BioCasa_82

Although built to the strictest environmental requirements, the new detached house in the Veneto countryside of northeast Italy, has not relinquished any aspect of occupant comfort and wellbeing. The BioCasa_82 programme has harnessed the very latest technology to ensure energy efficiency, thermal insulation and general comfort-zone parameters such as ventilation, light, temperature, humidity and the absence of harmful gases. It is in fact the first private residence in Europe to be awarded the certificate of conformity to the highest level of LEED for homes. The building is equally efficient on a broader scale. For the first time in Italy, a private investigation calculated the construction’s “carbon dioxide footprint” for a time span of 100 years, reporting a 60% reduction compared with traditional buildings. Great care was taken to select certified recyclable environment-friendly materials, like stone and concrete that were either locally sourced or came from locations close by. The programme complies with local regulations that demand pitched roofs and timber shutters but set its own standards of excellence that began with the initial concept and subsequent design. The house has two aboveground storeys. The ground floor level is occupied by a living zone, kitchen and dining area while the upper level is given over to the night zone. The building comprises two connected blocks, their shape and materials resonating with each other. The large glazed lights of the south-facing living area give on to a timber-paved “patio” enclosed on each side by double-slatted sun-shading extensions in European larch and by a retractable awning. A double-height space provides a visual link between the day and night zones and further underlines the way the building has been designed to embrace the surrounding countryside. Another focal point is the staircase. Entirely white with timber banisters, it rises against timber profiles of the same colour lining the back wall. A key architectural feature, the staircase stands out against the plaster walls, natural colour timber flooring and furniture, a tasteful combination of modern designer and antique pieces and collector art items.

Ventilation + Heat recovery

Innovative cooling system

Shading system

Photovoltaics

Grey Water Recycling

Water-saving sanitary appliances

Sustainable building materials

Recycled materials

Low-emitting materials and finishes

High efficient lighting

Daylight sensors

Occupancy sensors

Innovative wastewater systems

Landscaped areas with no irrigation

Smart design (passive design strategies)

Ground Source Heat Pump

Regional materials

Daylighting maximised

No light pollution

Waste reduction commitment

Zero waste building