HELP US BUILD A HOUSE
As you might know, we are the second generation of VIRTUe and we are participating in the Solar Decathlon Europe in June 2022! Our team has a strong affinity toward urban design and realistic social solutions, which makes the SDE21, set in urban Wuppertal, Germany, a perfect ground for us.
Help us win the 10 contests of the Solar Decathlon by reaching 10 k € for 10 design elements. (Curious about the 10 contest points? Visit: SDE21 | Team VIRTUe
Building an innovative house brings costs along the way. We need different components to construct a performing RDU. It is now the perfect time for you to be part of the project and contribute to making a change! Small actions can create a great impact. We believe that all your contributions, small or large, together are key for the ripple demonstration unit to be realised.
It’s time to jump in and build with us! But how to start? It’s easy! See the RDU unfolded in 10 design elements, learn the purpose of the different parts and support the one(s) you are passionate about. Click on the button ”DONATE NOW” and discover what the rewards are!
Or check out the Ripple Demonstration Unit below!
Progress towards funding
Ripple Demonstration Unit
Our Ripple Demonstration Unit (RDU) is a part of the larger design for Wuppertal and consists of two apartments with shared facilities, a roof garden and shared spaces to emulate the larger urban plan. This habitable unit represents all parts of the design. VIRTUe’s two years of work will be embodied in this RDU, which will be constructed by us.
Solar Facade
In our building, we have solar panels implemented in two different ways. We have the more traditional solar panels on the roof and we have an innovative additional solar power source in the solar belt. These are solar panels integrated into the façade surrounding the building parts. The solar panels on the façade are coloured and work with a new innovative system in which water heats up through pipes behind the subframe of the solar panels. All of the energy used in the house comes from solar panels.
Green Roof
Planting natives is the best way to support a habitat’s natural wildlife, because the birds and bugs are already built to eat and use them. Our strategy is to have plants of different heights, a water source, cover for some insects, mulch and no pesticides. The roof on top of our building is covered with wildflowers attracting a diversity of insects and birds and therefore sustaining the local biodiversity. Besides, it serves as a place for people to relax and take care of certain fruit plants and herbs. The roof is accessible via the stairs at the side of the building.
Active Core
The technical core is situated in the middle of the building where the ventilation unit, the heat pump, the battery and floor heating distribution unit can be found. By using a smart system, the resident can be more involved and have an active role in the working of the buildings systems. This creates more awareness among residents and improves the sustainable working of the house.
Smart Systems
Flexible Furniture
The interior of the house is decorated with flexible furniture which makes it possible to change the entire layout of the building quickly and easily. Even the bathroom is a pre-fab construction which makes it possible to be moved within the house or have it elsewhere in case it is no longer needed. The idea behind the flexibility is that the apartment can be adapted whenever needed.
Bird Hotel
In Germany the insect and bird population are decreasing dramatically. Both species are important contributors to having a nicely working biodiversity. To create a safe haven for the birds we designed bird houses for our ”bird facade”. Plants around the facade are chosen so that the specific birds can find shelter and food so that the species stay around in the city.
Communal Farming
One of the main goals team VIRTUe wants to achieve is to make people aware of the environmental impact of food production. We want to offer people the opportunity to adapt their eating habits to more sustainable ones. The communal farms, which are part of the urban concept, will provide the community with a way to grow their local food sustainably and biologically. This will activate people to go outside to produce their food, It also creates awareness of the sustainable possibilities within food production and the healthy aspects of self-produced food.
Adaptable Structure
The construction of the house is made of cross–laminated timber. This engineered wood is an innovative timber product suitable for construction. The wooden panels are made up of three or more layers of spruce slats glued crosswise which creates a strong, solid wood construction. They are used as floor, wall and roof elements and are a full replacement for masonry or concrete, greatly reducing the embodied energy of the structure.
Social Platform
The platform makes the entrance of the house independent of its location since it is easily accessible from two different sides. Surrounding the perimeter of the house, the platform highlights the facade and elevates the building from the ground. In this way, we connect the design of our conceptual building on Café Ada with what we bring to the competition. Moreover, our design includes communal gardens for both biodiversity and edible plants, as well as a socially interactive space for people to engage in social activities.
VIRTUe Idenitity
A strong and recognisable brand identity contributes to the success of a project. We believe in the power of our communication material to spread the message of ripple, acquire visibility and create an increasing impact. Our branding material helps us communicate our story to everyone, in the clearest, appealing and inspiring way possible. Our communication strives for high quality and diverse media.
