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‘A Room with a View’ - conceptual energy efficiency design

'A Room with a View' is the result of a close collaboration between architects and energy technology specialists at WSP in Sweden.

The project, carried out free of assumptions, explored how to economise with our finite resources and create an energy efficient residential structure using safe technology in an innovative way.   

The concept was introduced in November 2005 at an exhibition at the Swedish Gallery of Architecture and has proved highly successful and innovative.  Entered for the Hammarby Sjöstad's Environmental Technology Competition, our proposition won 1st prize, as presented by the King of Sweden, and was claimed as a "systematic and well executed presentation of combinable technical solutions to accomplish a low overall energy consumption".

The conceptual building aims to provide many residences in a small area; a home with 26 storeys with room for 160 flats of varying size and character. The design originated in a fundamental idea that a very well insulated building envelope encloses a compact structure with a repetitive carcass.

A high degree of prefabrication enables greater flexibility in planning.  The sun is used as the primary light and energy source.  Laminates in the glass shade or transfer light into each flat as needed.  Verdant greenhouses placed amongst the flats provide meeting space for residents, and there are rooms for laundry, parties and relaxation.  The basement is designed to have recharge stations for environmentally friendly vehicles.

The southern facade utilises solar heat for the building's energy supply.  Heat pump technology and the ground beneath the building will be exploited for naturally stored geothermal heat which will be augmented with surplus solar heat during the summer. The system gives the building a very low need for supplemental energy.

The super-insulated hybrid windows have integrated air cooling and air warming. New solar shading technology prevents unwanted excessive tem­peratures and simultaneously transmits light into the ceiling, providing the sensation of daylight in the innermost reaches of the room.

A heavy building framework with a low-temperature self-regulating floor heating / cooling maximises the exploitation of direct solar insulation and surplus heat from household appliances. This gives a comfortable in­door climate and the possibility of air conditioning in the summer.

Ventilation must be controlled in a tight and well-insulated building. The forced air supply and exhaust air system, which can be controlled on demand by the residents, provides highly efficient heat recovery. The system permits filtering of supply air and screening out a noisy external environment.

WSP is now developing 'A room with a view' into concepts for hotels, retirement homes and more traditional residential habitation.

Contact: goran.werner@wspgroup.se