Portuguese House wants to "revolutionise the housing paradigm"

UP team led by Manuel Vieira Lopes is in the final the «Solar Decathlon Europe 2012» competition

In an interview with Ciência Hoje, the author explained that a full-size prototype is already being assembled in Madrid and should be ready the 12th. The exhibition opens on 14th September and runs until the 30th.

The project took its first steps in 2008, while Manuel Vieira Lopes was an MSc student at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto. The house was designed to be autonomous and sustainable. This complex project began with the work of one person, and is now joined by a multidisciplinary team which includes researchers from various institutes: "the INEGI is developing the mechanical component and INESC TEC is working on the energy efficiency component."

The house works similarly to a sunflower, spinning on itself in order to follow the trajectory sun throughout the day and using solar panels to collect energy. "However, as the 'Solar Decathlon' would not allow us to have a moving house at the exhibition," he explains, "we decided to do a proof of concept where the house can be acquired as being fixed, but allows upgrades over time."

"We have also created a removable visor to receive sunlight on the facade in the winter, and not during the summer. With this, it is possible to achieve a 25 percent gain in energy production" and there is no need to use energy to control the temperature in the house. Moreover, "as the house is lit all day there are also savings in terms of spending on lighting."

The inside of the house has unexpected features. "The house is modified throughout the day. In the morning, you don’t need a big room because people can have breakfast in the kitchen. At night, the living room can join the kitchen to provide the opportunity for a family meeting."

Another advantage is transportability. "If people have to move, they can take their home with them. Today there are no longer jobs for life and people are constantly moving. "

On their way to Madrid, the team will have the opportunity to visit several Portuguese and Spanish municipalities to advertise the project and to raise awareness on environmental issues.

The team’s departure is scheduled for next Saturday, 8th September, at 11 am and they will be stopping in Aveiro, Viseu, Guarda, Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca and Ávila.

Ciência Hoje, 6 September 2012