House With a Glass Roofed Core

[fbartels]

Thought I'd try a house with a glass roofed core. Sort of a greenhouse in the center of a house. I think the result is interesting but needs more development. I need to relook at how Renzo Piano handles the defusing of light in his glass roofs. There is also an Endless Pool to make my wife happy.

[solo]

Hey Fred, long time no see... what!! no organic forms?

I like this, something that I would like for my home, I've always enjoyed atriums and courtyards, so this would be just perfect.

[fymoro]

Nice concept Fred

[idraft]

yes nice concept, I built my home with an open glazed entrance / hall way (approx 9m x 2m) extending to another glazed hallway (getting direct sun) which leads to 3 bedrooms / my office. I have to say that I get VERY HOT in the summer and VERY cold in the winter, as the roof is not a good insulator, so word of warning really - great concept thought, just spend extra time / money to insulation as required. (You could always have a retractable roof)

Mind you its great the rest of the time, and ya get lots good comments.

[EddyNL]

Nice design Fred, I think an atrium in a house would be very cool!

[fbartels]

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback.

Pete, trying to lay off curvy shapes for a while. I was thinking about getting your plant collection (now those are some real organic forms) to populate the atrium if I continue to develop the model.

idraft... I like the idea of something retractable, maybe fabric. Perhaps an old roller-reefed genoa sail.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing

I really like how Renzo Piano handles the glass in his Punte Nave workshop. This is the sort of look and feel I'm aiming for.

Images from Piano's website: http://rpbw.r.ui-pro.com/

Fred

[idraft]

And here are another couple of options - they maybe on the expensive side but Kalwal has some options and has insulating factor.
I like the Paino web and glass roof, nice natural lighting. It appears to have operational control to the louvres mounted over a glazing system, with little structure

http://www.kalwall.com/nanogel.htm
http://www.stoakes.co.uk/pages/kalwall/CAD.htm

another polycarb option ($?)
http://www.everlight.co.nz/html/description.htm

[fbartels]

idraft,

Thanks so much for the links. Some really interesting translucent panel solutions are available.

I think I'm inclined to lean toward some sort of fabric shading system and not give up the transparent glass.

Below are a few night renders of the atrium house. They are a quite dark but they provide an impression of how the house might appear at night.