• This three-bedroom house was designed to be located in a mountainous region in Cayey, overlooking the south side of the island and the Caribbean Sea.
• A deep overhang in the southern facing façade is intended to minimize solar heat gain on the interior as well as to open it to the principal views on its longer side.
• The design relies heavily on passive ventilation and illumination. Consequently, it uses ‘hot air chimneys’ that create airflow by extracting hot air from the principal spaces. The chimneys also double as vertical skylights that bring natural light to the interior.
• The open façade has a layer of movable aluminum panels that will serve as hurricane shutters as well as provide security for the house.
• The house will have a green roof that will be covered with low-maintenance native plants, therefore reducing rainwater run off and solar heat gain, as well as minimizing the heat island effect.
• The house will use sustainable technologies such as high insulating structure (using ‘Concretek’ panels), grey water system, a wind turbine, green roof and the intensive use of natural lighting and ventilation.
• Although the design of this house relies on modular components, a great effort has been put into its integration to the existing site. A series of stone covered walls help to tie the formally stable rectangular module with the irregular site contours. These walls also help to create spatial sequences defined by zigzagging walls, patios and balconies.