A House with Nature – Eser Family Home

General

Short Description

During two years the family Eser built a C2C inspired home in Buch am Erlbach, Germany. It is one of the first family houses according to this design concept. Though little information for materials is available on the market, it was possible to build a house respecting the three principles of Cradle to Cradle^®. The result is now a beautiful, healthy house with the opportunity for a long-term maintenance of value.

Intentions

We are both biologists – real tree huggers. What could be more reasonable than to express our built passion to be as much connected to nature as possible.

Intention: We wanted to live in a healthy and joyful environment, sheltered and in nature, outdoor as much as possible, in order to recreate our connection to nature.

We did not only focus on the building but the whole site, to capture the beauty around us in the garden and the reflection of the building. And we indeed feel the nourishment of nature around us every day.

As metaphor for our intention, we chose to build a house like a tree. For us, this metaphor means:

as beautiful as trees
living space for us as family
use energy from the sun (100%)
use only materials which are healthy – no toxic or (potential) harmful substances
use materials that can go into cycles
make a positive footprint: be beneficial and celebrate diversity

Following the intention, our goals were:

As beautiful as trees:

We wanted to build an aesthetic, joyful and sensuous living space. The rooms and building should be inviting and welcoming, with a friendly atmosphere. The house should integrate harmoniously into the surrounding nature and the existing built environments.

Use 100% energy from the sun:

Utilize direct and indirect use of sunlight
Energy positive for electricity

Use only materials which are healthy:

Use life friendly chemistry and no material which is toxic during or after use or in production
Prefer producers with sustainable methods of operating
Use material which is a nutrient and goes back to a cycle
Take care that material can be disassembled
Prefer local production

Economic goals:

Long-lasting material, low maintenance costs
Affordable with normal family budget
Maintain value
Material pass for all used materials

Positive footprint:

Enhance Biodiveristy in the surrounding

Save the existing habitats (old trees, small biotopes from the digger)
Develop the garden to invite animals and plants: build new habitats, increase potential of existing habitats
Take care of the soil (no organic material leaves the area)

Protect Biodiversity with Materials used

use certified organic material (FSC/PEFC certified wood)
non-toxic materials and processes
materials for cycles

Optimize the potential of the site (permaculture principle)

In our case we used the omnipresent water on the site to make a pond with little brook. We built the house in the slope to reach both levels even with the ground.

Consider climate change:

use natural shade from trees
install a good rainwater management
two windows in a room for cross ventilation
good – and healthy – isolation of the house

Intended Use

family home

Team

Project Architects: Design draughtsman: Wolfgang Leitsch, Holzbau Franz Leitsch GmbH, 85465 Langenpreising

Accompanying architect: Helgo von Meier, VONMEIERMOHR Architekten GbR, 86938 Schondorf

Project Developer: Dr. Sonja Eser

Project Engineer & Contractor: Wolfgang Leitsch, Holzbau Franz Leitsch GmbH, 85465 Langenpreising

Project Showcase

Elements

Façade

Structure

Energy (electric)

Connections

Foundation

Insulation

Energy (heat)