It is a popular misconception that anything green, clean and eco-friendly has to be boring, dull and a compromise on luxury and lavishness. That myth is being constantly shattered with modern green constructions going green in such a grand way that they are starting put the traditional and not-so-green structures to shame. Modern green sky-scrapers and eco-friendly homes are taking shape across the planet and the architectural brilliance of next generation of designers is being exhibited in their amazing amalgamation of the bling with the planet friendly.
Bill Dunster’s ZedFactory has unveiled plans for a luxury eco-home in an area of outstanding natural beauty outside Bath. The 700sq m Bath Springs building, which has planning permission and will serve as a family home for local businessman Andrew Mercer, is built into a steep south-facing slope. It makes use of insulation, orientation, thermal mass and earth sheltering to minimize energy consumption.
The house will be spread over four floors and will boast a laminated timber frame, Bath stone retaining walls, and thermally massive floors made of terracotta. It will also include a super-insulated passive solar facade, integrated solar hot water panels, low-flush toilets and low-energy domestic appliances, rainwater storage, solar electric panels, a wood-pellet boiler, wind turbine and wind cowls to passively ventilate the building. The most stunning aspect of the structure is that it will generate more renewable energy on site during the building’s anticipated life than was used to build the structure, and then to sustain its subsequent occupants. That is something truly remarkable.
Via: bdonline
