Last Oct 2008, a design competition was initiated by UP Architecture and LaFarge.

The competition called for the design of the “pinakamagandang bahay sa balat ng lupa”(the most beautiful house on earth).

Last Oct 2008, a design competition was initiated by UP Architecture and LaFarge.

This presentation is about ecotektonika’s winning entry.

The competition called for the design of the “pinakamagandang bahay sa balat ng lupa”(the most beautiful house on earth).

Copyright 2009

Last Oct 2008, a design competition was initiated by UP Architecture and LaFarge.

pinakamagandang bahay sa balat ng lupa

Design Problem

UP Diliman

The design is for a family of five (5)

Can be adapted to meet the needs of a typical family

As it grows and contracts…

…as the children grow and then eventually leave home

As it grows and contracts…

May be a starter house

around P750,000.00

that complies with building laws and regulations

To incorporate locally available sustainable/green systems and/or

materials

Alternative building materials or construction systems should be

both forward and backward integrating

for tropical living

Feasibile

Adaptable

Integrated

Problem Setting

Housing designs are modeled after European and American exemplars…

Mediterranean-inspired

Spanish villaItalian StyleAmerican Modern

Canadian CabinRenaissance

Baroque Decoration Bali Resort

Mexican Style

Incongrous with our tropical climate resulting to high energy and operating costs.

Mediterranean-inspired

Italian StyleAmerican Modern

Canadian CabinRenaissance

Baroque Decoration

Mexican StyleSpanish villa

Bali ResortE = P

Redefine the concept of “beauty” in houses

Demonstrate tropical design to houses that are inexpensive

an alternative to the usual housing solutions

a statement to tropical urban living

for middle-income housing

and for low-income housing

ecokubothe design solution

the design solution

highest sustainable tropical design

highest sustainable tropical designpossible within its budget.

EcoKubo’s main sustainable design objective

sustainable

is for the house to be a vital part of the site’s ecosystem.

EcoKubo’s main sustainable design objective

is for the house to be a vital part of the site’s ecosystem.

EcoKubo’s main sustainable design objective

It is also designed to sustain the varied life patterns of the dwellers,

sustain

from the entrance ramp for handicap accessibility to the adaptable sleeping areas.

It is also designed to sustain the varied life patterns of the dwellers,

Wind

The roof angle at the north facade is designed like a wind

scoop to capture the NE prevailing wind.

The continuous bamboo screen at the south facade is designed to

capture the SE and SW prevailing winds.

Water

Rainwater pours on roof catchment area of 80.5 sq.m.

It is then collected in a C Krete cistern which has a volume of 19.7 cu.m.

Sufficient to sustain ecoKubo’s water demand for a 54-day straight dry period!

Water then goes to low-flow faucets for lavatory, bidet, kitchen sink and shower.

then recycled again as greywater

Greywater then goes to a 5.3 sq. m. - reed bed

to a polishing pond then to a monitoring pond

then irrigated back to the landscape.

the landscape gives off this water back to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.

The whole water recycling process is therefore a closed-loop cycle!

EXCESS

The potential annual rainwater collection volume for the designed roof is 146,800 Liters.

A potential Net-ZERO water efficiency!The estimated annual water demand for ecoKubo is 134,600 Liters.

SUPPLYDEMAND

Sun

There are no glazing at the east and west facades. Instead, the design opted for bamboo screens.

There are no glazing at the east and west facades. Instead, the design opted for bamboo screens.

100% of the glazing at the south-facing wall are completely shaded (using overhangs and bamboo screens) at noon on December 21

100% of the glazing at the south-facing wall are completely shaded (using overhangs and bamboo screens) at noon on December 21

100% of the glazing at the north-facing wall are completely shaded at noon of

June 21.

Renewable EnergyPotential

The roof has 53.7 sq.m. of south-facing area and is sloped 38 degrees,

perpendicular to the sun angle on December 21 noon

(the shortest daylight of the year).

Just appropriate to maximize solar harvesting during the months of August to

April.

The roof has 53.7 sq.m. of south-facing area and is sloped 38 degrees,

perpendicular to the sun angle on December 21 noon

(the shortest daylight of the year).

The roof also has 39.6 sq.m. of north-facing area that is appropriate to maximize solar harvesting during the months of May to July.

The estimated energy the ecoKubo will require is an average of 9 Kwh/day.PV renewable energy will only require around 20 sq.m. of panel area.

22%

Potential NET-ZERO Energy Home!

ROOF AREA

Wall System

Only 40% of ecoKubo’s gross floor area is totally enclosed with walls.

Bamboo screens are used in the remaining 60%

C Krete wall system

C Krete wall system is basically rammed earth (typically site harvested) sandwiched by 2 bamboo mesh and then cement plaster at both sides.

EcoKubo uses this system for its interior walls, the elevated floor slabs at the kitchen and T&B, water cistern and the biological wastewater treatment structure.

Dry rice strawbales

Dry rice strawbales are set upon a moisture-protected base, stacked in a running bond, and secured with bamboo sticks.

Dry rice strawbales are set upon a moisture-protected base, stacked in a running bond, and secured with bamboo sticks.

The bale is then post tensioned with ropes to prevent extreme settling. The resulting assembly is finished with several layers of cement plaster.It is resistant to burning (ASTM E84-09) and pest infestation. EcoKubo uses this system for its exterior wall infill & roof insulation. The 0.4m thk bale walls designed has an R-42 value!

Closed Loop Ecosystem

In addition to existing ones, trees will be planted to provide shade and biomass.

The biomass shall serve the pugon for any purpose.

+ =

Whatever ash will be left from the biomass will be used for the Ecosan toilet.

The accumulated dried up feces will then be used as a fertilizer for all the vegetation within the site.

Closed Loop Cycle!

ecokubo is the architecture of

Designing A Sustainable Planet

ABOUT

Ecotektonika is a design firm of architects, planners, designers, consultants and support staff. Our work is based on a philosophical foundation rooted in sustainable development. We serve clients from our offices in Makati, Philippines and in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. To provide our clients with the best service, the firm uses and open design team approach to optimize project delivery across all types and scales. Typically serving as design team leaders working on a wide array of projects and building types, ecotektonika adds unique value by integrating rigorous analysis and design synthesis. Our solutions to architecture, planning and community design problems range across scales from the minute architectural detail to the region as we examine the economic, ecological and social responsibility. 

CONTACT

Philippines Suite 308, Margarita Bldg.,JP Rizal cor. Cardona Streets, Makati City, 1210 Voice (632) 897 0045

USA 19 Diana Way, North East, MDUSA, 21901Voice (001) 4439826376

Email corporate@ecotektonika.com Web http://www.ecotektonika.com

US Partner Company Membership