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Natural Processes and Materials
- kasestudieskj
- Mar 2
- 3 min read
La Casa en El Bosque is a property that I noticed thanks to one of my favorite YouTube channels Kirsten Dirksen. Between the video and the website of the projects architect, Elisabetta Quarta Colosso - this project has a lot of details shared with the public.
What I like most about this project is that the programming is focused almost entirely on natural processes.
It uses responsibly considered materials for the assemblies. It conditions the inhabited space in a passive, but responsive way. There is a relationship with the hillside and the sun path. And all this is achieved while retaining its own water and recycling it into a natural pool for relaxation at home.
The topics I want to briefly introduce through this kasestudy are:
Passive Heating and Cooling
Biogenic Materials
Water Collection
Passive heating and passive cooling refers to the design that utilizes natural energy sources and the surrounding environment to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, without mechanical systems.
Examples in this kasestudy -
Solar Orientation: This home is oriented to maximize sunlight exposure during winter months, while minimizing it during summer. For instance, the south-facing Trombe wall is placed to maximize solar exposure year round.
Thermal Masses: Dark and thick materials like brick, stone, and concrete can absorb warmth from sunlight during the day and releases it in the evening.
Cross Ventilation: Designing windows and vents to allow for natural airflow through a building. Strategically placed windows on opposite walls can create a breeze that cools the interior as air flows through. The movement of air into and out of a building due to differences in air density can also be manipulated with vertical ventilation.
Highlight - Trombe Walls
All the above concepts are utilized or manipulated in a Trombe wall design.
Trombe walls are passive solar heating systems that consist of a thick, dark-colored wall positioned behind a transparent surface.
They absorb sunlight during the day, storing heat and releasing it slowly into the building at night.
Shafts at the top and bottom can be opened or closed to help with the circulation of internal air. For example, when warm air is heated on the glass face and flows through the upper shafts, it draws cool air through the bottom.
Biogenic materials are implemented at every opportunity in this projects design. This project used cork, wood, compressed earth, cellular concrete, as well as lime and silicate paints..
Biogenic materials are materials that come from living organisms. They are usually renewable and biodegradable. Leading to production and practices that are more ecologically responsible and sustainable.
Cork is especially sustainable in this case. It comes from the bark of cork oaks (Quercus Suber), trees that grow in areas with a Mediterranean climate. This makes it localized at La Casa en El Bosque.
During the harvesting of the bark there is almost no waste of material, since even the smallest piece is reused.
Responsible cork harvesting from a single tree can take place every 9 years, which is necessary for the bark to regenerate. This means that a single tree can be harvested multiple times and its production will well exceed its waste. The cork used in the home will last decades while each decade the tree can produce more materials for other uses.
Additionally, it has some very strong maintenance qualities. It is lightweight. It is water resistant. And it is thermally resistant, making it a good insulation material.
Bonus: Natural Pool
Natural pools, are designed to mimic natural bodies of water, featuring plants and gravel to filter and purify the water. This biological filtration system can be used instead of chemicals to maintain water clarity and quality.
In this projects case, the pool blends into both the landscape and the water access system.
The site captures and holds water in an upper tank under the vehicle parking. When it is used, it cycles through the home and funnels to the bottom of the property where the pool collects, cleanses and releases it slowly to the surrounding environment.
Furthermore, these pools support biodiversity, offering habitats for various wildlife. All while promoting a sustainable approach for owning a pool.
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