Blue Evolution: The Eco House, Dublin

The project was to construct a four bedroom family home which would demonstrate the application of intelligent & green technologies in Ireland.



DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION

The bathrooms, WC and utility spaces are located on the north side of the house, insulating the main living spaces of the house. Natural lighting and ventilation is achieved with sun and ventilation pipes.

The principal bedroom and living spaces are positioned facing predominantly southwards, with full aspect towards the private garden.

A glazed solar space wraps along the building acting as a thermal buffer, limiting the amount of exposed external wall area and offering an attractive internal microclimate throughout the year. The ceramic solar space floor provides a thermal flywheel and stores heat during the day for slow release during the evening.

Alpine sedum roofs are low maintenance and provide constant CO2 conversion back toxygen, slow down and reduce rainwater run-off and assist biodiversity.

Rain water is harvested from the sedum roofs, stored underground and used to flush the toilets. Off site fabrication items include foundations and timber framing, internal walls are clad with recycled gypsum and paper boards, eliminating plaster and wet trades and speeding up installation.

Floor, wall and roof cassettes are constructed from Engineered Wood I joists for structural stability, using single-skin panel construction.

Walls and roof are insulated using sheep's wool, and where possible locally produced, renewable materials have been used in the scheme. All windows are double glazed, with low-E glass and argon-filled cavities.


ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES

• Space heating is provided by an air twater heat pump.
• Domestic hot water is provided by the heat pump using night rate electricity.
• Facilities have been included for solar panels if required in the future.
• Photovoltaic panels are used tpower ventilation fans in wet areas.
• Dual flush toilets, reduce flow taps and rain water collection minimise water consumption.

INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES

• Whole house has networked cabling for IT, telephony and television.
• Low energy light fittings installed.
• Heating, lighting, communications and security are controlled by an Intelligent House Control which reduces energy consumption and provides intelligence tthe house.

PROJECT TEAM

• Client: Peter and Pamela Bonsall
• Project Management: Blue Evolution Limited
• Architects: Cole Thompson Anders
• Intelligent Systems: i&i limited
• Landscape & Environmental Consultant: Richard Webb & Assocs.