When I first discovered this model, few months ago, I instantly thought it was amazing. This house, created by a German architect, Rolph Disch, is a real concept, it has been constructed. It can produce around 5 times more electricity than it actually produces. It has a huge 54 m² solar panel -on its roof – which can produce around 6,6 kWh. But what’s amazing – beside the size of its panel – is that the house is rotating at 180°, all day long – around 15° per hour -to follow the sun. The panel itself is moving on 2 axes – horizontal and vertical – to provide an even more accurate orientation. That way, the house can produce a lot of electricity. Actually, this panel provides enough electricity for domestic use – with a consummation estimated at around 21 kWh/m2 – and for heat and ventilation systems. There is even some extra electricity left – around 4/5 of the house’s production – which is sold on the local network. Yes, this house is “positive”, which means that it produces more electricity than it actually consumes.

Heliotrope, that’s its name, is 3 floors tall, it’s gathering an apartment around 120 m² big, a roof garden 60 m² big and a 80 m² basement. It is quite a big house, for cities, but it can be divided into 2 apartments. This building is placed on a central column, made of wood and steel, it has a 120W engine which allows it to rotate. Most of this house’s parts are prefabricated, which could allow that concept to be replicated easily, quickly and cheaply.

Heliotrope is not only awesome because of its huge solar panel. It’s also featuring a waste water recuperation system, a rain water recuperation system and an organic way to deal with wastes. That way, it uses twice its water and doesn’t produce waste fluids.

Conclusion: this is my future house!

Source: www.rolfdisch.de