INTERNATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION WINNERS
“ZERO EMISSION WONDERS-OFF THE GRID_2024”
CHECK OUT THE WINNERS: https://www.archiol.org/result/zero-emission-wonders-2024
CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL INTERVIEW: https://www.archiol.org/results/top3_zero-emission-wonders-2024
1. Introduction:
o Please introduce yourself briefly and provide insights into your background in architecture and design.
o What motivated you to participate in the Zero Emission Wonders - Off the Grid Design Competition?
Being partners in life and colleagues at work we know each other very well and cooperate with great chemistry. On a daily basis we run a family business called Gconstructions, which is mainly active in the field of residential building construction projects. It undertakes all stages of building development and more specifically: plot selection, design, construction and sales.
Fotis Gazepidis studied civil engineering, has a master's degree in construction analysis and design, is the reformer of the company and participates in all stages, while Anna Chatziioannou, is an MSc architect, studied at the National Technical University of Athens and she is responsible for the architectural design, interior design and supervision of all projects.
Our motivation to participate was that this competition faces perhaps the greatest challenges of our time. Depletion of natural resources, pollution of the planet, overpopulation and economic inequality are at the root of many problems nowadays. Therefore, sustainability is no longer a question of the future but a need of the present.
The architecture and design of houses play a catalytic role in shaping the future since, in addition to absorbing a large part of the energy consumed worldwide, resident houses also form the living of the people, resulting in them being largely responsible for global pollution.
With this competition, we are given the opportunity to propose solutions to these enormous challenges. To design a sustainable house that ensures a high quality of life in a limited space and with functions that promote a sustainable living model for humanity.
2. Design Concept:
o Can you provide an overview of your winning design for the Zero Emission Wonders - Off the Grid competition?
o How does your design address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by off-the-grid living, and how does it contribute to creating sustainable and aesthetically pleasing tiny houses?
The Platform is a self-sustaining structure that was designed from the beginning to fit into the environment in which it was chosen to be located. Aesthetically, its design was inspired by Greek architectural culture and was placed in the right spot in order to serve its own goals. The structure was studied very carefully in order to satisfy the daily needs of two people in a very limited indoor space of 25sqm but at the same time considering the need for an outdoor vital living space for its residents. Sustainability was achieved by creating surplus through renewable energy sources exploitation, food production and water recycling, where AI technology and rotation both act as amplifiers for the optimum result, allowing off the grid living. The final and most important aim of “The Platform” is to promote community unity and by sharing surplus to create abundance.
3. Sustainable Design Integration:
o Sustainability is a key focus of the competition. How did you incorporate sustainable design principles into your Zero Emission Wonders - Off the Grid design?
o Can you highlight sustainable features or innovations in your design that set it apart? In what ways does your design contribute to a more sustainable future for residential architecture?
Sustainability was analysed holistically, in terms of energy, water and food as well. In this project, all three parameters are governed by a fraction where the numerator is “production and save” and the denominator is “consumption and waste”. The higher the result, the more sustainable the structure. Whatever the result, the platform’s 360o rotation and AI technology, function in combination as multipliers that maximize it to the optimum.
(↑ PRODUCTION AND SAVE)/(↓ CONSUMPTION AND WASTE) ×〖AI〗_TECH×Ꞧ◌= OPTIMUM RESULT
What makes the platform an innovative and distinctive project is that while it shares the demand of the time for limited space, at the same time it highlights the need for a vital outdoor space that is necessary for the quality of life of its residents. Also, the design of the project is such that it ensures that the whole structure space is utilized to the maximum extent, with functions of production and recycling of sustainable sources (energy, water, food), thus allowing its off-grid placement. Finally, the rotation and technology produce the desired result but without burdening the cost of construction and operation. All these features combined make the project beyond feasible and implementable, also innovative and able to contribute to a more sustainable future for residential architecture.
