Team Basque’s Solar Decathlon Ekihouse Promotes Self-Sufficiency and ‘The Simple Life’

We've been uncovering and evaluating all of Spain's sustainable housing entries at this year's &lt;a href=&quot;http://wwwWe&#039;ve been uncovering and evaluating all of Spain&#039;s sustainable housing entries at this year&#039;s <a href="http://www.sdeurope.org/" target="_blank">European Solar Decathlon</a>, and today the Basque team from northern Spain showed us what they've got. Combining a simple design with modern technology -- and a fine eye for detail -- the <a href="http://www.ekihouse.org/" target="_blank">Ekihouse </a>(meaning "sun house" in the Basque dialect) presented us with a beautiful example of prefabricated housing that promotes self-sufficiency and living simply. .sdeurope.org/" target="_blank"&gt;European Solar Decathlon</a>, and today it was the turn of the Basque team from northern Spain to show us what they've got. Combining a simple design with modern technology -- and a fine eye for detail -- the <a href="http://www.ekihouse.org/" target="_blank">Ekihouse </a>(meaning "sun house" in the Basque dialect) presented us with a beautiful example of prefabricated housing that promotes self-sufficiency and living simply.

The actual design couldn't be any more simple, as the interior is an insulated wooden construct, built off-site, that utilizes triple glazed patio doors that pull across the openings. This is then encased in the eye-catching <a href="http://www.imarsa.com/" target="_blank">perforated steel frame</a> to add strength, a unique look, and provide a passive means to help regulate internal temperatures.

As was explained to us using this model, the house was designed with dimensions in mind that would fit on the trailer of a lorry. They prefabricated two modules off-site that arrived on seperate vehicles, so the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/spanish-university-students-design-ekihouse-to-simplify-a-sustainable-lifestyle-at-the-solar-decathlon-europe/" target="_blank">construction prior to the opening</a> was a relatively simple case of joining the two halves together and then encasing the structure with the steel curtain.

Self-sufficiency is an on-going theme. Here we can see the green drinking water containers that hold 1,100 litres of fresh water. To the right is the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cista-rainwater-cachement-by-moss-sund-and-figforty/" target="_blank">rain-water harvesting system</a> that collects water via the gutter for use in the toilet flush, the washing machine and the dishwasher.

On the opposite side of the house we were shown an example of the grey-water recycling system, which collects used water from in the house and filters it so it can then be used again and again for any use other than drinking (hence the seperate drinking water tanks).

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/patrick-nadeaus-green-waters-bathroom-uses-hanging-plants-to-treat-greywater/" target="_blank">greywater system</a> is hidden under the raised bed covered in plants on the patio area and connected via pipes running underneath the plinth the whole building sits upon.

This patio area gives the residents ample space for enjoying the outdoors, with room on the decking for tables and chairs or a barbecue. During the event they used the space to show off some of their furniture designs, and also the<a href="http://www.rockwool.es/" target="_blank"> rockwool insulation</a> they used in the walls.

Neatly tucked away at the side of the house we were shown the battery storage that receives its charge from the PV array on the roof. They also have an <a href="http://inhabitat.com/pod-point-launches-electric-vehicle-charging-network-across-the-uk/" target="_blank">electric vehicle charging point</a> built into the design, so you could charge up an EV overnight in the driveway for the next days use. Solar heated water is also held here for use in the house.

They have incorporated a "forest" design into the perforations that was also a deciding factor in choosing green as the predominant color. At night, the interior lighting from the house creates a beautiful effect around the house, and conversely in the morning, the natural light enters the house, producing a stunning effect for the residents as the sun rises again.

As the sun goes down, the whole aesthetic of the house changes, and the perforated steel surround comes into its own.

The interior of the house is cleverly designed. The constraints on space has led them to design multi-functional furniture.  All the cupboards and tables sit on castors, so any number of combinations and layouts are possible. The cupboards contain extra foldaway furniture, so the bedroom can easily become the living room and then the dining room with minimal fuss.

Once the bed folds back into the wall cavity, the room completely changes. This reduces clutter in the living area and keeps in mind a "simple life" that the house helps to induce.

Behind the wall containing the bed one finds the bathroom area, consisting of a sink, toilet and shower unit which are linked to the grey-water recycling system.

On the wall is the integrated Ekihouse control system that gives the residents immediate access to information about energy usage and room temperatures. It also allows them to control and programme lighting, air-condtioning, home entertainment among a whole host of other choices. The touch-screen interface is easy to use and is fairly intuitive.

The kitchen units are hidden in the far wall, where highly efficient appliances have been chosen to again minimise energy usage, ensuring the electrical needs for the house are all provided by the rooftop PV array.

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