CO2-Saver Sustainable house by Peter Kuczia in Poland

The CO2-Saver house, a single family house was designed by architect Peter Kuczia is simple, very cost-effective, modern and sustainable house design. Like a chameleon, the CO2-Saver Sustainable house is blends with its surrounding area on Laka Lake in Upper Silesia, Poland. The Colorful planks within the timber exterior facade of the green house reflect the tones of the landscape. The window reveals, clad in fiber cement, frame images of the countryside. Analogical to the most creatures, the building is outside symmetrical, although the internal zones are arranged asymmetrically according to function.

The built form is designed to optimise the absorbance of solar energy. Approximately 80% of the building envelope facing south. The single storey living space on the ground floor is externally clad with untreated larch boarding. Solar energy is gained there by the set-in glazed patio. Solar collection panels are located on the roof and a photovoltaic system is planed for the future. The dark facade of the “black box”, a three storey structure clad with charcoal coloured fiber cement panels, is warmed by the sun, reducing heat loss to the environment. The passive and active solar energy concepts and a high standard of thermal insulation are enhanced by a ventilation plant with thermal recovery system.

The design of the project was determinate by the twin goals of low life cycle costs and a reduction in construction costs. All details are simple, but well thought out. The house did not cost more than a conventional one in Poland. Cost-saving were made by the application of traditional building techniques and the use of local materials and recycled building elements.

Sustainable home design features:
Building structure;
- compact structure and optimised percentage outer surface / cubature and optimised orientation towards the sun.
Building materials;
- natural and close to home (short transport routes), partly recycle building materials and recyclable building materials, traditional timber cladding (larch) with no chemical treatment and very low embodied energy, easy to repair / replace, severable and recyclable.
Passive solar systems;
- green home and “black box” for passive solar energy harness with high thermal mass materials inside, thermal zoning and stack effect.
Active solar systems;
- solar heater and photovoltaic.
Very high thermal insulation;
- no heat bridges and windproof and additional thermal insulation of window frames.
Green Roof with extensive vegetation and loam walls for natural climate regulation inside
Reduced floor construction (polished concrete) with high thermal mass
Ventilation with green energy recovery and intelligent building control systems