Architecture & Design | 23
all and to make the house respond to its environment in
such a way that the user can enjoy flexibility in an adaptive
controlled internal space.
Having a North-South orientation the cross ventilation is
regulated through its (now) large opening at each end of
the property while the penetration of light comes from
the same openings at each level as well as a new skylight
over the additional staircase and the large openings in the
central courtyard. The recovery of rainwater from the roof
levels is pumped back into a water storage tank strategically
located in the centre of the house which in turn runs
through the underfloor heating, water cisterns and irrigation
systems throughout the property which helped
cultivate a green environment without water over-
consumption.
The technological introduction into the property
takes on a prominent technical role in this new
language since these additions allow the regulation
of the natural moisture, temperature, light levels
and acoustics of the house. The house interior
automatically responds to the external environment
through its intentionally located sensors, which
communicate with the intelligent make up of the
heating, cooling and solar control systems all of
which adapt the internal environment to suit the
end user.
MODEL successfully updated and adapted this
derelict property to the present, to new materials
and to modern ways of life.
