This energyneutral villa in Berkel Enschot gave us a challange. A small plot and a big program. By changing the normal set up of sleeping on the first floor to sleeping in the basement and making a splitlevel half underground we were able to realise the program. Thus realising an gardenroof on top of the garage which is levelled with the living room.

On top of this we designed this house to become a small power plant. Besides the energy needed to heat the house and to provide it of the necessary power, enough energy is generated to charge an electric car.

The design shows that the facilities to achieve this have great aesthetic value. The insulated walls provide a clean look, the sharp lined shiny roof ensures a tight termination of the volume.

The Netherlands has a soft climate. In winter it can get cold and it is important that the facade provides a warm jacket. In the summer, however, it may be warm and this jacket also insulates against heat. Of course that is not enough to prevent overheating. It is very important to stop the sunwarmth on the outside.

While designing the dwelling sun orientation was important. To maximizes the light and the heat advantage of the sun we integrated solar screens. The assignment to create a energy positive house has become an important design principle and has contributed to the aesthetics of the building.

Energy facilities 

- Isolation and high efficiency windows 

- Full roof south-oriented solar panels 

- Ground-water heat pump for hot water, floorheating and cooling mode for floorcooling 

- Low temperature heating for a comfortable indoor climate and constant temperature 

- Balanced ventilation with heat recovery. 

- Integrated sun reduction in the windows.