permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lflj@intrex.net>]

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/02/07/neat-house-uses-wate.html
Posted by Mark Frauenfelder, February 7, 2008 4:34 PM | permalink
The beautiful Cape Schank House in Victoria, Australia, designed by Paul Morgan Architects, has some interesting 
features, including a rain water tank in the middle of the living room. Picture 3-89
Within the living room the ceiling wraps down to an internal water tank. The tank cools the ambient air temperature of 
the living room during summer, supplies rain water, and structurally carries the roof load.

http://materialicio.us/2008/02/07/cape-schank-house-paul-morgan-architects/
Cape Schank House, Victoria, Australia.
This house is located in an area near rugged coastline subject to strong prevailing winds and sits within an expanse of 
native tea tree. The pattern of tree growth is caused by light stimulus, or phototropism. In this project the analysis 
of dynamic forces - wind energy, wind turbulence and phototropism - have informed the modeling of the building envelope.
Within the living room the ceiling wraps down to an internal water tank. The tank cools the ambient air temperature of 
the living room during summer, supplies rain water, and structurally carries the roof load. Excess water drains to an 
external tank, and is used for flushing toilets, irrigating the garden, washing wetsuits and occasionally for drinking. 
During winter the tank is drained and wrapped in an insulating jacket. The tank also plays an important role in 
organizing the living area into four discrete zones: kitchen, living, eating and work.
Wind scoops on the south elevation also act as a passive thermal device. These scoops trap cooling winds during summer 
whilst providing shading from the hot afternoon sun.
Paul Morgan Architects  Photos: Peter Bennetts