Kornaless

listed by ISO

How does it work? 

Looks like an interesting building! I would really like to learn more about how it works environmentally.
What do the domes do? They look like a very strong aesthetic part of the design/ is there a green function to them?
Good luck with the endeavor of to moving to NZ. The culture is really geared up for green awareness and design, I’m sure the opportunities will come.

Re: How does it work? 

Hi Duncan,

according to the video, the domes are integrated PV panels, semi-transparent. They would give you some electrical power plus let the light through, so contribute to passive solar design.
I just wonder whether the nice green location is sustainable. Plus I have certain difficulties with heaps of concrete, steel and in particular polystyrene. There are other ways. 'Cause at the end, the rubbish remains.
Nice idea though.

Re: How does it work? 

"you don't just talk about being clean and green like they do here in the UK - you actually encourage and facilitate"

Give it six months of reality befor making comments like that, and wait till you see the building regs. Hope it goes well for you, but I would remove the rosr tinted spectacles if I were you

Re: How does it work? 

Sure New Zealand has too many bureaucrats……but the general Kiwi and Australian attitudes towards sustainably is pretty well informed compared to whats out there in the rest of the world!

Re: How does it work? 

Hi Duncan,

Thanks for your comments. Yes the domes are aesthetic as well as being PV cell. As for the location - well, off-the-grid property is most usually the preserve of houses that are way off the grid - remote. However, this need not be the case if all new developments were created with a view toward self-generated power and water harvesting for small communities. Idealistic perhaps, but nontheless essential over time.

Re: How does it work? 

Hi Anonymous,

Building regs in NZ can't be as eronious as UK regs; you don't have as many civil servants to feed! Though, having said that, I have always exceeded regs when it comes to structure and insulation.
I've little doubt I will have a few teeth grinding moments, but that's the way of all things!

Re: How does it work? 

Hi there,
Yes, the concrete. I agree it is still a very high CO2 footprint material, however the industry is working on producing a 'cleaner' product. When you attempt to combine sustainability and eco, there is always some kind of trade off. Concrete has longevity that timber doesn't. Styropor insulation is already a bi-product - yes, of oil based formula - but once again, will not degrade over time. And the beauty of ICF is that it isn't wasteful - very little surplus material and no need for heavy plant.

I've built in a number of materials - natural and manufactured - and there are pro's and cons for them all. It's more a case of balancing the trade-off to a point where sustainability is the primary concern.

Re: How does it work? 

A 'recycled' building, with the appropriate green technologies added on, is potentially highly sustainable.

SolarUK, the UK company behind the LaZer2 solar hot water system, will shortly be moving into a new research and manufacturing centre in East Sussex. The original building housed a vehicle training facility in the Midlands. Instead of being demolished, it was purchased on Ebay and transported to Sussex, door handles included.

Regarding further steps, rainwater is going to be collected in a moat and recycled throughout the building, and hot water will be supplied by LaZer2 trackers.