Architect
Dietrich Schwarz in Switzerland shows that transparent (low energy) architecture
is also possible. He therefor designed two homes that are fitted all around
with a transparent insulation enclosure. The façades consist of a
transparent insulation material (polycarbonate) that is protected on the
outside by hardened-glass sheets. On the inside, behind the transparent
pipes of polycarbonate, is an air cavity of 2 cm, and behind that black
steel sheets on a concrete inner cavity sheet. The façade works as an
energy trap just like the fur of a polar bear. The incoming sun-energy
is absorbed and accumulated.
Typical for homes that use passive sun-energy is that they are closed on the north and open to the south, unlike the design by Schwarz which is oriented on the north. This is possible because the warmth-accumulating concrete plates are only needed on the south, the east and west. While the north façade opens to the most interesting view, the other façades have small vertical openings with French balconies.
To prevent these homes from heating up too much in the summer, the cavity behind the isolation material can be ventilated. That happens via grating under the façade and above at the edge of the roof. On the roof there are sun boilers that actively receive the warmth. Whether the Swiss project really will have a null-energy usage over the year, will have to be seen in the coming years from the evaluation.
jv