traverso vighy: tvzeb zero energy building, italy

‘tvzeb’ by traverso-vighy, vicenza, italyall images courtesy of tvzeb

the ‘tvzeb’ architecture studio is a building which takes on all facets of sustainability from the physical construction and assembly to the use and feelof the space. designed by a collaborative effort between italian practice traverso-vighy – for whom the structure is for – and the university of padua’s department of technical physics, the project conforms with new EU standards whereby all public buildings as of 2020 must produce zero carbon emissions.it is located in the mountains just outside of vicenza’s city center in nothern italy where hot humid summers transition into cold foggy winterswith an ever-changing natural landscape. tvzeb is designed with the principles of deconstruction in mind: only a subtle foundation of two parallel longitudinalreinforced concrete beams are fixed into the ground with 30 mm-diameter bars, while most of the remaining components are CNC-milled or locallyhandcrafted parts assembled on-site.

embedded within the forest landscape

the studio is conceived of as a ‘daylight funnel,’ creating an intrinsic relationship with natural and artificial lights to provide visual comfort, regulateinternal temperatures, and assist in the human perception of space and time throughout the changing seasons and circadian cycles. the entire northern and southern facades are completely glazed; the north allowing panoramic views – the south accepting winter rays for passive heating.the transparent thresholds are inset from the exterior corten envelope shading the interior in the summer keeping it cooler, and are meant to take on an invisible nature to blend the exterior and interior spaces. the interior lighting scheme is made possible due to LED bar lights embedded into the ground plane with adjustable color temperatures that mimic the natural light spectrum, reflecting off of the aluminum-clad interior walls to offset exterior lighting conditions year-round. 

the envelope consists of a timber frame system on the concrete foundation clad in larch boards that are known for their natural weather resistanceand longevity, and are a traditional building material in the region. a double layer of 90 mm polyester fiber  made from around 40,000 recycled plastic bottles.16 photovoltaic panels on the auxiliary structure are able to produce 5.6 kWh of energy which is enough to meet all energy needs in a year.heating is accomplished through a geothermal heat pump, powered by the solar panels, and a natural wood-burning stove fed by garden pruning on site. interior air quality is controlled through underground air exchange distribution channels that also dissipate heat.

timber cladding

southern glazed facade under overhanging eave

timber footpath leading from the parking to the studio

entrance

interior main space

reflective aluminum panel interior reflects artificial light

auxiliary structure with solar panel roof

wrap-around window blurs the distinction between interior and exterior

corten cladding assembled by hand with traditional crimping techniques

illumination at night

exterior materials allow the structure to merge into the landscape

frame assembly

timber frame

components are made to be disassembled

construction of wooden walkway

applying insulation to the larch envelope

interior volume

corten cladding

site plan

section

elevation

lighting systems study

changing color temperature to counteract exterior lighting conditions

follows circadian rhythms

sun angles at mid-day

light penetration diagrams

base and frame construction

water collection system

project info:

architects: traverso-vighy, university of padua’s department of technical physics (DFT)traverso-vighy team: arch. giovanni traverso, arch. paola vighy, arch. giulio dalla gassa, arch. elena panzaDFT team: prof. ing. alberto zecchin, prof. ing. michele de carli, dott. ing. valeria de giuli, dott. ing. giuseppe emmi, dott. ing. massimiliano scarpa,dott. ing. giacomo villi, dott. ing. angelo zarrellalighting: coemarinsulation: ORV