Architecture

Mo Ventus house shoots for net zero with shifting screens and windsail design

Mo Ventus house shoots for net zero with shifting screens and windsail design
The Mo Ventus luxury house concept from Todd Theodore Fix of FIXd Architecture/Design
The Mo Ventus luxury house concept from Todd Theodore Fix of FIXd Architecture/Design
View 36 Images
The large curve is designed to face prevailing winds and channel them towards four bi-directional wind turbines, which Todd Theodore Fix claims will increase the wind speed to produce five times as much energy
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The large curve is designed to face prevailing winds and channel them towards four bi-directional wind turbines, which Todd Theodore Fix claims will increase the wind speed to produce five times as much energy
The Mo Ventus zero-energy house uses retractable screens that regulate heat and a curved design to harness wind power more efficiently
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The Mo Ventus zero-energy house uses retractable screens that regulate heat and a curved design to harness wind power more efficiently
The Mo Ventus luxury house concept from Todd Theodore Fix of FIXd Architecture/Design
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The Mo Ventus luxury house concept from Todd Theodore Fix of FIXd Architecture/Design
The Mo Ventus zero-energy house uses retractable screens that regulate heat and a curved design to harness wind power more efficiently
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The Mo Ventus zero-energy house uses retractable screens that regulate heat and a curved design to harness wind power more efficiently
The name is derived from the Latin words "mōtus," meaning motion, and "ventus," meaning wind
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The name is derived from the Latin words "mōtus," meaning motion, and "ventus," meaning wind
One of the main ways the Mo Ventus home intends to conserve energy is with several layers of screens and insulated foam core shells surrounding the main living/dining area and office space
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One of the main ways the Mo Ventus home intends to conserve energy is with several layers of screens and insulated foam core shells surrounding the main living/dining area and office space
The name is derived from the Latin words "mōtus," meaning "motion," and "ventus," meaning "wind" – which also describe the two most prominent characteristics of the house
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The name is derived from the Latin words "mōtus," meaning "motion," and "ventus," meaning "wind" – which also describe the two most prominent characteristics of the house
One of the main ways the Mo Ventus home intends to conserve energy is with several layers of screens and insulated foam core shells surrounding the main living/dining area and office space
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One of the main ways the Mo Ventus home intends to conserve energy is with several layers of screens and insulated foam core shells surrounding the main living/dining area and office space
The most eye-catching aspect of the Mo Ventus house however is the large curve rising up the full height of the structure
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The most eye-catching aspect of the Mo Ventus house however is the large curve rising up the full height of the structure
Each screen layer would be seated on a moving track, allowing them to be retracted one by one, transforming the walls from opaque to filtered light to completely transparent
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Each screen layer would be seated on a moving track, allowing them to be retracted one by one, transforming the walls from opaque to filtered light to completely transparent
One of the main ways the Mo Ventus home intends to conserve energy is with several layers of screens and insulated foam core shells surrounding the main living/dining area and office space
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One of the main ways the Mo Ventus home intends to conserve energy is with several layers of screens and insulated foam core shells surrounding the main living/dining area and office space
As an added bonus, when all screens are fully retracted, the glass walls, floor, and ceiling are meant to give the impression of a room suspended in nature
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As an added bonus, when all screens are fully retracted, the glass walls, floor, and ceiling are meant to give the impression of a room suspended in nature
A series of photovoltaic arrays running along the length of the house would gather additional energy as well, with several hydrogen fuel cells storing any excess power for later use
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A series of photovoltaic arrays running along the length of the house would gather additional energy as well, with several hydrogen fuel cells storing any excess power for later use
As an added bonus, when all screens are fully retracted, the glass walls, floor, and ceiling are meant to give the impression of a room suspended in nature
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As an added bonus, when all screens are fully retracted, the glass walls, floor, and ceiling are meant to give the impression of a room suspended in nature
One of the main ways the Mo Ventus home intends to conserve energy is with several layers of screens and insulated foam core shells surrounding the main living/dining area and office space
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One of the main ways the Mo Ventus home intends to conserve energy is with several layers of screens and insulated foam core shells surrounding the main living/dining area and office space
The large curve is designed to face prevailing winds and channel them towards four bi-directional wind turbines, which Fix claims will increase the wind speed to produce five times as much energy
