Profile: Suren Indhul - Green Living Space

Suren Indhul chose Simbithi, north of Durban, to put his greening principles into practice, the ethos of the estate is in line with his work.

After some convincing, Suren eventually attained what he desired - and all materials used for aesthetic purposes had a function.

Suren wanted a home that would respond to the need for a sustainable living space without the use of gizmos to save energy, whilst responding to the given environment by being in harmony with the natural landscape. Suren used the Biomimicry method - the study of the way nature uses energy and thus transferring these methods in buildings.

The chosen site falls away from the road - north to south. The floor plan was designed in harmony with the natural slope and the sun's movement keeping the environment intact, the floor plate leaves the ground gently towards the south, thus forming a void. The natural void space , with a suspended concrete plank and topping over 250mm insulation, houses the electrical, plumbing, gas
and thermal insulated geyser easily accessible for servicing purposes. A hot water heat pump is used to reduce the electricity consumption in the house.

Suren says that on average 45% to 50% of a house's electricity consumption is used by the geyser. A heat pump saves up to 70%, the use of heat pumps is now a reliable and efficient alternative to solar panels. The added benefit is that heat pumps may be used where ever roofs cannot store geyser cylinders or where solar panels are not suited to the design or location of the house.

The facade of the house is several different manual 'skins', which can be adjusted for comfort depending on the climatic condition. The first skin is an external hi-aluminium screen that cuts off the glare of the sun and allows the
north light to filter through. The second skin is a SolarVue glazing that cuts UV rays and cuts off the heat built up normally associated with ordinary glazing on glass. The third skin is a wooden adjustable shutter that allows in as much sun as one requires in summer and acts as an insulated wall in winter when closed.

The recyclable aluminium roof is sandwiched with 150mm wool insulation between the ceiling boards. The glass partition used for all the bathrooms eliminates the use of walls, plaster, tiling and lighting, while glass partitions between rooms and at higher level eliminate the use of excess lighting. Accessible gas pipes lead to the cooking areas. The use of steel allows for wide, unsupported spaces. The steel has been bolted, making it easy to dismantle for recycling as and when needed. The entire window inserts and sunscreen, likewise, may be removed. The floating wooden floor, laid on rubber-type membrane, may be reused without damage. Grappa in its natural form has been used for the deck and in time this turns ash grey, no staining or varnish is required. The interior floors are recycled birch.

There are no gutters or downpipes. The rain falls directly on a decorative agricultural drain, then disperses into the indigenous garden landcsaped by Suren, thus eliminating the need to water the garden. The exessive water is channeled under the decorative stonework to an underground tank that can be used in drier months to water the garden. The external garden lights are solar powered.

Although conventional items have been ommitted the Indhul house is aesthetically pleasing and hugely responsive to a green function.

Gallery
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