Exploded House Keeps Interior Cool With Rooftop Rainwater Pools

In Bodrum, in southwest <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/19/wind-powered-cultural-memorial-park-for-turkey/" target="_blank">Turkey</a>, antiquated building codes restrict homes to a size of 75 sq meters or less, making constructing new homes a bit more challenging. Global Architectural Development responded to this law by designing a house made of three separate buildings connected by glass atrias. Dubbed the 'Exploded House' this <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/09/09/the-montara-house-maximizes-sunlight-on-foggy-california-coast/" target="_blank">concrete houme</a> sits neatly above the port settlement and takes advantage of breezes through electronic sliding windows. However, one of the more interesting features of the Exploded Home is that the roof has been covered in pools that <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/09/08/sustainable-bamboo-pavilion-for-communal-living/" target="_blank">collect rainwater</a>, and act as a natural cooling system for the structure.

Composed of three volumes - each less than 75 sq meters to meet building codes - the home is 'exploded' into three parts.

The home is located up above the bay in Bodrum and takes advantage of natural sea breezes to help keep it cool.

Built of concrete and glass, the buildings are joined by a large glass atrium in the center.

A lap pool is built off the atrium on a slightly lower grade.

Natural light floods in interior atrium space and natural ventilation is used to help cool the home.

Located slightly below the home is a self-contained apartment building.

The atrium acts as the entrance to the building as well as the heart of the home connecting to each of the individual volumes.

The home's large windows electronically operated and can open flush with the floor to allow sea breezes to flood the house.

With the windows fully open the home connects with the outdoors and the surrounding landscape, using sea breezes to keep it cool.

Meanwhile rainwater collected on the roof is used to keep the home cool through evapotranspiration.

The exploded home is composed of three volumes serving as the master bedroom and bathroom; kitchen and dining; and a guest room and study connected by the atrium.