4. Creative Use of Space:
o Participants are required to design within a 37-square-meter footprint. How did you creatively and efficiently utilize the limited space to accommodate all necessary functions for comfortable living?
o Were there any specific design techniques, spatial arrangements, or innovations that were crucial in maximizing the functionality of the tiny house?
When designing a small space, our main priority is the utilization of every sqm. We created a singular motion axis, around which all the functions of the space are lined up. With this design, none of the area is wasted for extra corridors and movements. The main corridor is parallel to the long side of the top view, and is connected to the entrance to the main space and the exit to the semi-outdoor space. Regarding its position on the y-axis, we positioned the corridor at the 3/4ths of the space, so it splits the spaces unevenly, and on the one side all the main functions are accommodated (sofa, WC, bed), while on the other side all the secondary, smaller functions are accommodated, such as storage spaces, the office and the shower.
The functions that are parallel and opposite each other with regard to the corridor interact with each other and operate as a unit. The corridor crosses four zones (kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom).
At the next stage, after we ensured space saving through the initial design, from a top view perspective, we thought that through the furniture we could create a polymorphic space, which could change throughout the day, depending on the user’s needs. This way, the space would be able to transform in order to serve more functions throughout the day and then go back to its initial form, for a more spacious and comfortable sense of the space. So, we created custom furniture, with surfaces that open, slide and fold up, based on the user’s needs.
5. Off-the-Grid Living Vision:
o In an era dominated by grid-dependent structures, how does your design contribute to the vision of off-the-grid living? What elements in your design promote self-sufficiency, harnessing renewable energy, and embracing innovative technologies?
The vision of off-grid living was succeeded by facing sustainability holistically and by maximising its results. Sustainability was examined, not only in term of energy but also in terms of food and water, with a request for independence from the grid. The fact that the effect from each parameter was reinforced by platform's 360ο rotation in combination with AI tech, which both function as amplifiers to optimum the outcome, guarantees for the maximum degree of freedom by the grid.
Specifically:
Energy production takes place through a wind generator, as well as a 14sqm surface of solar power panels placed on the roof in 15o slope. Through rotation, the panels track the sun and maximise their performance. Wind sensors detect wind direction and speed. AI Technology calculates the optimum energy production combination, and it rotates the platform accordingly. All these can increase energy production by 25% to 30%, resulting in an annual energy production of 10000kWh. At the same time, energy consumption is managed through passive energy design. Smart and energy efficient appliances, in combination with passive structural materials, are placed accordingly. Walls and windows with low U-values maintain internal temperature, green roof provides shadow from the summer sun and openings placed on the right spot permit air movement, natural ventilation and lighting. In case of severe weather conditions, the temperature is controlled by a high energy efficient heat pump. Finally, the platform rotates to exploit the desired effects (ex.: to catch a cool breeze on a hot summer day).
A 15sqm surface leisure garden with a 40cm effective depth allows the cultivation of organic vegetables and fruits, covering part of the couple’s diet. AI Technology could suggest planting according to water needs, water reserves, season, weather forecast etc. The platform’s rotation makes conditions ideal for the products’ growth. Part of the food waste is composted with leaves to make fertilizer or be reused, while packing materials are separated for easier recycling in four different material bins. Residents can exchange products and share food with the rest of the community.
Rainwater from garden and platform plus wastewater from domestic use (apart from toilet water) is recycled. All the pipes, excluding the toilet’s which discharges directly into the sewage, end up in a sewage treatment tank (capacity 750 litres) attached to the metal frame under the platform. After filtration, a pump pushes water into a storage tank placed on the platform (capacity 750 litres). Grey water from the heat pump and roof garden drainage ends up directly into the same water tank. Stored water can be used for gardening, cleaning, and cistern. A submersible water sensor controls water level and surplus discharges through a pipe and it either gets distributed to the communal gardens or it is used to water other residents’ crops.
