The project proposes a bioclimatic approach for mountain area habitations that is inspired by vernacular architecture. The habitations are built partially into sloping fields for thermal stability. The upper story faces south to capture solar energy in winter and is shaded in summer. Heating and hot water are provided by air-water pumps and solar panels. Utilities use a nearby spring for water and a micro-station treats wastewater. Natural ventilation occurs through east-west cavities and a soil-based ventilation system. Buried lower levels use light tubes for natural lighting. This approach aims to minimize environmental impact, use local materials, blend with the landscape, and reduce energy consumption and costs.

1. [ page 1 ]
Holcim Awards 2007/08 | Submission PDF
C
[ Project title ]
Main author and contact details
Project description
LA05_CTXOZ
[ Office ID]
Project data
Further author(s) & legal guardian(s)
Project information
Prize money distribution statement
Bio-climatic Approach for Mountain Area Habitations HA08_BAKJC
City
Rasnov
Country
Romania
Type
Architecture (housing)
Status of planning
Under construction
Status of formal
permission
Approved
Estimated start of
construction
Okt '07
Last modfied
Feb 28, 2008
Name Mr., Radu, Horatiu , m, 1967
Profession Architect
Organization RAM ART CONSTRUCT
Address str. Voronet nr. 16, bl. A15, ap. 30,
sector 3
ZIP code 031554
City Bucharest
Country Romania
Telephone +4021328927
Fax +4021328927
Email office@ramart.ro
Website www.ramart.ro
Further authors: 1.: Mr.Badileanu, Ioan Razvan, Architect, 1974-04-08, m, office@ramart.ro, RAM
ART CONSTRUCT, Bucharest, Romania; 2.: Msr.Radu, Alina Mihaela, Architect, 1968-02-04, f,
office@ramart.ro, RAM ART CONSTRUCT, Bucharest, Romania; 3.: Mr.Draghicescu, Ciprian,
Architect, 1979-02-10, m, office@ramart.ro, RAM ART CONSTRUCT, Bucharest, Romania
Mr. Horatiu Radu 60%
Mr. Ioan Razvan Badileanu 30%
Mrs. Alina-Mihaela Radu 5%
Inspired by the vernacular architecture, the volumetry considers the inclusion of part of the built volume into the slope of the field.
The habitations of primitive civilisations were often caved into the land or covered with soil. The advantage of integrating the
construction into the surrounding land and of covering it partially of totally with grass is that the soil is a natural moderator of
temperature. Even below the freezing point, the temperature of the soil remains relatively constant. Thus, a construction located
under the land surface will have a very stable temperature all year long as compared to one located on the surface. Depending on its
characteristics, the soil slows down the caloric exchange to such a degree that very small quantities of energy are needed for
supplementary heating or cooling of the place.
The habitations are facing South and the back part is engulfed by the slope of the field. The upper storey is conceived for daily
activities and structured so that it benefits from a passive greenhouse effect in winter. The window surfaces of the upper part are
facing South and West for capturing solar energy; this system gains additional heat by using 60-75% of the solar energy hitting the
glass. In summer time, the window surfaces can be covered with wooden shades for thermoisolation.
The project avoids major alterations of the topography of the place and of the vegetation, and limits the used surface for the building
in favour of the existing vegetation. The roofs of the habitations are partially covered with grass. This confers a good integration into
the landscape and maximises the surface for vegetation at the site. The trees and the short vegetation contribute to the passive
control of the shade.
Supplementary heating is ensured by air-water heating pumps. The running water comes from a near-by spring, and the used waters
are directed to a micro station for biological purification before ending into a river situated close to the site. The hot running water is
secured through solar heating systems.
Natural ventilation is favoured by cavities of the East-West facades and is complemented by an auxiliary system for heating-cooling
which captures air through a network of tubes positioned in the depth of the field.
For the level buried in the soil, natural lighting is ensured by a light-tube system that captures natural light through an ingenious
system of mirrors.
From the functional perspective, the project innovates by placing the night area at the ground storey, the one buried in the soil, and
this confers a high thermal and acoustic confort. The day area is located in the upper storey and makes good use of the beautiful
scenery of Rasnoavei Valley.

2. [ page 2 ]
Holcim Awards 2007/08 | Submission PDF
Measuring up to the target issues for sustainable construction
Bio-climatic Approach for Mountain Area Habitations
HA08_BAKJC
[ Self assessment ]
Quantum change and transferability
The project aims to achieve an original model for habitations placed on fields with increased slope, demonstrating the compatibility
of vernacular architecture and new technologies for optimizing energy consumption. This is a model which can be easily transferred
and studied throughly.
[ Self assessment ]
Ethical standards and social equity
Since the contemporary habitations are a large consumer of energy, the project comes with a solution for an economical model,
which is also an impulse for paying extra attention to green areas in the immediate proximity of the habitation.The project can be
evaluated from the perspective of an attempt for fusing man with natural environment.
[ Self assessment ]
Ecological quality and energy conservation
The project avoids major alterations of the topography of the place , and limits the used surface for the building in favour of existing
vegetation. Heating is ensured by air-water heating pumps. Fresh water comes from a near-by spring. The hot running water is
produced by a solar heating system.Natural ventilation is favoured by an auxiliary system .
[ Self assessment ]
Economic performance and compatibility
The utilisation of mainly local materials (eg, wood, sand, natural stone) and of local labour force lead to a good return on investment
. Also, the integration of the built volume into the grassy soil makes the long-term maintenance costs to be relatively lower . In
addition, lower exploitation costs are expected because of the massive energy saving for heating, cooling and lighting.
[ Self assessment ]
Contextual and aesthetic impact
The beauty of expressiveness of the natural landscape have generated a contextual architectural response. The built volumes aim a
better and organic blending with the natural environment. Although very contemporary, the architectural response stresses the
profound roots of a prehistorical life style and, in the same time, generates an ingenious synthesis between old and new.

3. [ page 3 ]
Holcim Awards 2007/08 | Submission PDF
Project visualization
Bio-climatic Approach for Mountain Area Habitations
HA08_BAKJC
Placing the site
The architectural response to the
natural landscape

4. [ page 4 ]
Holcim Awards 2007/08 | Submission PDF
Bio-climatic Approach for Mountain Area Habitations
HA08_BAKJC
Contextual, aesthetic impact System of utility
Energy save, natural lighting