Onat Öktem, Ziya Imren and Zeynep Öktem are among the most exciting eco-minded architects working in Turkey, and Bird’s Nest is also among their most unique projects. Eschewing the bigger is better thought pattern, this solar-powered accessory dwelling “perches” on existing buildings to create extra space.
Albeit designed as a music room for schools that lack the space and appropriate insulation to provide budding musicians with an inspiring place to cultivate their musical genius, Bird’s Nest attaches to the roof of just about any existing building.
A small structure with a sloped roof designed to harvest rainwater and prevent harmful runoff in urban environments, the nest could also be used to provide housing for homeless citizens, studio space for other artists, or a little accessory dwelling for guests.
A modular structure that ensures flexibility, the Bird’s Nest boasts numerous sustainability features to mitigate its environmental footprint.
Rooftop solar panels are optimized for maximum solar energy absorption, but occupants won’t require a great deal of energy in the first place thanks to passive design interventions that makes use of natural daylight to illuminate the interior throughout the day, and solar gain to limit the need for mechanical heating and cooling.
A mechanical skylight, for example, permits diffused light to permeate the interior, and interacts with cutouts on either end of the small “parasitic” pod to flush air throughout.
These photovoltaic panels are also used to heat the interior and purify collected rainwater. This in turn is used to irrigate a small rooftop garden that improves air quality and creates a healthy green aesthetic – particularly for urbanites.
If you haven’t been following ONZ Architects’s work, take a look at their striking eco-mosque, which one the Best Freestanding Religious Structure in the Faith in Place competition.
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
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