The Villa K, designed by Paul de Ruiter Architects blends into its surroundings and uses very little energy.
Sheathed in glass, steel and concrete, it’s built into a hillside found in Thüringen, a state in Germany. It comes complete with climate-optimization and a heat exchanger to regulate the temperature. There are solar panels located on the roof.
The living and bedroom areas are located on the south side, which stays a little warmer because it receives more sunlight. The walls on that side of the house are simply windows, letting in plenty of heat. Residents can enjoy the warmth on the south-side terrace. The garage (which can hold six cars!), mechanical rooms, hunting rooms, pantry, and entrance are all located on the north side.
The roof is made of moss and sedum, which stabilize temperatures. Architects put in a heat exchanger that stores hot or cold air in a heat pump, which can then be released for use later, depending on the user’s needs. It’s also attached to the underfloor heating and cooling system, which can be controlled manually from a computer system.
Image (c) Paul de Ruiter Architects
