ᐅ Modernist Concrete Villa with Cavity Wall Insulation – Experiences

Created on: 11 Sep 2018 07:32
R
rick2018
Hello everyone,

I just wanted to briefly introduce myself and say thank you.

For about a year and a half, I have been a silent reader here to gather inspiration and especially to gain more knowledge about construction technology.

Now a bit about me:
After more than a year of searching for a plot of land, I was able to purchase one from a developer who couldn’t move forward quickly with his plans.
So we found our dream plot (good location, 2500 m² (0.62 acres), slight slope, underground private spring that we have to preserve and are allowed to use).
There was an old house on the property, which we have since demolished.
There is no zoning plan, so §34 applies. During an initial informal inquiry at the building authority, almost everything we planned was rejected.
So we submitted an official preliminary building inquiry, involved the right people, and had lengthy discussions. In the end, we received a positive decision.
Therefore, there is nothing standing in the way of the building permit. The building permit should be granted within the next few weeks as there are no changes from the preliminary inquiry.

My wife (37) and I (36) want to build a Bauhaus-style villa in southern Baden-Württemberg.
It will be constructed from concrete (with core insulation) or in combination with insulated precast elements.
A lot of glass (full-glass system), textile shading, KNX, fast network both wired and wireless, strong mechanical ventilation with additional cooling coils, stainless steel pool, large cistern, and more.
The electrical planning must be 100% spot on since it’s almost impossible to make changes afterward.
Since I am friends with an architect from a larger firm, it was clear which route we would take. Such a house can basically only be realized with an architect.
I also personally know the electrician and KNX system integrator, as well as the owners and work approach of the heating, plumbing, and ventilation companies involved.
Some trades have already been contracted, and part of the equipment has already been ordered.

I’m really looking forward to getting started and to the final result. The goal is to move in by the end of 2019.

Once again, many thanks for the information I have received from you so far.
If you have any questions, just let me know.

Attached is the design, though not the final version. There have been a few minor changes.

Greetings from Swabia

Modern villa with flat roofs, terraces, glass surfaces, green surroundings – several views.
rick201811 May 2020 15:55
So it is a 0.3 meter (1 foot) cable and was included with the USG-XG. I haven't been able to find it for purchase anywhere. Only lengths starting from 0.5 meter (1.6 feet).
untergasse4311 May 2020 17:43
Since I am currently working with SMI again on another project and in our planning... how do you handle shading for the building? Standard KNX blind actuators, KNX drives, or also SMI?
rick201811 May 2020 18:21
KNX blind actuators. However, the motors have position monitoring and in some areas also sensors in the tracks. Part of the shading is cable-guided.
We have screens as shading.
For louver blinds, I might have considered SMI actuators.
M
Muc1985
12 May 2020 22:48
@rick2018 It’s amazing what has happened here over the past few months. All your posts make me want to see more!

Best regards
H
Harakiri
13 May 2020 10:29
I have been following the thread with curiosity and interest* – thank you for the great project presentation.

However, I have a question: I probably missed or overlooked it somewhere, but what wall structure did you ultimately choose, and how did you solve the insulation? At some point, if I remember correctly, you mentioned wavering between prefabricated walls and cast-in-place concrete, and that the walls would no longer be insulated in the core because of problems with installing the window units.

I am also debating for my (much smaller) basement build whether we should go with prefabricated walls with core insulation, or what exactly to use for the perimeter insulation.

*And yes, a little bit of envy as well…
rick201813 May 2020 12:41
@Harakiri We mainly use precast concrete hollow core walls. The middle section is then filled with cast-in-place concrete. Additional insulation is applied on the outside. In the areas not located underground, a ventilated facade made of aluminum composite panels is installed in front of the insulation.