«The architects set out to explore what the “green house” is. Not to consider it merely as a technical challenge but rather a way of using space and experiencing space. In the same way gravity has given beautiful constructed columns and beams, the recycling of materials and energy saving in building will generate its own beauty. They investigated how temperature zoning and solar power not only could provide efficient energy use, but also give a meaningful extra layer of quality in the everyday life.
Closer to the seasons- about craft, knowledge and care
The project is an example on reusing and mixing old architectonic qualities and knowledge with modern notions of building and dwelling. The background for this homepage is formulating experiences from this process.
The building: Årstidshus Blaklia / House of all seasons
Architect: Sunne Hus AS / Sevrin Gjerde + Nina Haarsaker
Address: Blaklivegen 18/20 Trondheim.
Completion: 2014
Energy source: An hybrid energy solution; using the sun, both the three solar panels and the hothouse/ winter-garden, air to air system on low pressure difference, electricity and clean-burning fireplace using dried wood from nearby forest.
Energy performance kWhm2:
Calculated energy use was 106 kWH/m2. Actual annual use first year was 88 kWh/m2.
Square meter/ plan:
The building is divided horizontally in a family part, and an apartment.
Family part (2 floors) total area 186m2 BRA. Heated area in winter 110m2.
Per person: 28- 40 m2, depending on season, per person /family of 4.
Flat for rent (one floor) total 57 m2 BRA, for couple: 28,5 m2 per person.
Comparing to Norwegian statistics: In summertime, 5 person living in this house gives 42 m2 pr person. This is still 18 m2 under Norwegian average pr.2016: ca 60m2 pr person. In 2002 it was 52 m2 pr person, (source: https://www.ssb.no/a/samfunnsspeilet/utg/200404/10/tab-2004-09-15-01.html)
Alternative possibilities in the plan solution. The building is designed to have the flexibility from being one big three floor family home, or easily divided horizontally into three flats, collective housing, and even part of the building becoming commercial/ office. First floor has universal access.
A solid wall divides the main plan of the house. The wall serves as insulation between two temperature zones. This wall also separates the house into a secluded part and an exposed part. The exposed part contains entrances, stairs and openings towards the garden. The secluded part contains the hearth, bathrooms and bedrooms.
Material use; construction and surfaces:
We wanted to mainly use durable, natural and easily recycled materials.
Construction: In situ concrete foundation. Central LECA wall surrounded by framework wood construction, (materials from Støren, local spruce).
Wall and roof insulation in wooden frames: reused cellulose 25 cm, and 5 cm hemp.
Surfaces inside:
Clay from the site is used as clay plaster. The rendering of clay is used on both sides of the solid inside clinker-wall, dividing the whole building in two different temperature zones, as a thermal collector and a humidity equalizer.
Visible spruce frame-construction in the" “winter garden/buffer"
Wall and roofs covered with plywood of birch (both as vapor- barrier and inside surface) treated with organic oil/wax and pigment.
Reused doors from local office, found cheap on net.
Floors and bathroom walls: pine, oak, concrete tiles, clinker-tiles.
Surfaces on facades:
Concrete box/foundation: Black composite concrete panels on the three walls of the apartment.
Windows: Three layered glass with wood-frame, two-layered glass and aluminum frame towards the south
Charred wood: Outside facades of the house is covered with local mountain pine panel, treated with fire (yaki sugi), an old, Japanese technique. The charred wood is burning 2-5 mm of the surface of the paneling, both as an aesthetic and well functioning surface treatment.