HELP US BUILD A HOUSE
As you might know, we are the second generation of VIRTUe and we are participating in the Solar Decathlon Europe in June 2022! Our team has a strong affinity toward urban design and realistic social solutions, which makes the SDE21, set in urban Wuppertal, Germany, a perfect ground for us.
Help us win the 10 contests of the Solar Decathlon by reaching 10 k € for 10 design elements. (Curious about the 10 contest points? Visit: SDE21 | Team VIRTUe
Building an innovative house brings costs along the way. We need different components to construct a performing RDU. It is now the perfect time for you to be part of the project and contribute to making a change! Small actions can create a great impact. We believe that all your contributions, small or large, together are key for the ripple demonstration unit to be realised.
It’s time to jump in and build with us! But how to start? It’s easy! See the RDU unfolded in 10 design elements, learn the purpose of the different parts and support the one(s) you are passionate about. Click on the button ”DONATE NOW” and discover what the rewards are!
Ripple Demonstration Unit
Our Ripple Demonstration Unit (RDU) is a part of the larger design for Wuppertal and consists of two apartments with shared facilities, a roof garden and shared spaces to emulate the larger urban plan. This habitable unit represents all parts of the design. VIRTUe’s two years of work will be embodied in this RDU, which will be constructed by us.
Solar Facade
In our building, we have solar panels implemented in two different ways. We have the more traditional solar panels on the roof and we have an innovative additional solar power source in the solar belt. These are solar panels integrated into the façade surrounding the building parts. The solar panels on the façade are coloured and work with a new innovative system in which water heats up through pipes behind the subframe of the solar panels. All of the energy used in the house comes from solar panels.
Green Roof
Planting natives is the best way to support a habitat’s natural wildlife, because the birds and bugs are already built to eat and use them. Our strategy is to have plants of different heights, a water source, cover for some insects, mulch and no pesticides. The roof on top of our building is covered with wildflowers attracting a diversity of insects and birds and therefore sustaining the local biodiversity. Besides, it serves as a place for people to relax and take care of certain fruit plants and herbs. The roof is accessible via the stairs at the side of the building.
Active Core
The technical core is situated in the middle of the building where the ventilation unit, the heat pump, the battery and floor heating distribution unit can be found. By using a smart system, the resident can be more involved and have an active role in the working of the buildings systems. This creates more awareness among residents and improves the sustainable working of the house.
Smart Systems
Flexible Furniture
The interior of the house is decorated with flexible furniture which makes it possible to change the entire layout of the building quickly and easily. Even the bathroom is a pre-fab construction which makes it possible to be moved within the house or have it elsewhere in case it is no longer needed. The idea behind the flexibility is that the apartment can be adapted whenever needed.
Bird Hotel
In Germany the insect and bird population are decreasing dramatically. Both species are important contributors to having a nicely working biodiversity. To create a safe haven for the birds we designed bird houses for our ”bird facade”. Plants around the facade are chosen so that the specific birds can find shelter and food so that the species stay around in the city.
Communal Farming
One of the main goals team VIRTUe wants to achieve is to make people aware of the environmental impact of food production. We want to offer people the opportunity to adapt their eating habits to more sustainable ones. The communal farms, which are part of the urban concept, will provide the community with a way to grow their local food sustainably and biologically. This will activate people to go outside to produce their food, It also creates awareness of the sustainable possibilities within food production and the healthy aspects of self-produced food.
Adaptable Structure
The construction of the house is made of cross–laminated timber. This engineered wood is an innovative timber product suitable for construction. The wooden panels are made up of three or more layers of spruce slats glued crosswise which creates a strong, solid wood construction. They are used as floor, wall and roof elements and are a full replacement for masonry or concrete, greatly reducing the embodied energy of the structure.
Social Platform
The platform makes the entrance of the house independent of its location since it is easily accessible from two different sides. Surrounding the perimeter of the house, the platform highlights the facade and elevates the building from the ground. In this way, we connect the design of our conceptual building on Café Ada with what we bring to the competition. Moreover, our design includes communal gardens for both biodiversity and edible plants, as well as a socially interactive space for people to engage in social activities.
VIRTUe Identity
A strong and recognisable brand identity contributes to the success of a project. We believe in the power of our communication material to spread the message of ripple, acquire visibility and create an increasing impact. Our branding material helps us communicate our story to everyone, in the clearest, appealing and inspiring way possible. Our communication strives for high quality and diverse media.
