for a house to be classified as passive it has to be firstly correctly oriented, sunwise. The plot of the given situation is rectangular, with the main approach from a street at the north end. Eastwards and westwards the plot is blocked with buildings in neighboring plots leaving the southern direction the only one with unobscured view and space.
The house is situated in the northernmost end of the plot to free as much space as possible for a spacious sunny yard. The main entrance is naturally designed at the northwest corner of the plot, leading underneath a large canopy to serve as parking space as well as a physical mark of the entrance of the house.
The layout is directly influenced by the desire to create a passive house. Functions are organized on two levels whereas some of the attic areas can also be utilized. The entrance leads into a basic hallway dividing the first level clearly in two. Living, dining and kitchen are situated to the left right after the entrance, each facing south and directly connected to the southern porch and the yard. To the right the hallway ends at a bedroom, also benefiting south orientation, view and the spacious yard. Service areas and the stairway are blocked to the north; to the northeast a part of the first level is separated for access from the outside to fit in all installation machinery necessary for the house to be energy efficient and sustainable. The second level is designed as a partial level leaving double height above the living and dining areas. The spaciousness of the open air is combined with abundant sunlight coming from the tall windows directly into the heart of the house – the living room.
The stairway leads up to the second level into a gallery – a place to enjoy the view downwards as well as reach the attic via a small contracting stair. Two bedrooms and a bath occupy the level. The bedrooms both face southwards and enjoy a terrace overlooking the yard. The hall and the bathroom are again blocked to the north.
A twisted band creates the main form of the house – the band unites several different surfaces and thus generalizes the siluette. Timber siding is used for the band. The south and north facades are left simple and straight covered in black plaster in contrast to the natural timber tones on the roof and the terrace. The north has minimal windows enough to provide natural light for the service areas. The south on the contrary is abundantly glazed to let as much light as possible. The glazing is diminished after a model of the house is simulated in Design Builder to decrease energy loss.
Raised floors are designed on both levels of the house to make room for the necessary installation works. Heating uses re-cooperation unit and duct ways in the raised floor; the additional heat necessary is generated by a bio fuel. Bio-treatment plant allows for reuse of domestic wastewater. Rain water is also collected and used for irrigation.
Dipl. Ing. Gergana Milusheva, Dipl. Ing. Krasimira Mitova, Dipl. Ing. Milan Rashevski
