Architecture

Edgeland Residence: a modern take on the Native American Pit House

Edgeland Residence: a modern take on the Native American Pit House
Pit Homes were used by some Native American tribes
Pit Homes were used by some Native American tribes
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Edgeland Residence takes up an area of 1400 square feet (130 square meters)
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Edgeland Residence takes up an area of 1400 square feet (130 square meters)
Pit Homes were used by some Native American tribes
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Pit Homes were used by some Native American tribes
The green roof is home to seasonal native flowers and helps to insulate the house
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The green roof is home to seasonal native flowers and helps to insulate the house
Edgeland Residence is built on ground formerly used as an industrial zone
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Edgeland Residence is built on ground formerly used as an industrial zone
Over 40 kinds of native flora have been carefully re-introduced to the area
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Over 40 kinds of native flora have been carefully re-introduced to the area
The patio absorbs heat from the hot sun and transfers it via a Geothermal System to other parts of the house
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The patio absorbs heat from the hot sun and transfers it via a Geothermal System to other parts of the house
A smart-pool is also integrated into the Geothermal System
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A smart-pool is also integrated into the Geothermal System
The green roof is home to seasonal native flowers and helps to insulate the house
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The green roof is home to seasonal native flowers and helps to insulate the house
The interior of Edgeland Residence is broken up into two distinct areas meant for sleeping and living
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The interior of Edgeland Residence is broken up into two distinct areas meant for sleeping and living
The house was completed in 2012
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The house was completed in 2012
Vacuum-pumped double glazed windows also feature in the design
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Vacuum-pumped double glazed windows also feature in the design
Natural resources are harnessed where possible, with a series of energy-saving technologies combining to reduce the carbon footprint of Edgeland Residence
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Natural resources are harnessed where possible, with a series of energy-saving technologies combining to reduce the carbon footprint of Edgeland Residence
Edgeland Residence required an excavation of 7 feet (2.1 meters) depth
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Edgeland Residence required an excavation of 7 feet (2.1 meters) depth
View from the living area
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View from the living area
The interior of Edgeland Residence is broken up into two distinct areas meant for sleeping and living
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The interior of Edgeland Residence is broken up into two distinct areas meant for sleeping and living
Edgeland Residence required an excavation of 7 feet (2.1 meters) depth
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Edgeland Residence required an excavation of 7 feet (2.1 meters) depth
Occupants are required to come into contact with the outside elements for just long enough to be reminded of the surrounding nature
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Occupants are required to come into contact with the outside elements for just long enough to be reminded of the surrounding nature
The patio absorbs heat from the hot sun and transfers it via a Geothermal System to other parts of the house
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The patio absorbs heat from the hot sun and transfers it via a Geothermal System to other parts of the house
To pass between the two distinct sections, occupants are required to venture outside for just long enough to be reminded of their natural surroundings
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To pass between the two distinct sections, occupants are required to venture outside for just long enough to be reminded of their natural surroundings
Edgeland Residence is hailed as a beacon for sustainability
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Edgeland Residence is hailed as a beacon for sustainability
The patio area of Edgeland Residence
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The patio area of Edgeland Residence
Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
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Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
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Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
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Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
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Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
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Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
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Architectural sketches and drawings of Edgeland Residence
Edgeland Residence floor plan
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Edgeland Residence floor plan
Edgeland Residence site plan
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Edgeland Residence site plan
View gallery - 29 images

Edgeland Residence is a modern dwelling designed by the Bercy Chen Studio which sees the company rehabilitating land once considered unsuitable for occupation. Claimed to set a new standard for sustainability, it draws inspiration from the Native American Pit House, and is designed to impact the environment as little as possible.

Traditional Pit Homes are sunk into the ground in an effort to achieve a relatively stable temperature. Similarly, Edgeland Residence required an excavation of 7 feet (2.1 meters) depth. However, disturbance to the former brownfield site in Austin, Texas was kept to a minimum, as previous excavations to remove an old pipeline had already left a sizable scar.

Edgeland Residence takes up an area of 1400 square feet (130 square meters)
Edgeland Residence takes up an area of 1400 square feet (130 square meters)

Edgeland Residence utilizes an insulating “green roof,” which sports a layer of grass and is home to carefully re-introduced seasonal native flowers that should lend a slightly different look depending on the time of year. The courtyard is also an excellent area for observing the local wildlife, including hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and ant colonies.

The interior of the house is broken up into two distinct areas designed for sleeping and living. In order to pass between them, occupants are required to venture outside for just long enough to be reminded of their natural surroundings. It's a nice touch which would perhaps detract from the desirability of the dwelling in the UK's rainy Yorkshire, but should be practicable in balmy Austin.

The patio area of Edgeland Residence
The patio area of Edgeland Residence

Natural resources are harnessed where possible, with a series of energy-saving technologies combining to reduce the carbon footprint of Edgeland Residence. Rainwater is directed from the roof into channels which run the perimeter of the house, eventually reaching an underground water storage tank that's used to feed a rather complex “Geothermal System.”

The Geothermal System uses the Earth as a heat source in the winter, and a heat sink in the summer (using a series of buried pipes), thus reducing the amount of energy needed to artificially cool or heat the house. When required, a pump channels cool or warm water through copper pipes just below the floor and integrated into the ceiling, to maintain a comfortable temperature.

To pass between the two distinct sections, occupants are required to venture outside for just long enough to be reminded of their natural surroundings
To pass between the two distinct sections, occupants are required to venture outside for just long enough to be reminded of their natural surroundings

The patio area also plays a part in heating water, by absorbing heat from the sun and transferring it via more copper pipes to other parts of the house. Additionally, double-glazed windows incorporate an air pump to increase insulation, and a smart-pool also appears to feed into the overall Geothermal System – perhaps as a secondary area to deposit excess heat. The smart-pool itself does not feature a standard chlorine filter, but rather a diamond-coated electrode which produces oxidants to disinfect the water.

