Black House

Residential for A-01

The Black House forms part of the modular No Footprint House series. The climate responsive designs of the project are based on passive strategies such as site specific positioning and the use of natural resources for cross ventilation, solar shading and energy production, as well as rainwater harvesting and biological water filtration. Industrial construction techniques create a high level of efficiency that can be delivered to any target location, combined with locally harvested and renewable materials to promote integral sustainability and regenerative development for the built environment.

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Black House by Oliver Schütte

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Residential by Oliver Schütte

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Oliver Schütte Black House

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Oliver Schütte Residential

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Unique Properties

The Black House was designed as steel structure with wooden finishes, providing space for its owners to live and work in one compact unit. All wood is sustainably grown in Costa Rica. The country is defined by a unique level of biodiversity, which itself is derived from a series of micro-climates that the house responds to locally. Operable facade elements open the building interiors towards their natural surroundings, resulting in a symbiotic relationship among nature and the built environment.

Tags

Architecture, Bioclimatic Architecture, Regeneration, No Footprint House, No Footprint Community, Regenerative Development, Sustainability, Sustainable Construction, Wellbeing, Zero Footprint

Production Technology

The Black House was designed as a three-level steel structure with wooden finishes, providing space for its owners to live and work in one compact unit. All wood is FSC certified and sustainably grown in Costa Rica. Operable facade elements open the interiors of the house towards their natural surroundings, resulting in a symbiotic relationship among nature and the built environment. Costa Rica is defined by a unique level of biodiversity, which itself is derived from a series of micro climates.

Design Challenge

The No Footprint House was initiated to showcase the potential of decarbonized housing, based on a roadmap to a sector-wide decarbonization in Costa Rica. The project was first introduced to the public at the 2019 international conference for climate change by the United Nations. A life cycle assessment was made to illustrate the path to decarbonization. Different building typologies can be configured with sustainable materials and components according to the specific needs of each the client.

Project Duration

The Black House was developed as a prototype for the colder and mountainous climates of Costa Rica. The country is defined by a unique level of biodiversity, which itself is derived from a series of micro-climates. The goal of the No Footprint House series is to create model homes for all of the climatic variations of the country, finding sustainable and regenerative solutions for living and coexisting with the tropical habitat. The overall project was started in 2018 and is projected to last.

Operation Flow

The project was started as a series of case study homes to illustrate the potential of decarbonized housing, based on a broader roadmap to level carbon emissions sector-wide. Industrial and prefabricated building techniques optimize production efficiency, in combination with locally sourced and renewable materials such as bamboo, hempcrete and different types of wood. Materials are developed in collaboration with the local building industry in order to stimulate local and circular economies.

Research

Costa Rica has shifted from a strategy of sustainability to regenerative development. This condition creates numerous implications for the Black House as part of the No Footprint House series. The project is optimized through industrial and prefabricated building techniques. It drives innovation through the development and incorporation of renewable and locally sourced materials in combination with passive design strategies and local energy production, the first of its kind in Central America.

Inspiration

The primary inspiration for the Black House and its overaching No Footprint House series is nature, as well as the question of how to ease the impact of construction on the environment. Since the creation of the first prototype, new and alternative construction materials have been developed and integrated to continuously improve project performance while stimulating local and circular economies. A broad range of typologies have been built in response to the specific locations and client needs.

Image Credits

A-01, A Company and A Foundation, with Azure Peace

Project Overview

Black House Residential has been a Silver winner in the Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design award category in the year 2023 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

Oliver Schütte was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to excellence of their work Black House Residential.

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