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
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
K
k-man202113 May 2021 12:57@rick2018 Rick, I would like to ask a few questions that really belong earlier in the discussion... unfortunately, I found the thread too late :-(
You wrote somewhere, "Our wall structure from inside to outside is concrete, insulation, air gap, and facade. Due to several issues, we couldn't build as originally planned with concrete walls featuring cavity insulation." When I look at your photos of the shell construction, you do have concrete walls with insulation between – isn’t that cavity insulation, or am I misunderstanding? Only the Alubond panels were added on the outside later. What was the reason that cavity insulated concrete walls were not possible?
Regarding the elevator: we are considering installing one. Friends of ours only built the shaft initially to have the option to add an elevator later. However, I imagine the effort for a retrofit is significant… and difficult once mobility becomes limited. What’s your view on this, how complex was the installation? I assume you have a hydraulic elevator?
One more question about security and the elevator: we already have a high security standard for entrance doors and windows, which we want to maintain at least at the same level in a new build. Does the elevator and its doors meet similar standards (I haven’t found anything online)? Do you have an additional door in front of it, or do you consider the garage door sufficient security?
One last question: do you happen to know the average thermal transmittance (U-value in W/m²K) for your house (excluding the swimming pool) from your heating load calculation? That could be a useful reference for us… we are also planning a lot of glazing, but unfortunately there is no gas supply, so we need to manage energy very carefully.
You wrote somewhere, "Our wall structure from inside to outside is concrete, insulation, air gap, and facade. Due to several issues, we couldn't build as originally planned with concrete walls featuring cavity insulation." When I look at your photos of the shell construction, you do have concrete walls with insulation between – isn’t that cavity insulation, or am I misunderstanding? Only the Alubond panels were added on the outside later. What was the reason that cavity insulated concrete walls were not possible?
Regarding the elevator: we are considering installing one. Friends of ours only built the shaft initially to have the option to add an elevator later. However, I imagine the effort for a retrofit is significant… and difficult once mobility becomes limited. What’s your view on this, how complex was the installation? I assume you have a hydraulic elevator?
One more question about security and the elevator: we already have a high security standard for entrance doors and windows, which we want to maintain at least at the same level in a new build. Does the elevator and its doors meet similar standards (I haven’t found anything online)? Do you have an additional door in front of it, or do you consider the garage door sufficient security?
One last question: do you happen to know the average thermal transmittance (U-value in W/m²K) for your house (excluding the swimming pool) from your heating load calculation? That could be a useful reference for us… we are also planning a lot of glazing, but unfortunately there is no gas supply, so we need to manage energy very carefully.
@k-man2021
You are mistaken about the wall construction.
The precast concrete hollow-core walls are filled with concrete on site, so there is no cavity insulation. However, there are also hollow-core walls with cavity insulation. That did not work out structurally and for other reasons. The main reason was our floor-to-ceiling, full-height windows. The weight of one pane is nearly 2 tons…
If we had used “standard” windows, we would have chosen that approach.
Now we have a ventilated, mineral-insulated cladding facade.
So, with “standard” windows, you can skip that.
Each elevator has specific shaft dimensions. Installing one later is very complicated. I don’t know anyone who has ever activated the reserved shaft. You should either install it from the start or not at all. Please keep in mind that the bureaucracy for an elevator can be a hassle. You have to meet all requirements at least to put it into operation. That means emergency call system, access, mirror, official inspections, emergency plans, elevator attendant… Maintaining all that costs quite a bit. If you don’t maintain it, you are liable if something happens involving a third party (e.g., cleaning staff). Most people I know disconnect the emergency call since no one actually enters the building. And they can’t shut down the elevator anyway because they can’t get in. So you just let it sit idle…
We don’t have an elevator from the “home” category. But in general, for low usage, hydraulic elevators are not installed. These always position themselves at the designated floor, meaning pumps run continuously and require more maintenance. Instead, elevators with electric motors and belts are used here.
Sure, there are safety doors for elevators, but I don’t quite understand the question. Our elevator is inside the building within the secure area.
From the garage to the house, there is a very secure door. The entire area is secured with motion detectors, presence sensors, and cameras. This area is the most vulnerable since a garage door provides almost no security.
I can’t give you an exact value. But it’s roughly around the KfW 55 standard. Reliable, measured values are not yet available.
What you use for heating doesn’t really matter. We could also heat our house with wood or electricity.
You are mistaken about the wall construction.
The precast concrete hollow-core walls are filled with concrete on site, so there is no cavity insulation. However, there are also hollow-core walls with cavity insulation. That did not work out structurally and for other reasons. The main reason was our floor-to-ceiling, full-height windows. The weight of one pane is nearly 2 tons…
If we had used “standard” windows, we would have chosen that approach.
Now we have a ventilated, mineral-insulated cladding facade.
So, with “standard” windows, you can skip that.
Each elevator has specific shaft dimensions. Installing one later is very complicated. I don’t know anyone who has ever activated the reserved shaft. You should either install it from the start or not at all. Please keep in mind that the bureaucracy for an elevator can be a hassle. You have to meet all requirements at least to put it into operation. That means emergency call system, access, mirror, official inspections, emergency plans, elevator attendant… Maintaining all that costs quite a bit. If you don’t maintain it, you are liable if something happens involving a third party (e.g., cleaning staff). Most people I know disconnect the emergency call since no one actually enters the building. And they can’t shut down the elevator anyway because they can’t get in. So you just let it sit idle…
We don’t have an elevator from the “home” category. But in general, for low usage, hydraulic elevators are not installed. These always position themselves at the designated floor, meaning pumps run continuously and require more maintenance. Instead, elevators with electric motors and belts are used here.
Sure, there are safety doors for elevators, but I don’t quite understand the question. Our elevator is inside the building within the secure area.
From the garage to the house, there is a very secure door. The entire area is secured with motion detectors, presence sensors, and cameras. This area is the most vulnerable since a garage door provides almost no security.
I can’t give you an exact value. But it’s roughly around the KfW 55 standard. Reliable, measured values are not yet available.
What you use for heating doesn’t really matter. We could also heat our house with wood or electricity.
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