This residence is the realization of the final proposal submitted to the Smart Energy House Competition organized by Toho Gas. It integrates three energy sources—solar power, fuel cells, and storage batteries—along with a Home Energy Management System (HEMS). The house meets next-generation energy-saving standards and functions not only as a site for demonstration experiments but also as a showroom.
The design aimed to create an architectural framework that optimizes seasonal light and wind. In the aftermath of the 3.11 disaster, considerations for achieving zero energy became particularly important. In response, we proposed two key concepts: the "Cat House" and the "Uneven House."
The Cat House was conceived to offer a high degree of freedom in daily life by allowing residents to find comfortable spots on their own, rather than optimizing every space for seasonal efficiency. This concept aimed for a lightweight and flexible living environment.
The Uneven House focused on harnessing prevailing winds to form a broader and more comfortable residential setting. Instead of uniform building volumes, clusters of smaller units with numerous walls were employed. These structures facilitate airflow during the summer, potentially helping to mitigate the heat island effect.
Building upon these design principles, we introduced the concept of a "Dotted Line Space." Spaces delineated by dotted lines feel both enclosed and open, creating an ambiguous boundary that blurs the line between interior and exterior. Multiple layers of these dotted boundaries generate a porous environment, influencing visual perception and the spatial relationship between rooms—particularly in terms of transparency and privacy.
Moreover, the porous eave spaces regulate sunlight according to seasonal angles, while the vertically connected open areas enhance gravitational ventilation. This architectural approach enables a new lifestyle in which residents can choose between a zero-energy living environment that maximizes natural resources, and a high-performance residential setting utilizing advanced technologies powered by the three energy sources and HEMS.