Diseño Earle is an international architecture firm known for unique,and often ecologically minded, projects around the world. Their latestdesign responds to a brief “to design and build a large and modern zerocarbon footprint villa” in Southern Spain. The result is The Eco House,a modern luxury villa that holds up its name with a variety ofenvironmentally friendly features including a chemical free canal thatfacilitates cooling.The most apparent feature of The Eco House is the butterfly roofwhich serves several purposes. The angle allows the roof integratedsolar panels to sit at the optimum angle for solar energy harvesting.The roof also creates a space around the building exterior wherethermal air currents are created. As air passes across the roof, thebuilding is cooled and ventilated through adjustable louvered vents onthe main roof. A double glass facadefunctions in a similar way around the building, and the entirestructure is built above a 30cm deep canal which enhances the naturalcooling and ventilation.The modern, glass filled design allows plenty of natural light intoliving spaces, while a natural, saline pool helps keeps chemicals out.The building stores grey water in holding tanks in the basement, andfeatures a rainwater harvesting system to manage and conserve water.The rooftop photovoltaicssupply electricity to a radiant floor heating system that works intandem with the natural ventilation of the building which retains andremoves heat by natural thermal draws throughout the structure. Ageoexchange system provides backup heating and cooling.
www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/16/modern-eco-villa-for-southern-spain-by-diseno-earle/