Technical description

Site

The 1000 sqm plot is a narrow, rectangular, gently sloping area. On the northern side it is separated from the neighbor by a tall hedge. On the southern side there is an access stripe and beyond it the corner of a triangular plot covered with lush vegetation. The street runs along the eastern side, with dense woodland on its other side. The neighbor using the access stripe is located on the western side. Their house is nicely distanced from the border, with just a few windows facing the plot. The gentle slope provides prefect conditions for the separation of the two dwelling units by means of level offsetting.

 

Composition of the Building

 

The building is divided into two residential units, detached both via structural disconnection and level offset due to the terrain. Their respective car storage areas in the basement are also separated, with a joint corridor access. The two units practically function as two fully detached family houses. Even their short common wall is carefully separated by soundproofing. In addition, level offset and an additional soundproofing panel installed between the terraces ensures full intimacy.

 

The two residential units are very similar, both multi-storey, boasting pergola covered terraces and private garden areas. The mass is a modern version of the house archetype, adapted to the lifestyle of the modern age. The ground floor is occupied by a spacious ensemble of living spaces, with covered but open terraces connecting the garden and the interior. The high-ceilinged living spaces have been designed to provide in all seasons the best possible setting for both private time and social gatherings.

 

Large, shaded terraces and dense, woody greenery ensure cool air in the summer, even without air conditioning. And in winter, when the sun is lower in the sky, the structure allows the warming rays to pass through the large glass surfaces, which supports heating. The accompanying  play of light creates a graceful effect. The space is made spectacular in the summer by the striped shadows, and cozy in the winter by the abundance of light entering.

 

Sleeping units have been created both upstairs and downstairs from the living area. The advantage of this layout is that the bedrooms are not all on the same level. This allows for a separate upstairs level for the family and a possible guest and study area on the downstairs level, which can alternatively be used either as a fitness-spa or separate living area for a family member. The rooms on the garage level can also be accessed separately from the garden, an important advantage for certain functions.
 

Supporting structure

 

The building is based on a monolithic reinforced cement concrete slab foundation. The walls in the ground are also monolithic RCC. The retaining walls in the garden are made of monolithic RCC with an exposed surface. The vertical load-bearing structures above ground level are Porotherm 30 N+F brick masonry, RCC piers and wall frames. The roof is a RCC coffered slab with a slight slope and asymmetrical design.
 

Thermal insulation

 

It was a key aspect in the design of the building to provide it with extra insulation, in order to minimize the energy used for cooling and heating. It is very important that not only are the walls and roof insulated according to the latest standards, but the large windows and doors have also been designed to maximize the integrity of the thermal envelope via their triple glazing.

 

Materials

 

The retaining walls around the building are made with an exposed concrete surface. The façades of the house are rendered, one unit in a dark grey color, the other one greyish blue. The terraces are covered by an aluminum louvered screening system, sintered in anthracite grey, framed by RCC pillars and surrounds. Optionally, this also be made (in part or fully) with closable, rotating louver slats. The roof’s finish is an anthracite grey sheet metal cover. The windows and doors are made of powder-coated anthracite aluminum on the outside and wood on the inside, with 3 layers of glazing. In front of the windows and doors there is a jalousie system with rotating louvers and hidden casings. The terraces are covered with large gres ceramic tiles. The interiors can be covered according to individual requirements.
 

Machinery

 

Gas is not used for heating and cooling the building. This is solved entirely by renewable energy. The machinery of the unit is completely independent from that of the other one. An air-source heat pump generates heating and cooling through the floors and ceilings. The energy powering the heat pump is provided by low-cost geo-tariff electricity. The temperatures can be individually controlled in each room.

 

The indoor units of the system are located in the basement mechanical room, together with the domestic hot water tank. The outdoor unit is located behind the trashcan storage, covered by an aluminum soundproof panel. Overall, the building is cooled and heated at a very reasonable price thanks to good insulation, thorough shading and the use of renewable energy. The installation of solar panels is also an option.
 

Electricity

 

The apartment has a separate electric meter and a separate electrical system. The basic electric meter is complemented by a geo-tariff meter, which provides a favorable tariff for the operation of the heat pump system. In order to make the keep the two units of the building as independent as possible, only a tiny portion of the equipment operates on a shared system. These include the garage door, fence gates, ramp heating and lighting in the common garage driveway and lighting along the passenger access walkway. Everything else belongs to the private units. The position of the lights, sockets and outlets is not specified and can be individually determined. The cooling-heating, shading system, entrance gates and part of the lighting can be controlled from a Fibaro smart system in the building or remotely.
 

Acoustics

 

The building was designed with special attention on acoustics. Fortunately, the street and the surroundings are very quiet. But for a peaceful living space it is also important to minimize the penetration between the two units. This is ensured by structural disconnection. The common wall is only optically common. The soundproofing masonry is separated right down to the foundation, with fiber-reinforced soundproofing material installed between the two layers. A solid sound insulation panel with plant cover is also installed between the two terraces. This gives a very aesthetic and perfectly separating result. The floor between the levels of the apartment will receive step sound insulation, so that the steps upstairs will not disturb the occupants on the lower floors. The partition walls of the bedrooms are proposed with a layered soundproofing structure, but can of course be replaced with brickwork if required.