Sample house O.V.E.-1

There were three underlying principles according to which the house OVE-1 was designed for one or two families.

1. Functionality and adaptability to changing requirements.

Analysis of a situation on local market of residential buildings indicates a permanently growing demand

for buildings or, in a wider perspective, building types which would be more convenient to use and adaptable to family's requirements over a longer period of time. Interior works of sample hous OVE-1 can be carried out in different phases by finishing separate floors in different times if needed. When the size of a family changes - children moving out or getting married - it is possible to turn a one family house into a house with two separate flats just by closing the opening between the foyer and the wind lock. A building can also be used with rooms to lease on upper floor or as a bed & breakfast type lodging.

OVE-1 plans forone family house		OVE-1 plans fortwo family house

2. Sustainability and durability.

Exact estimation of heating and maintenance cost as well as their reduction is becoming more and more important. Based on this, the heat resistance of exterior walls and insulated parts sloping roof of Ove-1 are higher than the average R for exterior walls is 3,8m2°C/W and for insulated roof 4,6m2°C/W.Calculated annual consumption of energy for heating and ventilation is ca 3MWh. When using petrol for heating, the yearly consumption would be ca 2,8 t.

Based on that and on the obligation to be more careful when using natural resources, the building is designed in such a way that it can be used over a period considerably longer tha a person's life time. All the load bearing walls are of concrete blocks, isolated with rock-wool and covered with brick sidings. The floors are made of precast concrete slabs. This type of construction allows for a bigger heat accumaltion within the structure of the building as well as for better fire resistance. Hence the former would make the interior climate less influenced by frequent temperature changes outside the building and latter woulde enable to fit this building also to smaller lots.

3. Traditionalism and retention.

Being deeply convinced the vitality of traditional building methods and details, as well as believing& in the necessity to incorporate them into today's building practice and providing an alternative to mainly stylistical neo-functional or minimalistic contemporary housing projects, OVE-1 family house is designed to be traditional. Symmetrical facade, vertical window openings, arched brick lintels demonstrate the ncessity to show more than mere functional pragmatism. Natural materials as well as conservative and neutral exterior help to melt the building into nature an man-made enviroment.

Arhitekt Allan Strus