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The large curve is designed to face prevailing winds and channel them towards four bi-directional wind turbines, which Fix claims will increase the wind speed to produce five times as much energy
Having real-time control over the amount of natural heat and light entering each space throughout the day could let residents save energy in most climates and even during changing seasons
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Having real-time control over the amount of natural heat and light entering each space throughout the day could let residents save energy in most climates and even during changing seasons
The office of the Mo Ventus home juts out from the main building on a cantilevered bridge
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The office of the Mo Ventus home juts out from the main building on a cantilevered bridge
Having real-time control over the amount of natural heat and light entering each space throughout the day could let residents save energy in most climates and even during changing seasons
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Having real-time control over the amount of natural heat and light entering each space throughout the day could let residents save energy in most climates and even during changing seasons
A cantilevered bridge leading the office
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A cantilevered bridge leading the office
According to the designers, all these sustainable sources of energy would actually produce enough electricity for the house's day-to-day functions, even when completely disconnected from a grid
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According to the designers, all these sustainable sources of energy would actually produce enough electricity for the house's day-to-day functions, even when completely disconnected from a grid
Retractable screens regulate heat and light
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Retractable screens regulate heat and light
The designers are currently looking for funding and collaborators to turn the Mo Ventus concept into a reality
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The designers are currently looking for funding and collaborators to turn the Mo Ventus concept into a reality
The designers are currently looking for funding and collaborators to turn the Mo Ventus concept into a reality
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The designers are currently looking for funding and collaborators to turn the Mo Ventus concept into a reality
Since the Mo Ventus house was not designed for a specific client, most of the interior can be customized to the owner's liking
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Since the Mo Ventus house was not designed for a specific client, most of the interior can be customized to the owner's liking
Since the Mo Ventus house was not designed for a specific client, most of the interior can be customized to the owner's liking
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Since the Mo Ventus house was not designed for a specific client, most of the interior can be customized to the owner's liking
The main building is fairly open to be divided up into bedrooms, bathrooms, a garage, and more
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The main building is fairly open to be divided up into bedrooms, bathrooms, a garage, and more
The developers recommend a few eclectic features too, like a tube slide leading outside or an outdoor amphitheater with a retracting movie screen
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The developers recommend a few eclectic features too, like a tube slide leading outside or an outdoor amphitheater with a retracting movie screen
The main building is fairly open to be divided up into bedrooms, bathrooms, a garage, and more
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The main building is fairly open to be divided up into bedrooms, bathrooms, a garage, and more
FIXd says the Mo Ventus design could be applied almost anywhere in the world
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FIXd says the Mo Ventus design could be applied almost anywhere in the world
Ideally the house would be built on a sloping beachfront with moderate climates, where its sustainable features would best be put to use
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Ideally the house would be built on a sloping beachfront with moderate climates, where its sustainable features would best be put to use
Ideally the house would be built on a sloping beachfront with moderate climates, where its sustainable features would best be put to use
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Ideally the house would be built on a sloping beachfront with moderate climates, where its sustainable features would best be put to use
FIXd is estimating construction costs could range from US$3,500,000 to $10,000,000 for a residence between 5,000-12,000 square feet (approx. 465-1,115 square meters)
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FIXd is estimating construction costs could range from US$3,500,000 to $10,000,000 for a residence between 5,000-12,000 square feet (approx. 465-1,115 square meters)
FIXd is estimating construction costs could range from US$3,500,000 to $10,000,000 for a residence between 5,000-12,000 square feet (approx. 465-1,115 square meters)
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FIXd is estimating construction costs could range from US$3,500,000 to $10,000,000 for a residence between 5,000-12,000 square feet (approx. 465-1,115 square meters)
The screen layers in action
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The screen layers in action
The screen layers in action
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The screen layers in action
View gallery - 36 images

