'The Pearl': Shell-Shaped Solar House Is A Beachside Retreat (PICTURES)

From Inhabitat:

Triangular tents, eat your heart out! This elegant dome-shaped retreat is where it's at. Dubbed 'The Pearl’ and designed by David Fanchon of Solaleya, the sustainably built home features a sophisticated shell-like design and large windows that provide a full 180 degree panoramic view of surrounding nature.

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'The Pearl' by David Fanchon of Solaleya is a perfect example of how even the most simple green designs can change the way we think about certain building types. The sustainably built home features a stunning shell-like design with huge windows that provide a full 180 degree panoramic view from the main living area. The integrated photovoltaic panels on the white steel roof collect sunlight, while passive solar design rounds out the home's energy-efficient profile.

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'The Pearl' by David Fanchon of Solaleya is a perfect example of how even the most simple green designs can change the way we think about certain building types. The sustainably built home features a stunning shell-like design with huge windows that provide a full 180 degree panoramic view from the main living area. The integrated photovoltaic panels on the white steel roof collect sunlight, while passive solar design rounds out the home's energy-efficient profile.

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Comments

[darrell sugita]

06:20 PM on 05/13/2011

Beautiful. Do you have a mini pearl?

[Laura Larson]

07:46 PM on 04/15/2011

I want this house! Right on this spot will do. Check out the interiors. How can I get one? I am going to find out!

[darkmark]

11:47 AM on 04/12/2011

put a price tag on the structure and i would be more interested. until the price is known its just another fantasy.

[ScottSutton]

07:29 PM on 04/12/2011

It can't be used in cold weather or earthquake areas. :(

[Chris Petrone]

09:41 AM on 04/12/2011

An interesting piece of biomimicry architecture. We are returning to micro-climate and site specific design. With that said, the article negates itself by stating the building could be placed anywhere. This is true in the sense that it could be built anywhere, but it would not perform to its optimal design in any other location other than climates that are close to this one.

My areas for concern with this project are the large sweeping areas of glass. The concern for this is the amount of heat transfer through the glazing. The best value that you could possibly get for windows (triple pane, low-e coating and krypton filled cavities) is about a R-7, which are mostly Europe companies with very few in the United States. If the temperatures are stable between inside and outside (neglecting humidity) then this may work beautifully. But judging by the pictures, it looks like a climate that goes through mild temperatures in the winter, warm temperatures in the spring and fall, and hot temperatures in the summer.

One other area of concern are the thermal bridges that will conduct the heat into the building. These thermal bridges are the metal glazing frame and the wood laminated structure. The wood structure will conduct less heat into the building, but it will still be significant due to size and amount of perforations in the building.

I think this is an interesting building with the ability to gain more out of it!

[liaisonsus]

04:49 AM on 04/12/2011

Wonder how much it would cost and it would be cool if it were built on a moveable round platform that could do a 360 degree turn..

[giraf]

02:33 PM on 04/11/2011

I love it and want one, the model is placed in a location that looks identical to the land we just bought in the Bahamas, so I now know where my fantasies live, getting up in the morning, collecting my beach plastic and re-purposing it....right there in that house!

http://750tees.wordpress.com/

[Richard Perkinson]

01:42 PM on 04/11/2011

looks like the curved shape could be an asset in a high wind situation.

[yukonsam]

01:15 PM on 04/11/2011

It works as a showcase piece for passive solar techniques and principles. Passive solar isn't rocket science: a lot of it is just common sense and building to the requirements of the local climate and environment rather than an arbitrary grid.

Passive solar buildings don't have to be cutting-edge architectural statements, either; many elements incoporate quite nicely into more traditional styles.

It may (or may not) cost slightly more up front, but it pays for itself in the long haul.

[nosmiley]

12:45 PM on 04/11/2011

It's a nice looking home. Those beautiful laminated arches are going to require scheduled regular maintenance to remain beautiful, and structurally sound. Buy stock in Thompson's Waterseal, or Olympic Stain.......
Looks like a great place, if you own enough land so that it's not visible from the land side. I've seen too many break-ins on vacation, or second homes. With all that glass............

[wbcoc]

12:20 PM on 04/11/2011

Nice home for the rich. Not practical by any stretch of the imagination. Conserve energy at what cost? Reminds me of the concept cars that we have never seen on the road and never will.

[steve11407]

12:51 PM on 04/11/2011

Common sense has no place here.:)

[Musthafa Ullal]

11:26 AM on 04/11/2011

nice to see the growth of solar technology now a days.. we should encourage solar technology
here is one article about the solar panel used in bags, back packs and even in laptop cases for charging laptops and mobiles. Incredible revolution!
http://t.co/IPQiiy7

[Minolta321]

02:28 AM on 04/11/2011

I'm wondering what the cost is per square foot of floor space. If it's an outrageous price how is that good for the environment? If it takes vast amounts of money to buy, then that's wasting money isn't it? I believe money has an environmental cost and to waster it is to waste the environment.

[moutonnoir]

11:05 AM on 04/11/2011

then get rid of every piece of jewelry you own.

[darkmark]

11:53 AM on 04/12/2011

no jewelry here except for my watch which is solar . now back to minolta321. his point is valid. so is his opinion. since i agree with minolta321 i think i'll fan minolta321. done

[GMarez]

06:05 PM on 04/12/2011

Can you show how cost of materials equates to environmental impact, with scientific proof?

[Minolta321]

02:21 AM on 04/11/2011

Huge Windows insulate less don't they, than walls? And require cleaning. And create privacy issues. It's a bit too much light for me. The shape is attractive but there is a reason most houses have walls instead of large windows. They like their privacy.

[Mac1000]

09:01 AM on 04/11/2011

As to privacy, I imagine it would be all about where the house sits. In the photos it is shown facing the ocean rather high on a cliff. I don't see any privacy issues there. In suburbia or the city, yes there would be issues.

[darkmark]

11:55 AM on 04/12/2011

if this is in most areas with a beach then on that beach are people, lots and lots of people.

[spkninglsh]

10:53 PM on 04/10/2011

Have they even built one? The company site says that the Pearl can be anywhere from 500-5000 sq ft. No cost is listed, but pearls ain't cheap. This may be a more practical design post-bank crisis:

http://www.archicentral.com/universal-world-house-by-wall-ag-7727/