6. Design Evolution:
o Walk us through the various stages of your design process, from initial ideation to the final concept for the Zero Emission Wonders - Off the Grid.
o Were there any unique design techniques, materials, or technologies that were pivotal in shaping your project and achieving your sustainable living objectives?
The whole concept is governed by three goals (sustainability, good life, social impact). Design started with a survey to find the most suitable location to serve them. The research was conducted by following reasonable steps, where parameters were decided, quantified and evaluated in order to drive us to the ideal location.
Appropriate location selection set the foundation for architectural design to satisfy the three goals. Ancient windmills, which appeared in Greek territory in the 12th century and served inhabitants’ needs by exploiting wind energy until the early 20th century, being very popular for artists and a landmark of Greek culture, became the inspiration of design since they perfectly combine aesthetic, sustainability and tradition.
The initial idea started with a rotated house that could track the sun for solar energy production. However, the necessity for an external vital living space transformed the rotated house into a rotated platform, where an external architectural zoning for a practical, active and comfortable life of the residents was designed. The platform can be rotated by the users accordingly, either regarding their needs or their desires.
What makes this project unique is the combination of existing techniques, popular materials and modern technologies in order to maximize production, minimize consumption and multiply result. Technically, the rotation was a challenge for the utilities since is not feasible all pipes and cables to occupy the unique center of rotation. Therefore, to achieve the connection of each structure to the communal network, it was decided that only the sewage will use the center. The connection between the fixed and rotated part occurs exactly at the core of the bearing that allows rotation. Electricity cables and water pipes decided to go through flexible tubes which are positioned purposely close to the center to avoid large displacements, while the platform rotates, no more than one complete circle (360 degrees) and turns back to avoid twisting the pipes and cables.
7. Community and Environmental Impact:
o Tiny houses can have a positive impact on both individuals and the environment. How do you envision your Zero Emission Wonders - Off the Grid design positively affecting individuals and the community?
o Can you highlight specific advantages or benefits your design offers in terms of creating a more sustainable and ecologically responsible living solution?
What this project adds to the existing positive impact of a tiny house is that it takes into account the needs of its residents and enriches their lives with outdoor spaces, constructive sustainable activities, such as garden, and recreational areas. Also, in terms of community impact, the platform was designed not only to work off-grid but also to be able to connect with other similar structures creating an independent network.
Therefore, the advantages and benefits offered by this effort are that the concept "The Platform" extends to the whole range of basic needs (food, water, energy) and maximizes their result by combining two optimization parameters (rotation and AI technology) so that it can transit from sustainability to surplus. Also, the fact that the project can grow from a unit to a community network, where surplus can be distributed accordingly to its residents strengthening social ties, ensures that its design beyond sustainable and ecologically responsible suggest an appropriate living solution.
OPTIMUM RESULT - RESIDENTS NEEDS = SURPLUS
SURPLUS → SHARED TO COMMUNITY NEEDS
8. Reflections on Winning:
o Winning the Zero Emission Wonders - Off the Grid Design Competition is a significant achievement. How does it feel to be recognized for your outstanding work in sustainable and off-the-grid design?
o Do you have any final thoughts or messages you'd like to share with our audience, especially those interested in sustainable living and designing compact, eco-friendly homes?
It is a great honour!!! Even if we were really confident that our design concept was solid and well documented, we never imagined we could win the 1st prize award since we knew that the competition is highly competitive. Therefore, we are very proud and happy for this achievement and the recognition of our efforts gives us courage and strength to continue to set our architectural design goals higher.
If we have to share some of our thoughts that determined our design: In a world full of social inequalities, confrontations over the control of finite resources and with a humanity with an insatiable appetite for consumption and prosperity we must set the standards of sustainable construction design even higher, aiming for constructions that will not only be autonomous but that they can guarantee a surplus. The future sustainable architectural design beyond the objective measurable criteria such as the balance between production and consumption, must take into account social messages that promote the virtues and values of people, which the modern way of life desperately needs.
