Speehuis

SPEEHUIS is not only unique in its appearance and location, but above all for its very sustainable and healthy design. In addition to an energy-neutral construction, circular and biobased materials have also been used, which are demountable and adaptable. The facade and the sloping roof are finished with untreated ‘high density’ bamboo-composite slats that are mounted on a detachable click system leaving no visible fixings on the facade. The entire shell, including the stairs, interior doors, desks and cabinets, is made of sturdy cross-laminated timber (CLT), which lends the house a warm atmosphere. The prefabricated timber structure, containing all the voids for installations, was built in one week. No discolouration occurs, thanks to the UV-resistant coating, and the timber therefore retains its aesthetically pleasing light colour. The sturdy timber structure is fully dismantlable, adaptable, recyclable, 30% lighter than concrete and – similarly to the exterior cladding – manufactured using renewable raw materials. The decision to build using timber throughout also implies that a considerable amount of CO₂ is stored (rather than being emitted, as is the case with concrete) thus creating a healthy and more comfortable indoor climate. 150m3 of spruce wood has been used in the SPEEHUIS, which means that 93,388 kg of CO2 is stored within the building. That is the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of 103 households a year, or the emissions of 784,773 kilometers of exhaust gases from a middle-class car. In comparison, the same building built in concrete would produce 46,694 kg of CO2. The total CO2 reduction by building in cross laminated timber instead of concrete is therefore 93,388 kg + 46,694 kg = 140,082 kg CO2. By using 9m3 bamboo composite as a facade material, an additional 15,736 kg of CO2 is stored. In addition to energy-efficient construction, storing CO2 in buildings is the solution to the climate problem. All the wood used in SPEEHUIS originates from responsibly managed forests and is PEFC-certified. In addition to energy-efficient construction, using buildings as CO2 banks is the solution to the climate problem. The detailing of the building has been worked out very carefully, with gutters, roof trims and sills being concealed and all slats on the roof and facade seamlessly intertwined. The transitions from roof to facade and from facade to facade are mitered, so that the interplay of lines is never interrupted. The dimensions of the building and the openings run from the outside to the inside of the building, and are adopted from the bamboo slat width of 45 mm and 6 mm spacing, the result is a roof and facade finish that fits like a tailor-made suit, without slat deviations. The 60cm horizontal and vertical facade bands, which run all the way around the building, connects the house with the office and are clearly visible due to the minimalist detailing.