Battersea 5: Information

ORIENTATION – the house is orientated away from north as max sunshine for warmth comes from this direction, which is not required in a hot, dry climate. The majority of the windows face south, only a minimal amount face east, west and north.

ENCLOSED COURTYARD – provides shade for the windows whilst allowing natural light in. Windows to the courtyard provide cross ventilation.

THERMAL MASS – rammed earth and concrete. There is a time lag between the day’s temperature and the material heating up. The heat that the thermal mass absorbs is given off at night when the temperature drops between 10-15 °
The house is built into the ground as the earth’s temperature does not fluctuate as much as the external temperature.

REVERSE BRICK VENEER – the thermal mass, brick wall, is internal with the lightweight material as the external cladding, acting as insulation. Also acts as a transitional part between the organic, earth private quarters and the geometric, light-clad public spaces.

WATER – higher thermal mass than most conventional building materials. Water tanks are stored in and around the house.

INSULATION – reduces flow of heat into or out of the house. The ceiling/roof area is the major heat loss/gain area.

EVAPORATIVE COOLING – In hot, dry conditions, the air needs to be moistened and cooled before flowing into the house. There are water tanks to the east and west of the house that cater for the different wind conditions.

INSECT SCREENING – creates a sense of enclosure, an outdoor room, which has an insect barrier.

WINDOWS – Large overhangs provide shade for the house all year round and protect the windows.
louver screens protect the east and west facing windows
o Horizontal slats protecting the rammed earth wall, using reverse brick veneer as well as being a

The exterior of the house is predominately light colours to minimize glare

SOLAR PANELS – 80W solar panels, absorbs the sun’s radiation only on clear, sunny days. Includes a collector and a storage unit.
On average people use 3kWH/day. 6 hours of sunlight on one 80W panel will produce 480W.