Moxon Architect's design, short-listed for the 3^rd International Architecture Competition as conceived by Ben Addy and Tim Murray, is a concept for a lightweight steel box that acts both as a structurally integral element and a passive responsive thermal-energy saving shell.

Considered as a deep build-up of layers of structure and cladding, the steel is folded and fragmented around the form, lifted and split in areas to allow light into the house.

The steel box house is a study in inconspicuous environmentalism. Although the intention is to create an exemplar environmental design, it has been our aim to make the environmental aspects of the scheme subservient to the overall architectural direction.

Our approach has been to incorporate cutting edge material innovation alongside proven construction technologies, to create a design that is innovative but also readily reproducible. The challenge has been to increase the thermal mass of the steel construction to aid the internal temperature regulation of the houses.

APPROACH

To enable evolution in both design and sustainability, it has been essential for us to approach the problem as a combined scientific and aesthetic challenge. The scheme incorporates energy efficient solutions at a range of scales, from the site to the joints and seals between wall panels:

Large scale solutions include

Minimising pre-construction transportation of materials

Minimising use of concrete n construction

Maximum sharing of energy resources across the site

Small-scale solutions include

Within the house - making the most of natural daylight and solar gain

Within the wall - storing energy, stabilising the internal temperature

Within each panel - insulating against the cold in winter

INNOVATION IN DESIGN

Working with such an open site and landscape has allowed us to look differently at the idea of street frontage and the approach to each property. The houses have no prescriptive front or back façade, and therefore there is no conventional streetscape.

As a stand-alone structure, each house is a defined object in the landscape, but due to the distribution of glazing, there is a strong feeling of transparency to the architecture. The division of each surface with large glazed areas allows vistas through the houses to the landscape beyond.

Spatially, as well as environmentally, the house is considered as a number of parallel layers, making use of the self spanning possibilities of the steel façade to free up the internal arrangements and provide sliding subdivision of space.  For the two storey variants, the planning is ‘upside down' with sleeping and private functions on the lower level and an open plenum on the top level providing the main living space.

Spatial considerations

• the internal living spaces receive the maximum natural light
• the position of large glazed panels frame the surroundings
• internal spaces are adaptable for young professionals, from a single owner, through to a family home or a live/work set up

Architectural variation is achieved seasonally though the use of large sliding panels across each façade. As panels are moved to shade living spaces from direct summer sun, the proportions and materiality of each façade will alter. The graphic animation of this seasonal change will aid in giving individual character to each house, as well as increasing a sense of ownership over the home and how it is used.

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