ETFE-house by Matthew R Bugg
Introduction
The concept behind the building was to produce a well lit, naturally ventilated lightweight
dwelling which developed a transparency with its surroundings both inside and out to
encourage a wall-less living arrangement.
Basic elements of land, shelter, habitat and sky are employed (c-1, c-3) with
technologically advanced materials to produce a natural and flexible response.
The living accommodation has minimal impact both in its use of materials and footprint.
The space can be flexibly inhabited and respond to a variety of typologies.
The model of living for this prefabricated house is based on an approach seen in urban
apartment living where maximum floor area is created with minimum impact from
services and concealment for storage. This prefabricated house transcends the urban
type model and allows the physical building structure to locate and relocate freely
outside of urban and suburban parameters.
Structure
The building is raised from the land using a central core which houses essential services
(c-2). These are water, mechanical, electrical and circulation. The central core can be
assembled of prefabricated building blocks and sits on a concrete pad foundation. The
raising of the building proved efficient not only in terms of shelter and footprint but also
security maintained at the façade level.
Anchored off this central core a lightweight space frame is cantilevered to provide the
single floor-plate for the main living area (a-1). Beneath this floor-plate a sheltered
space is formed which functions as a car garage, outdoor recreation area and garden.
The structural space frame is based on a 4m X 4m grid and forms 3 sub-divisions within
each façade which relate directly to internal space arrangements. The frame is
equilateral and can be cantilevered or hung providing flexible structural solutions.
Facade
The building façade itself acts a large filter for natural daylight, provides cross ventilation,
break-out spaces onto balconies and views to the outside as well as from the outside (e1). This is achieved by two materials which fit within the main structural frame, glass and
ETFE. The building benefits from excellent natural light and bi-folding doors provide
clear views and access onto balconies.
To develop the concept of transparency a radical approach in material was used by
taking ETFE and applying it to this residential application. Not only does the material
allow an interesting environmental solution but it also blurs the boundary between living
spaces by providing a permeable translucency that evokes light, shade and connection.
The material appearance changes under varying light conditions it may appear opaque
under direct sunlight or transparent when backlight with internal lights. The theme of
wall-less living is continued inside with the use of sliding partitions maximizing flexible
space.
The ETFE pillows which predominately make up the façade fix directly into the structural
frame (a-1). Each pillow consists of three sheets of ETFE (Ethylene Tetra Fluoro
Ethylene) foil welded together along the sides, one on top of the other, with layers of air
pumped in between them. The air layers provide increased insulation without decreasing
the amount of sunlight that shines through. The great thing about the pillows is that they
are adjustable; on a colder day, they can be pumped up with more air to provide better
insulation; on a hotter day, they can be partially deflated to allow more cooling. As well
as this the external layer is pattern-etched to provide additional reflection of direct sun
thus reducing thermal gain.
This project acts as a catalyst in advancing EFTE material use in prefabricated
housing. The following benefits illustrate why this tough material is ideal. ETFE weighs
less than 1% of the equivalent sized pane of glass, needs less steel to hold it up and lets
more light through. ETFE is recyclable and long lasting with a life span of over 25 years.
A single inflated pillow can take the weight of a rugby team. ETFE is non-stick and
therefore self cleaning
Cladding
The building roof (p-3) and underbelly is clad with lightweight steel panels and while this
is both recyclable and sustainable the most important function is its heat-deflecting
coating which combined with insulation reduces energy consumption. Housed within the
roof void is a large water tank which sits over the main core recycling rainwater for
domestic use. Tubular metal foils puncture the roof to allow light down into the stair
housed with in the core (s-2). On top of the roof solar panels can be accommodated by
clipping to the sheet panels’ standing seams.
The main living space
The main living area is divided into 9 spaces including the main core (p-1).
All spaces can be opened open to form one single space (excluding the core, and
bathrooms) through the use of sliding partitions which determine the space as public or
private when required. Simple and expressive detailing in the buildings frame allows
these sliding partitions to fit flush into a vertical metal plate which interfaces the
connection between the ETFE panel and structural frame (d-3). The central core houses
the staircase, the kitchen worktop and cupboards, the sliding partitions, a toilet, laundry
and storage/wardrobe space for the bedrooms. The rest of the living area is divided into
2 bedrooms, 2 en-suite bathrooms, kitchen, dining, lounge, TV room, and study. While
the core houses all the necessary and/or desired functional and utilitarian programs of
the home the remaining living area becomes flexible space providing a spatial and
adaptable open zone where all the activities of daily living can take place.
Storage consists of simple modules allocated either side of the core which conceal the
sliding partitions (r-2). Garage storage is facilitated in the large cupboards at ground
floor level accessible either side of the main core. Future development could permit the
use of this space for hydrogen cells required to power hydrogen fuelled vehicles which
may recharge directly from this space.
Environment
The building structure and skin make it extremely adaptable to many environments. The
building version presented here is not intended as a definitive solution but a
representation of one material combination. For example in a hotter environment where
more privacy is required a number of opaque metal insulated panels may be
implemented into the frame reducing thermal gain and increasing privacy. The building
is an environmental tool which can use natural resources and flexible adaptations to
remain unique to each environment.
Future developments
Future developments, in materials alone, like ETFE may see such innovations as clear
integrated lenses in the panels which provide clear views to the outside (f-1). Panels
could even become naturally responsive to weather and climate changes through
movement of hairy cells on the external layer (f-2). A number of possibilities are
accommodated within what has already been proven such a flexible material in the
commercial sector.
The building plan and layout provides an infinitely flexible way to live. This level of
flexibility should be inherent in a society which advances technology so quickly and
constantly challenges and questions the way in which we interact and communicate.
I hope you have enjoyed my presentation and the possibilities that may arrive with it,
Kind regards
Matthew R Bugg