juri troy architects fashion VELUX sunlighthouse, austria's first C02-neutral home

‘VELUX sunlighthouse’ by vienna-based practice juri troy architects is austria’s first CO2-neutral single-family house located in the small town of pressbaum, austria. developed as a part of the VELUX company’s pan european experiment – ‘model home 2020’ – the project explores progressive and sustainable building methods for a greener living.
‘VELUX sunlighthouse’ by juri troy architects in pressbuam, austria
all images courtesy juri troy architects
image © adam mørk

exterior view
image © adam mørk

one of six houses in five european countries, the multi-storey design is site-specific to austria, drawing from the full potential of the plot such as the views, exposure to sunlight, and proximity to adjacent structures. the slender site features a natural decline in its topography as well as a grouping of tall mature trees to the southeast; two neighbouring houses flank the plot, leaving a small scope of privacy in between. the design responds by offering a large, sheltered aperture that opens up at the bottom of the hill with a dramatically angled roofline that collects solar energy from the south. wrapped in a skin of spruce planks, the resulting volume exhibits a dynamic identity and aesthetic.

interior view of kitchen
image © adam mørk

developed in collaboration with the danube university of krems, the energy concept of the house include a high performing heat pump, 43 m2 mono crystalline photovoltaic roof panels, 8 m2 thermal solar panels for hot water and a controlled air system with heat recovery. the interior benefits from an abundant level of daylight from generous stretches of glazing and sky light, reducing the overall demand for energy consumption. in addition, the strategically placed windows aid in optimal natural ventilation during the summer as well as minimal thermal loss during the winter. the project’s total window area is equal to 42% of its floor area. continuing on the language of the facades, the interior is finished with spruce wood that has been treated with white-pigmented natural oil to maximize on the daylighting effect.

window seating
image © adam mørk