TINY OFF-GRID HOUSE BIOPHILIC DESIGN FOR HEALTH & SUSTAINABILITY
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In our world, homes are designed to be a product, an asset. In contrast, the nature driven design of the Tiny Off-Grid House attempts to promote the values & wellbeing of the occupants; while enhancing their connection to the natural environment; along with the sustainability of the Earth.
The Tiny Off-Grid House goes beyond simply integrating natural elements, like plants & bamboo flooring, in to the interior living space. Instead, the architectural and interior biodesign mimics several physiological attributes found in nature.
Empirical observations and scientific research have revealed the negative impacts our modern industrialized disassociation from nature has on our mental & physical health. Our evolutionary physiology cannot be divorced from our 2.5 million years relationship with nature; driven by variability selection. Therapeutic studies on repairing this fracture has shown the dominant influences of nature can be exhibited by lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, a reduction in oxidative & inflamatory catalyst in our bodies; along with an increase in neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The brain chemical DHEA declines with age impacting our cognitive performance; but research has shown significant elevations of this brain chemical in response to study subjects exposure to the natural environment.
A commitment has been made, when reasonably possible, to use sustainable building materials and practices to prevent indoor air pollution in the Tiny Off-grid House & minimize construction waste. Energy intensive materials like concrete and carbon based fossil fuels (oil, coal & natural gas) that generate CO₂ emissions are avoided.
Research has found certain indoor house plants can reduce as much as 75% of indoor ambient volatile organic chemicals from enclosed spaces. The natural efficiency of plants revealed in this research is impactful considering as much as 80% of the human population lives in an urban environments and spends up to 90% of their sun deprived time indoors—a lifestyle that contributes to lack of vitamin D. Deceased levels of vitamin D are associated with depression; especially during winter months, and have been reversed in some cases with 400 to 800 IU daily doses of vitamin D.
Natural sunlight and the changing seasons can be witnessed daily through the huge picture window of the Tiny Off-Grid House promoting spatial awareness of nature; influencing daily life not by a time clock but by the circadian sensory rhythm of nature. Anthropological studies reveal how early humans daily lives were dictated by the cycle of nature. In winter, early humans retired to sleep earlier, than in summer, after sunset then awoke in the early dawn to experience the limited sunshine and warmth. The hormone melatonin, produced in the pineal gland, regulates our 24 hours sleep / wake cycle, aka circadian rhythm, and is dependent on exposure to sunlight and darkness. Studies of hospital patients recuperating in rooms with unrestricted views of nature had shorter recovery time by 8.5% and required less pain medications by 22%; compared to patients whom window views faced a brick wall. Melatonin production increases at night to relax the body in preparation for sleep. The inverse happens during daylight hours when melatonin levels in the blood decreases; increasing alertness. In educational environments, a biophilic design that incorporated more access to daylight in classrooms increased exam scores 5 - 14% and attendance 3.5 days / year.
The primary source of renewable energy generation for the Tiny Off-Grid House are rooftop & ground deployed solar arrays. Photons —not to be confused with sun heat— from sunlight strikes the Photovoltaic (PV) cells of the solar array where they excite electrons forcing them to travel from the negative N-side towards the positive P-side monocrystalline cell. This movement of electrons between the electric fields, at the P-N junction, generate electricity.
Polar Bears have evolved to live in the harsh conditions of the Arctic where temperatures in winters can reach -46 to -40 °F (-43 to -40 °C). Polar Bears wear a 3.4” layer of insulating fat that not only keeps the Polar Bear warm but also serves as an energy reserve during lean times. Infrared thermographic images have shown the only area of heat loss on the entire body of a polar bear appears to be their nose. The white camouflage of Polar Bears are the result of “transparent” hollow hair fibers; that act like fiber optic tubes, directing sunlight to help warm the surface of a bears black skin. The waterproof fur is made of two layers consisting of a short thick undercoat and a long 5 - 15cm outer layer; the latter traps warm air between the long hollow fibers. When wet, the outer layer of guard hairs stick together creating a waterproof shield.
An air-tight insulated structure prevents the escape of warm conditioned indoor air during the cold season and maintains cooler conditioned indoor air during the hotter season. This reduces the electrical demand needed to maintain a comfortable living environment in the Tiny Off-Grid House. The structure has to be an air and vapor barrier, with adequate mechanical conditioned ventilation, that provides adequate indoor air exchanges while also filtering out dust and allergy triggers from the outside air.
The slope of the Tiny Off-Grid House shed roof —to starboard— is designed to maximize the efficiency of the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) array by positioning the solar array inclination to be positioned almost perpendicular to the sun capturing the maximum sunrays even when the sun path is at its lowest arch during the winter months. Also, the slope of the roof facilitate the use of gravity to waterfall rain water. Subsequently, rain water is collected, filtered, then stored in a food-grade container for domestic use.
The acoustics of nature can be reproduced in the Tiny Off-Grid House by audio equipment in surround sound speakers to accentuate the listening experience. While in the creative space, sound proofing prevents noise from traveling between the work & living spaces. Acoustic blocking material will help isolate noise from entering or exiting the creative space; especially, during conferences or video recordings. In contrast, “sound absorbing” material traps sound energy in the acoustic absorbing material. The material surface is marked by craters and pyramids that deflect sound waves within the crevices. This benefits optimizing the sound quality within the creative space with a lesser priority on isolation of outside noise.
Early humans lived in shelters made of natural obstacles, like caves, which allowed a focused defense by limiting the number of directions a predator or hostiles could attack from. The two elevated sleeping loft spaces of the Tiny Off-Grid House are not situated in a hostile environment; albeit early humans nested inside this cozy loft would fell secured with their backs protected on three sides by walls and one open front entrance that previews the living space below along with a loft window to safely survey outside.
Increasing nature in an urban environment (Rewilding) can help reduce air pollution. Plants and trees sequester atmospheric CO₂ (carbon in a gases state) and absorb sunlight through photosynthesis, along with water (H₂O); the latter is absorbed through the roots, to create the glucose fuel plants and trees needs to grow biomass in its leaves, flowers, stems and roots. The beneficial byproduct of the carbon absorption in the formula CO₂ is oxygen (O₂). Planting more trees provides shade reducing the urban heat island effect. Cooler cities consume less electricity that would’ve been used for air conditioning. Urban food forest & gardens sequester carbon and can also absorb rainwater runoff preventing flooding. The urban rewilding facilitates biodiversity in nature of plants, animals and insects. Encouraging the growth of mangrove forest along the coastline can mitigate coastal communities from the impacts of hurricanes & typhoons. All the previously mentioned are well documented practical examples of the positive impact of urban rewilding. Studies have also revealed the emotional and social impacts the sensory influence of nature can have on us. Access to green & blue spaces encourage outdoor physical activity & social interaction with others.
Humans evolutionary connections to the natural environment shaped us and we are still being influenced by it. However, Human caused climate change, if left unchecked, will lead to extended periods of environmental instability that will test how flexible and adaptive Human evolution can be; meanwhile, the Earth will survive and heal, once given a chance.
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