SunSail is a residential house in the mixed Jewish and Arab town of Haifa, Israel, which will employ advanced ecological and technological aspects. This unique sustainable residential building is an energy-efficient building with 12 residential units designed according to sustainable principles aiming to meet the needs of potential older persons or disabled as well. The building aims to become a flag ship to the city of Haifa and to Israel by increasing the awareness to social, energy and ecology design in residential buildings.
The green planning includes:
A Southern facade embedded with photovoltaic cells resembling a sail to maximize the solar exposure. This unique shape of the PV facade functions also as a roof, rain catchments, shading canopy, heat isolator and as an iconic figure.
The minimal footprint of the building welds the site with the near by public garden suggesting a green extension to the existing garden with bicycle and walking path through the new building as well.
Passive methods to reduce energy consumption are achieved by orienting the long sail facade to the south which makes best use of passive solar heating, daylighting optimization and natural cooling by facing the north glass facade to the valley and the view. Water reuse and recycled waste systems are another consideration of the design making the building energy, water and waste-efficient.
The potential residents can belong to any sector of the society as this building is set for older people as well as young families, people with disabilities as well as healthy bicycle riders and people of any religion of the multi-culture and multi-religion city of Haifa. The environmental interaction with the local surrounding emphasizes sportive and green values of the building that demonstrates the spirit of the entire city.
Team:
Geotectura