Soft House
The Soft House, designed by Kennedy & Violich Architecture, uses its dynamic textile façade to harness sunlight in a versatile and smart way, while its solid wood construction makes it a model of sustainable construction. Each of its four family-friendly, three-storey units has its own garden. The terrace on the first upper floor offers residents views over the Kanukanal and the Island Park.
Taking Cues from Nature
The textile membrane façade on the southern side of the building is moveable and turns towards the sunlight, similarly to a sunflower. Photovoltaic cells incorporated into the membrane can thus make the best use of the sunlight for producing energy. Parts of the façade also cast shade in summer, while in winter they minimise energy loss and allow light to penetrate deeper into the interior. The view can also be adjusted by the residents.
Cosy, Environmentally Friendly Construction
The wooden construction, which has been built to passive house standard and has retained its natural finish, forms housing units that are awash with light and connected with one another on all levels. Due to its carbon-reducing properties, the solid wood structure makes an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional brickwork construction.
Curtains as a Design Feature
Moveable, transparent “curtains” are used inside the apartments. These allow the residents to partition the spacious interiors themselves, and change the layout as they wish. They also help the residents to regulate heat and warmth within their own homes. The electricity generated by the membrane façade on the outside of the building is fed directly into these curtains, which are embedded with LEDs and can also provide additional light within the apartments.
ADDRESS
Am Inselpark 5
21109 Hamburg
SPECIFICATIONS
Beginning of construction:
February 2012
Completion:
March 2013
Property size:
approx. 1,050 sqm
Gross floor area:
approx. 800 sqm
Sizes of residential units:
4 houses á 180 sqm
Energy standard:
Passive house standard
Energy supply:
Integrated mobile photovoltaic elements in the roof and facade membrane, heat pumps and Integrated Energy Network Central