No Footprint House Vaj Tsev Nyob Daim Qauv by Oliver Schutte is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award Nyiaj in Tsim Khoom Ruaj Khov, Hauj Lwm thiab Kev Tsim Ntsuab Competition Category.
NyiajKhoom Ruaj Khov· 2020
No Footprint House Vaj Tsev Nyob Daim Qauv
Client: A-01 (A Company / A Foundation)
A' Design Award Nyiaj Winner in Khoom Ruaj Khov Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #104782The Design
About No Footprint House Vaj Tsev Nyob Daim Qauv
NFH yog tsim rau kev tsim ntau, raws li lub thawv loj dua ntawm prefabricated hom thaj. Thawj qhov qauv tau tsim rau tsev neeg Dutch nyob rau sab qab teb kawg ntawm Costa Rica. Lawv tau xaiv ob chav pw ua ke nrog cov qauv hlau thiab ntoo thuv ntoo tiav, uas tau xa nws mus rau nws qhov chaw nyob ntawm ib lub tsheb loj. Lub tsev yog tsim nyob ib ncig ntawm lub hauv paus pabcuam kev pabcuam txhawm rau txhawm rau ua kom muaj txiaj ntsig zoo logistical txog kev sib dhos, txij nkawm thiab siv. Lub phiaj xwm nrhiav rau kev ua kom ruaj khov nyob rau hauv cov nqe lus ntawm nws txoj kev khwv nyiaj txiag, ib puag ncig, kev sib raug zoo thiab dav.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award Nyiaj
No Footprint House Vaj Tsev Nyob Daim Qauv yog tus yeej ntawm A' Design Award Nyiaj, ib qho kev lees paub muaj meej mom heev tshaj li qub uas muab rau cov qauv tsim qib siab, zoo nkauj thiab ua rau neeg xav tsis thoob. Cov neeg yeej Nyiaj yog cov haujlwm ci ntsa iab heev thiab tsim tshiab heev uas qhia txog kev paub, kev txawj ntse thiab kev ntse ntawm cov kws tsim qauv. No Footprint House Vaj Tsev Nyob Daim Qauv xav tias yuav yog ib qho haujlwm zoo kawg nkaus uas tsim rau qhia, tshaj lij heev thiab tsim tshiab tob. Cov qauv tsim yeej A' Design Award Nyiaj no yog ib qho khoom tsim uas pom tseeb heev thiab neeg qhuas uas pab tau thiab nthuav dav ciam teb ntawm kev kos duab, kev tshawb fawb, kev tsim qauv thiab thev naus laus zis. No Footprint House Vaj Tsev Nyob Daim Qauv yog ib qho khoom tsim uas neeg coob xav tau, uas ua rau xav, coj kev xav zoo thiab ua rau xav tsis thoob thiab xav paub.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- The prototype of the No Footprint House is located along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Placed in a humid tropical climate, the building design responds to its surrounding habitat by passive climate control through natural ventilation and solar shading. The inclined facade panels can be opened or closed individually in order to regulate views and exposure, augment or reduce air flows, create privacy and security. They convert interior to exterior spaces and play with the dynamic among nature and the built environment, one of the key features of tropical architecture.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The built prototype is based on a structural grid size of 12x9 meters, which are broken down into prefabricated units of 3x3 meters each. The central service core measures 6x3 meters, containing 2 bathrooms and all technical equipment of the house. With cantilevering and double-height floor areas, the building totals 150 square meters for two bedrooms, kitchen, dining, living and terrace areas. It is designed as a spacious residence for one family. Alternative pre-designed typologies for individuals and small families are available. Individual layouts can be configured and produced upon demand.
- Tags
- Climate Action, Climate Change, Net Zero, New Urban Agenda, New Rural Agenda, Sustainable Construction, Tropical Modernism, Well Being
- Production Technology
- The project is based on a prefabricated component design system. A first prototype was built with a structural steel frame and pine wood finishes. It was prefabricated in the Central Valley of Costa Rica and delivered to its target-site on one single truck. We are currently developing additional structural systems in order to amplify the configuration options for our clients and to continue improving the project performance. One of these alternative systems is based on laminated and solid teak wood components, which will be produced and processed in Costa Rica. The different product lines will become available as of 2021.
- Design Challenge
- The main challenge is to systematize the existing building components that are available on the local construction market. These components are then augmented with imported and self-made solutions to resolve crucial design issues. In the case of the prototype, this was specifically relevant with regards to the inclined bi-fold doors in order to achieve the characteristic and interactive "wrap" or "skin" of the building. Further challenges were related to the water and energy management system of the project, as well as the prefabrication logistics and on-site delivery.
- Research
- The NFH has a dual agenda: on the one hand, we investigate how to lower the environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions of construction for new and existing buildings. On the other hand, we develop and offer a commercial product in different configurations. The correlation of these parallel dynamics is key for the success of the overall project. Our research was presented on international platforms such as the 2019 UN climate conferences in Spain and Costa Rica. At the same time, we launched the documentation of the first built prototype, which we are continuously improving for serial production.
- Inspiration
- The No Footprint House, or simply NFH, has numerous inspirations. It is largely rooted in the work of professionals who were looking for combined solutions in architecture and engineering, further paired with a broader world view towards sustainable development. For example, the Dymaxion House by Buckminster Fuller was a crucial influence for us, as well as the groundbreaking work of Jean Prouve in terms of his prefabricated systemic designs for different climates, such as the Maison Tropicale. Further inspiration was found in the contemporary automotive industry.
- Project Duration
- The NFH is an ongoing project. The prototype in Costa Rica was designed and developed in 2017. It was brought to and tested on site in 2018, documented and communicated in 2019. Since then, we have been working on additional component designs and material solutions to enrich the NFH toolbox and to create solutions for a broad customer segment. With further improvements to the building and operational logistics, we expect to become carbon-neutral by 2021. As of 2022, we intend to extend the production in order to export to other countries while continuing to deliver for the home market in Costa Rica.
- Operation Flow
- In its initial phase, the NFH comes in three different sizes that can be auto-configured with regards to the internal distribution and connections, material finishes and desired level of services: from tiny to mid-size and family home. Tailor-made typologies can be offered, including self-sufficient solutions for off-grid locations. The selection of all elements and materials from our catalog of prefabricated components is based on a thorough investigation regarding their origin, processing, cost and environmental footprint. They can be chosen according to the site-specific requirements and client needs.
- Patents
- All rights reserved: A-01 (A Company / A Foundation)
- Team Members
- Lead architect: Oliver Schütte / A-01
Design team: José Pablo González / A-01
Misael Rodríguez / A-01
Ronald Carvajal Soto / A-01
Mauricio Rodríguez / A-01
Market research: Marije van Lidth de Jeude / A-01
Structural and electro-mechanical engineering: Rafael Cañas / Ingeniería Cañas
Life cycle assesment: Pablo Mora / Consost
Construction: Hernán Mora / SLO Studiolocal
Collaborator: Luuc van Wezel / Villas Gaia - Image Credits
- Photography: Fernando Alda
Video: Manduca Audiovisual
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