architecture 4 us

Green Architecture Design of U House for a Pro Surfer

Posted: 13 Sep 2012 10:00 PM PDT

U House is a sustainable home designed by Jorge Graça Costa, for a professional surfer José Gregório. This green architecture building is located in Ericeira which is a World Surfing Reserve, overlooking Saint Lorenzo Bay, on the top of hill. Energy efficiency and green features become important considerations for this house.

Just like its name, this sustainable building has U-shape, with a protected courtyard and pool in the middle. The modern design was adopted. Implicit sustainability avoids big pronouncements, not only designing a building fully controlled by sustainable features and merely aggregating raw materials. The project is focused on the application of good design and environmentally friendly strategies.

The green architecture building‘s position was considered very carefully to protect the house from prevailing winds, from the north in winter, and from the south in summer. It opens up to the west views. The target is to create a reinterpretation of ancient's Mediterranean patio houses with two long arms interconnected by a third body. There are three bedrooms, a bath plus the master suite
on the north wing, while the south wing contains the open floor plan living, dining and kitchen.

Some sustainable features applied in this eco construction, such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting system, biomass energy source, good insulation and the use of sustainable materials, such as recycled materials for interior. Passive design is applied. Glazing materials are used to provide natural daylighting. No chemicals are used for pool treatment.