Case Study: Steigereiland 2.0

Short Description

Overview
Residence 2.0 is energy-neutral and is build according the cradle-to-cradle principles. The design of the house is based on an earlier energy efficient edition of the home. The upper floors are the same, but the unique parts, like the balcony are new. The exterior façade is made of burnt wood. An old Japanese technique that preserves the wood in a natural way. The burnt top layer preserves the wood and eliminates the need for paint or impregnation. The home is designed around a large live in kitchen on the ground floor. Up the stairs is a split level floor with a large balcony and a living room. The living room rests on a horizontal tree. All stadia of wood are featured in the house: tree, timber and ash. The tree was salvaged from one of the canals of Amsterdam, where it had to be removed for restoration of the quay.

We hope this project will be an example for many other people and investors. Our minister of Environment has visited the house to get an update of sustainable building in practice.

Key elements
The CO2 reduction is realized by bringing the house to a passive house level with an insulation value of Rc=10 using triple glazing, 100% liquid-tight joints and heat exchangers. The insulation materials are organic. The integrated photovoltaic cells in the roof line and the wind mill and PV cells generate enough electricity to supply both the nominal electricity demand as well as for the heating of the water.

A very large boiler feed water container of 2 m3 provides a large accumulation of energy. The heat exchanger in combination with the high level of insulation and triple glazing provides a great level of comfort. The air supply comes via the outside and will be heated by a Sole ground source heat exchanger two meters under the house. Extra energy for space heating and warm water will be supplied by warm water collectors. These are integrated in the cornice of the façade. The temperature can be increased if needed by use of a pellet stove. Electricity will be provided by a DonQi wind turbine, PV cells and 6 m2 Auron DF heat pipes.

The techniques used in the house are both old and new.
Old techniques used are:
• wood fibre insulation
• triple glazing
• adobe walls
• airtight connections (we have the best insulated cat door in the world!)
• no thermal bridges at all
• cellulose insulation in the roof
• burning instead of painting

New techniques used are:
• groundwater heat exchange
• ventilation heat exchange
• ELCO vacuum heat pipe collector
• Phase Changing Materials in the adobe
• 1 DonQi urban windmill
• Insulated window framing

Key Elements

Certification

Steigereiland 2.0 was the first built project to receive the certificate for Passive building. Air-pressure testing and infra red imaging showed that the house was actually built according the goals set and within the parameters of a Passive House.

Project Management

Building materials were selected based on the Cradle to cradle philosophy. Most materials can be recycled should the home be dismantled. Materials were also selected based on transport and manufacturing costs.

A well selected building team helped to make this project a success. At all points in the construction process, these professionals helped to figure out if there would be a better, more sustainable way. Techniques that were completely new in the building industry had to be incorporated.

Heating and Hot Water

Vacuum solar tubes on roof; pellet stove; central heating and hot water system; large warm water vats for storage and warmkeeping.

Funding

The residents drove this project and are well aware of energy use.

The house should start paying itself back in a number of years by having no energy bills. The initial investment is somewhat higher than an conventional house would be. It is a long term investment.

Other Renewables

Rainwater harvesting and use for washing machine and toilets.

Bioclimatic design implementation; tree on roof; roof garden.

Thermal Insulation

Insulation: wood pulp. In tight spaces a petrochemical technique is used: insulair

• triple glazing

• adobe walls

• airtight connections (we have the best insulated cat door in the world!)

• no thermal bridges at all

• cellulose insulation in the roof

Air Tightness

Triple glazing, insulated wood window frames; deep lying windows to optimize access by sun in summer and winter. Exterior shades.

Ventilation

Ventilation heat exchange: The air supply comes via the outside and will be heated by a Sole ground source heat exchanger two meters under the house.

Summer night ventilation by opening bottom and top floor vents.

Cooling

Overheating in summer is prevented by deep-lying windows. Summer night ventilation reduces excess heat during night. Adobe walls with PCM’s on sleeping floors absorb heat during day and give heat back when temperature drops again.

Electricity Saving Products

Wind energy: a wind turbine provides energy; a pellet stove provides extra heat for hot tap water and heating if needed.

Led lights have been used throughout; light switches with motion detectors.

Main Results

The main result of this project has been that it has sparked the discussion of sustainable building and has encouraged the debate and regulations to be adapted in favour of sustainable building. The house is an example for a growing number of people: private and developers. Our firm uses this house and the techniques used to show our clients how things can be done and that it works.

Local policies have been adapted to accommodate the building of this house. We believe that nationally as well some policies may be influenced by the construction of this house. The architect is now a recognized speaker and is sought out for his opinion in many forums.

Lessons learned

The most important lesson learned is that the construction of sustainable projects only happen when the whole building team backs the goal. It is very easy to scale back the sustainability of a project due to cost, complexity or just falling back into the old ways, but when the whole team has the same goal, this goal is more easily made.