We’ve no hard figures on exactly how much energy is actually saved by the Geothermal System, but it's certainly an elegant method of reducing energy usage that’s sympathetic to the overall Pit House styling.

Edgeland Residence was commissioned by a science fiction writer with a penchant for modern architecture located on the fringes of abandoned industrial areas. The project was completed in 2012.

Source: Bercy Chen Studio via Design Milk

Edgeland Residence is a modern dwelling designed by the Bercy Chen Studio which sees the company rehabilitating land once considered unsuitable for occupation. Claimed to set a new standard for sustainability, it draws inspiration from the Native American Pit House, and is designed to impact the environment as little as possible.

Traditional Pit Homes are sunk into the ground in an effort to achieve a relatively stable temperature. Similarly, Edgeland Residence required an excavation of 7 feet (2.1 meters) depth. However, disturbance to the former brownfield site in Austin, Texas was kept to a minimum, as previous excavations to remove an old pipeline had already left a sizable scar.

Edgeland Residence takes up an area of 1400 square feet (130 square meters)
Edgeland Residence takes up an area of 1400 square feet (130 square meters)

Edgeland Residence utilizes an insulating “green roof,” which sports a layer of grass and is home to carefully re-introduced seasonal native flowers that should lend a slightly different look depending on the time of year. The courtyard is also an excellent area for observing the local wildlife, including hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and ant colonies.

The interior of the house is broken up into two distinct areas designed for sleeping and living. In order to pass between them, occupants are required to venture outside for just long enough to be reminded of their natural surroundings. It's a nice touch which would perhaps detract from the desirability of the dwelling in the UK's rainy Yorkshire, but should be practicable in balmy Austin.

The patio area of Edgeland Residence
The patio area of Edgeland Residence

Natural resources are harnessed where possible, with a series of energy-saving technologies combining to reduce the carbon footprint of Edgeland Residence. Rainwater is directed from the roof into channels which run the perimeter of the house, eventually reaching an underground water storage tank that's used to feed a rather complex “Geothermal System.”

The Geothermal System uses the Earth as a heat source in the winter, and a heat sink in the summer (using a series of buried pipes), thus reducing the amount of energy needed to artificially cool or heat the house. When required, a pump channels cool or warm water through copper pipes just below the floor and integrated into the ceiling, to maintain a comfortable temperature.

To pass between the two distinct sections, occupants are required to venture outside for just long enough to be reminded of their natural surroundings
To pass between the two distinct sections, occupants are required to venture outside for just long enough to be reminded of their natural surroundings

The patio area also plays a part in heating water, by absorbing heat from the sun and transferring it via more copper pipes to other parts of the house. Additionally, double-glazed windows incorporate an air pump to increase insulation, and a smart-pool also appears to feed into the overall Geothermal System – perhaps as a secondary area to deposit excess heat. The smart-pool itself does not feature a standard chlorine filter, but rather a diamond-coated electrode which produces oxidants to disinfect the water.

We’ve no hard figures on exactly how much energy is actually saved by the Geothermal System, but it's certainly an elegant method of reducing energy usage that’s sympathetic to the overall Pit House styling.

Edgeland Residence was commissioned by a science fiction writer with a penchant for modern architecture located on the fringes of abandoned industrial areas. The project was completed in 2012.

Source: Bercy Chen Studio via Design Milk

View gallery - 29 images
12 comments
12 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think it would make for an excellent hide away since it would probably be difficult to see or find if one did not know it was there. It looks - IMO - not only cool but green. I like it.
Rolf Hawkins
More pics of the interior would have been appreciated.
myeo
This is an interesting take on a partially underground house.
My biggest issue I have with this structure versus building a "square box": the length of the perimeter walls and the associated extra costs.
glazey
Definitely stylish, and we could use more of that in Austin where generic suburbs have been growing at alarming rates. I love the pool and separate living, sleeping space. I'm not sure viewing ant mounds would be considered a bonus, the fire ants here are mean. But my main worry is that the hottest days of the year in Austin are also the most humid. That place could get pretty damp if it's cooled through the walls and floor and not by a forced air system that traps the condensation.
christopher
I get to observe ant colonies from my house as well. Mostly in the kitchen.
bergamot69
So what is the advantage of not having a covered walkway between the two sides?
Bob
Looks neat but not very practical. Washing windows inside and out would become a full time job. Roof bracing looks a little weak unless there is some heavy metal concealed. The space in the middle could hold about three truck loads of blowing leaves and catch tons of snow. Worse yet where would all the melting snow water go. Under the doors? Not quite enough protection from a tornado and could be a nightmare of flying glass. But the neighborhood peeping Toms should enjoy it. Where was the garage?
Pat Kelley
These ventures will continue to be expensive "one-offs" until someone makes a successful multi-home development. In parts of the country with extreme weather. a community with connecting tunnels and a small shopping center would make this very attractive.
John Hagen-Brenner
Somehow, ther "Green" aspects seem to fall flat when it's a house that must have cost several million dollars to build. I like the overall configuration, but it feels a bit like living in a museum store. Needs earthy touches to dispell that sterile atmosphere.
Charles Bosse
Glazey, it sounds like the heating system is designed to dump heat into the ground, not primarily into water. That said, a big shallow pool will move a lot of heat into the air even in the most humid regions - just ask the guys at the cryogenics department in NHMFL, Tallahassee, FL.
Bob, last I checked, tornadoes, snow, and huge piles of leaves were not big problems in Austin, but this house looks at least as well equipped to deal with them as the standard design. I say that having just shoveled my way out of three feet of snow last week.
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