Sky House

The architectural components used to achieve the illusion of corporeal suspension, are simultaneously the essential ingredients for a low-carbon house in arid climates.

Sustainability in the service of pleasure. The house is half house half pool. The interior temperature of the house is regulated by the pool water. The exterior wall of the pool forms the interior walls of the house. The wall works as a heat exchange device. To maximize exchange, it is shaped as a series of stacked continuous cooling ribs, assuming a form for maximum surface to air exchange. The filtration system of the pool runs the water by a tank of Phase Change Materials (PCM) encapsulated in 7.60 cm diameter plastic capsules. During the day the PCM absorbs solar energy embedded in the water. At night, the PCM release that energy into the water and subsequently back into the house.

The roof is covered by 2.50cm of water, making the pool, hot tub and roof into a single reflective surface. The sky and its reflection in the water merge seamlessly. People walking on the roof deack appear to be floating in space.
Concept Collage, 1999
Perspective
The roof surface/deck is covered by 2.5cm of water
It renders the pool, hot tub and roof deck into a single reflective surface
The pool and roof surface are black, to increase the reflectivity of the water surface
A combination of mist makers and ultra sonic atomizers eliminate…
…the horizon line.
Section
Elevation
Elevation
Interior View
Interior View – On the left is the staircase leading to the roof terrace, on the right is the ribbed surface of the pool
View Living Room – The hot tub reveals its presence in the ceiling of the living room.