Architects are increasingly designing houses which produce as much energy as they consume, which has led to a plethora of innovative sustainable homes, some conventional in design and some decidedly not. The Mo Ventus luxury house concept from Todd Theodore Fix of FIXd Architecture/Design falls squarely in the latter category, with plans that call for retractable screens that regulate heat and light, along with a curved design to harness wind power more efficiently.

The name is derived from the Latin words "mōtus," meaning motion, and "ventus," meaning wind – which also describe the two most prominent characteristics of the house.

One of the main ways the Mo Ventus home intends to conserve energy is with several layers of screens and insulated foam core shells surrounding the main living/dining area and office space. Each covering would be seated on a moving track, allowing them to be retracted one by one, transforming the walls from opaque to filtered light to completely transparent.

The screen layers in action
The screen layers in action

Having real-time control over the amount of natural heat and light entering each space throughout the day could let residents save energy in most climates and even during changing seasons.

The most eye-catching aspect of the Mo Ventus house, however, is the large curve rising up the full height of the structure. It's designed to face prevailing winds and channel them towards four bi-directional wind turbines, which FIXd claims will increase the wind speed to produce five times as much energy.

The most eye-catching aspect of the Mo Ventus house however is the large curve rising up the full height of the structure
The most eye-catching aspect of the Mo Ventus house however is the large curve rising up the full height of the structure

A series of photovoltaic arrays running along the length of the house would gather additional energy as well, with several hydrogen fuel cells storing any excess power for later use. According to the designers, all these sustainable sources of energy would actually produce enough electricity for the house's day-to-day functions, even when completely disconnected from the grid.

The plans also call for three pools on top for heat absorption and recreation, along with space for a rooftop garden.

Of course, the only way to find out definitively just how well these energy-cutting measures work is to actually build a Mo Ventus house. FIXd is estimating construction costs could range from US$3,500,000 to $10,000,000 for a residence between 5,000 –12,000 square feet (approx. 465 – 1,115 square meters).

Ideally the house would be built on a sloping beachfront with moderate climates, where its sustainable features would best be put to use
Ideally the house would be built on a sloping beachfront with moderate climates, where its sustainable features would best be put to use

Since the Mo Ventus house was not designed for a specific client, most of the interior can be customized to the owner's liking. The main building is fairly open to be divided up into bedrooms, bathrooms, a garage, and more. The developers do recommend a few eclectic features too, like a tube slide leading outside or an outdoor amphitheater with a retracting movie screen.

Ideally the house would be built on a sloping beachfront with moderate climates, where it's sustainable features would best be put to use, but FIXd says the design could be applied almost anywhere in the world. The designers are currently looking for funding and collaborators to turn the Mo Ventus concept into a reality.

Be sure to check out the video below to see the retractable screens in motion and get some more info on the uniquely-designed Mo Ventus house.

Source: Mo Ventus, FIXd Architecture/Design

Mo Ventus - Transformative/Zero Energy Wind House

View gallery - 36 images
7 comments
7 comments
Mateusz Kierepka
You should also check EarthShip http://earthship.com/
The Skud
Three and a half to ten million? Don't you love the way these designers never spend their own money - or even, say, grant money - to prove a concept? If the idea is a bust, only the client investor loses, a win/win situation for the architect or designer. He/she gets the publicity, the client gets the failure (rarely an outstanding success) "Built in the wrong place" or "plan amended too greatly by local bylaws to get planning permission" there is always an excuse.
Ross Mcewen-Page
....Thunderbirds?
Womp
@Ross I thought exactly the same thing. F.A.B.
David Leithauser
$3,500,000 to $10,000,000? I do not see this making a very big dent in our national (or worldwide) carbon footprint. I cannot even see the very rich paying that much for a house just to be ecofriendly, especially since for about $50,000 you could add enough solar panels, small windmills, battery storage, insulation, high efficiency heat pumps heater/AC, solar water heater, and so on to a conventional design to make it energy neutral. What is the reason for this exorbitant cost? Of course, we are talking about 5,000 to 12,000 sq ft., which is about 3 to 7.5 times the size of my house.
svengali49
perfect for the next James Bond film.... Blofeld would love this shack!!!!
Greenforall
What a great combination of art and technology and for a demographic that rarely sees any mention of green technology use in their homes. It seems like it's not trying to be a model green home but rather simply a zero net site energy design which is commendable in and of itself for the effort...again given the demographic target. Excellent result, why hasn't someone done this before? It's beautiful too!