Advice From an Energy-Efficient Architect

The most energy-efficient houses function like living things. They are designed to capitalize on the local environment and to respond to the climate. Australian architect and Pritzker Prize-Winner Glenn Murcutt is known for designing earth-friendly homes that imitate nature. Even if you live far from Australia, you can apply Glenn Murcutts ideas to your own home-building project. 1. Use Simple Materials Forget the polished marble, imported tropical wood, and costly brass and pewter. A Glenn Murcutt home is unpretentious, comfortable, and economical. He uses inexpensive materials that are readily available in his native Australian landscape. Notice, for example, Murcutts Marie Short House. The roof is corrugated metal, the window louvers are enameled steel, and the walls are timber from a nearby sawmill.   How does using local materials save energy? Think of the energy used beyond your own home—what fossil fuels were burned to get supplies to your work site? how much air was polluted to create cement or vinyl? 2. Touch the Earth Lightly Glenn Murcutt is fond of quoting the Aboriginal proverb touch the earth lightly because it expresses his concern for nature. Building in the Murcutt way means taking special measures to safeguard the surrounding landscape.   Nestled in an arid Australian forest, the Ball-Eastaway House in Glenorie, Sydney NSW, Australia hovers above the earth on steel stilts. The main structure of the building is supported by steel columns and steel I-beams. By raising the house above the earth, with no need for deep excavation, Murcutt protected the dry soil and surrounding trees.   The curved roof prevents dry leaves from settling on top. An exterior fire extinguishing system provides emergency protection from forest blazes that are so prevalent in Australia. Constructed between 1980 and 1983, the Ball-Eastaway house was built as an artists retreat. The architect thoughtfully placed the windows and meditation decks to create a sense of seclusion while still providing scenic views of the Australian landscape. The occupants become part of the landscape. 3. Follow the Sun Prized for their energy efficiency, Glenn Murcutts houses capitalize on natural light. Their shapes are unusually long and low, and they often feature verandas, skylights, adjustable louvers, and movable screens. Horizontal linearity is an enormous dimension of this country, and I want my buildings to feel part of that, Murcutt has said. Notice the linear form and expansive windows of Murcutts Magney House. Stretching across a barren, wind-swept site overlooking the ocean, the home is designed to capture the sun. 4. Listen to the Wind Even in the hot, tropical climate of Australias Northern Territory, houses by Glenn Murcutt do not need air conditioning. Ingenious systems for ventilation assure that cooling breezes circulate through open rooms. At the same time, these houses are insulated from the heat and protected from strong cyclone winds. Murcutts Marika-Alderton House is often compared to a plant because the slatted walls open and close like petals and leaves. When we get hot, we perspire, says Murcutt. Buildings should do similar things. 5. Build to the Environment Every landscape creates different needs. Unless you live in Australia, you are not likely to build a house that duplicates a Glenn Murcutt design. You can, however, adapt his concepts to any climate or topography. The best way to learn about Glenn Murcutt is to read his own words. In the slim paperback Touch This Earth Lightly Murcutt discusses his life and describes how he developed his philosophies. In the words of Murcutt: Our building regulations are supposed to prevent the worst; they in fact fail to stop the worst, and at best frustrate the best—they certainly sponsor mediocrity. I’m trying to produce what I call minimal buildings, but buildings that respond to their environment.† In 2012 Great Britains Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) rigorously used sustainability principles similar to Murcutts to develop Olympic Park, now called Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. See how this urban revitalization happened in How to Reclaim the Land - 12 Green Ideas. In light of climate change, why cant our institutions mandate energy efficiency in our buildings? In Glenn Murcutts Own Words: Life is not about maximizing everything, its about giving something back - like light, space, form, serenity, joy.—Glenn Murcutt Touch This Earth Lightly: Glenn Murcutt in His Own Words ​​Source: Biography by Edward Lifson, Director of Communications, The Pritzker Architecture Prize (PDF) [accessed August 27, 2016]