Everybody wants positive energy!

That is certainly the case with this project; the modest house has become a small power plant. Besides the energy needed to heat the house and to provide it of the necessary power, enough energy remains to recharge an electric car and also to illuminate the houses of some neighbors.

The design shows that the facilities to achieve this have great aesthetic value. Thick insulated walls provide a robust understated look, the sharp lined shiny roof ensures a tight termination of the volume and solar blinds on the south and west provide a powerful lining.

The Netherlands has a rather volatile climat. In winter it can get very cold and it is important that the facade provides a warm jacket. In the summer, however, it may be very 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 decisive. All the areas in need for a lot of light and heat are oriented on the sunny side. This maximizes the light and the heat advantage of the sun. The integrated solar blinds and screens holds out the sun in the warmer period. These sun blocking facilities have become an essential part of the design. The solar blinds on the south and west elevations are placed in plain sight and the canopy of the terrace is aligned in the same size.

The assignment to create a zero energy house has become an important design principle and has contributed to the aesthetics of the building.

Zero energy facilities
- Thick isolation and high efficiency windows
- 44 south-oriented solar panels
- Air-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. Entry of clean air above the window in the bathroom and discharge of air on the roof under the solarpanels.
- Integrated sun reduction; solar blinds in the kitchen (west) and living room (south) and a built-in screen in the bedroom (south side)