Ecological House of the Future
Bao An, Shenzhen China | Shenzhen City Seaside Garden Park | 2001
This 200 square meter apartment is a glimpse of the future of ecological environments in China. The general ambiance is one of living in a natural setting surrounded by the curving and undulating forms of natural wind, swept stone interspersed with moving waterfalls, water ponds, and an abundance of plants. This list of ambiance has more significance than design aesthetic, it creates a self sustaining environment within the apartment. The Shenzhen Ecological House is a living, interconnected system of self-regulating sewage treatment, clean water, recycled air, natural breeze control, and self-activating windows automatically adjustable to the days sunlight.
Living Room View: Guests enjoy each others presence as they take in the benefits of a self sustainable-ecological living space.
Special Features:
Overhead waterfall which oxygenates water for cleaning, all while helping purify and filter interior air.
An interconnected system of constructed wetlands, water plants, and ponds that transform sewage water into clean water for skins, toilets, washing machines, and showers.
Motorized opening and closing skylights that regulate temperature, humidity, and breeze.
Exterior photovoltaic solar panels convert sunlight into electricity which is then stored for home use.
Plants located at upper and lower wall levels concave with built-in lighting to emphasize the natural ambiance.
The effect of built-in lighting allows all lighting to be hidden and adjustable. No need for store-bought fixtures, free-standing lights, or wall sconces.
One meter diameter rotating closets are easily accessed and take up meager space. Closet storage capacity is however equal to a three meter long closet.
8. Open-circular-kitchen minimizes amount of travel around kitchen, and allows persons in kitchen to converse with guests in all dining and living areas. The kitchens circular form also grants users easy and efficient access to all fixed appliances.
9. Three bedrooms feature circular beds in a natural, cocoon-like setting for greater privacy.
10. A centrally located bathroom has two entry doors for private and public use, alongside a raised bath and shower area with direct panoramic views outside. Countertops, skinks, and cabinets are made of shatter proof glass for easy cleaning and a direct view to items stored.
11. All exterior windows are clear hemispheres which allow viewers to see left and right of buildings exterior, simultaneously. Windows also provide greater sunlight and wind resistance economically.
12. Upper level hollow glass partitions provide natural lighting throughout all interior spaces thus giving an important sense of freedom rather than confinement.
13. A glass enclosed private office near the rear doorway allows inhabitants to work and live in the same setting. This office has functionally designed features like a hidden work station which can pull out or retract into the wall.
Waterfall View: Waterfall can be viewed when entering the apartment and from office space opposite the main entrance. Lotus blossoms and purifying water plants clean water while creating beautiful pool.
Bedroom View: Features include but not limited to: raised platform beds, study alcoves, storage points, ceiling skylight, built in lights, and access to a large-centrally located bathroom.
Kitchen View: The vistas from the kitchen make it a central area of the apartment. Instead of the hidden kitchen of old, the kitchen of the future is the heart of activity within the home.
Exterior:
In sum, the future ecological house of China will be a place as beautiful and spiritually powerful as the forests, mountains, lakes, desserts, and oceans of our planet. It will be a place of mutual benefit for nature and humanity, following the true premise of architecture. A rejuvenating place where a person can come closer to the technological wisdom and poetic power of nature. Eugene Tssui’s Ecological House of the Future, the future of homes in China.
