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The HólosHouse

Let’s think about the daunting task of addressing the implications of climate change. Peter Jon Pearce [www.PJPearceDesign.com] working for the last 60 years as a rational product designer, did just that. Long ago Pearce realized that the built environment is a major consumer of non-renewable energy. It is widely held that the construction and maintenance of buildings consumes approximately 40 to 50 percent of the energy used in the world. The primary source of energy consumed by the built environment is through the direct and indirect use of fossil fuels, which is the fundamental cause of global warming.

Is it possible to mitigate this excess use of energy through a different approach to building design and construction? Absolutely, but it requires setting aside the variables that tend to drive housing design including style, sentimentality, social status, profit, and traditional construction methods.

The HólosHouse is the result of Pearce’s inquiry. This is a building solution that promises net zero energy through innovative climate management; efficient use of materials including steel, glass, and aluminum; factory made kit-of-parts from which the building is assembled on site; built from virtually100% recycled materials with high recycled content; noncombustible materials minimizing risk of fire; high strength structural configuration to resist seismic and high wind events; flood resiliency because of its innovative foundation; minimum site intervention; open plan for flexible use; natural ventilation for supporting a healthy envinroment; long life building components and low maintenance; and reconfigurable building kit-of-parts.

Furthermore the HólosHouse is an embodiment of the Circular Economy within the built environment. “The circular economy refers to an industrial economy that is restorative by intention; aims to rely on renewable energy; minimises, tracks, and eliminates the use of toxic chemicals; and eradicates waste through careful design.” (Ellen MacArthur Foundation).

The HólosHouse, like the Circular Economy, represents a radical departure from conventional sensibilities within the building arts. Its concept is inherently circular as it is designed from the perspective of a nature based design strategy. As such it is a paradigm shift reflecting Pearce’s lifetime pursuit of a rational alternative for building implementation.

Learn more about the HólosHouse in this website’s Overview, Slide Show, and beyond.