EQUINOX HOUSE

Equinox House
Status: Honorable Mention

The project, designed for platform ARCHIOL, presents a unique and sustainable small house design that seamlessly integrates
nature and modern living. While trying to design a tiny, 37m2, Off The Grid House, the core concept revolves around the preservation of an indigenous tree at the center of the house, symbolizing the harmony between nature and architecture. This tree serves a dual purpose, as its base also functions as a compost zone, accessible directly from the kitchen, allowing for organic waste to enrich the soil.

The interior of the house features a biosphere, facilitated by sponge-incorporated ceilings that maintain
constant irrigation for interior plants. These ceilings also serve as rainwater collectors, directing the
water to an interior well for repurification. The overall design of the house is a blend of classical and
modern geometries, inspired by the suns movement during the Spring Equinox.

From the North-Western perspective, the house showcases its transformation from a traditional
structure to a contemporary form. The flat roof of the bedroom collects rainwater, which is then
transported to the central water well for purification. The WC is designed to offer privacy while still
incorporating the exterior through its facade.

The exterior skin is porous, providing ample sunlight for the greenhouse and vertical garden in the living
room. This interior vertical garden is situated on the south-eastern facade and is primarily used for
vegetable cultivation. A small, exterior chicken coop is placed underneath the house for protein access.
The bedroom, positioned on the highest level of the house, employs passive architectural design by
accumulating heat from the lower levels to minimize the need for active heating appliances. An outdoor
terrace extends from the houses geometry, accessible from both the living room and kitchen. The living
room incorporates plants for consumption and decoration, creating a warm ambiance. PV panels are
added to the western slope of the gable, providing electricity and shaded areas in the living space.
The main entrance on the northern facade leads to the kitchen and staircase to the upper bedrooms.
The existing tree at the center of the house maintains its natural function as part of a seed dispersal and
pollination network, providing a thriving environment for insects and birds.

This innovative design fosters a symbiotic relationship between nature and modern living, promoting sustainability and ecological awareness.