No Footprint House
Residential Prototype for A-01 (A Company / A Foundation)
The NFH is developed for serial production, based on a larger toolbox of prefabricated residential typologies. A first prototype was built for a European family in the southwest of Costa Rica. They chose a two-bedroom configuration with steel structure and pine wood finishes, which was shipped to its target location on one single truck. The building is designed around a central service core in order to optimize logistical efficiency regarding assembly, maintenance and usage. The project seeks for integral sustainability in terms of its economic, environmental, social and spatial performance.
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No Footprint House by Oliver Schütte
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Residential Prototype by Oliver Schütte
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Oliver Schütte No Footprint House
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Oliver Schütte Residential Prototype
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A 01 A Company A Foundation Brand Logo
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No Footprint House Residential Prototype Translations
Excited to make No Footprint House accessible in many languages through our translations: Residential Prototype IG, Umatshini Zokuhlala XH, רעזידענטשאַל פּראָוטאַטייפּ YI, Frumgerð Íbúðar IS, Il Prototipo Residenziale IT, Afọwọkọ Ibugbe YO, Lokuhlala ZU, 住宅用プロトタイプ JA, Prototipe Omah JV, 住宅原型 ZY, ವಸತಿ ಮೂಲಮಾದರಿಯು KN, Ang Prototype Sa Residensya CEB, Тұрғын Прототипі KK, ʻo Ka Prototype Noho HAW, គំរូលំនៅដ្ឋាន KM, Vaj Tsev Nyob Daim Qauv HMN, Gutura RW, Турак-Жай Прототиби KY, 주거용 프로토 타입 KO, Prototîpa Niştecîhî KU, Residentialibus Quolibet Genere LA, Wunnprototyp LB, Residential Prototype EN, ຕົ້ນແບບທີ່ຢູ່ອາໄສ LO, Gyvenamojo Namo Prototipas LT, Dzīvojamo Ēku Prototips LV, Станбен Прототип MK, Ny Prototype Trano Fonenana MG, Prototaip Kediaman MS, റെസിഡൻഷ്യൽ പ്രോട്ടോടൈപ്പ് ML, Prototip Residenzjali MT, Ko Te Tohu Taupori Noho MI, निवासी नमुना MR, Орон Сууцны Прототип MN, आवासीय प्रोटोटाइप NE, Prototype For Bolig NO, ଆବାସିକ ପ୍ରୋଟୋଟାଇପ୍ OR, Residensiële Prototipe AF, ਰਿਹਾਇਸ਼ੀ ਪ੍ਰੋਟੋਟਾਈਪ PA, Prototipi I Banimit SQ, نمونه اولیه مسکونی FA, የመኖሪያ ቤት ምሳሌ AM, Prototyp Mieszkalny PL, النموذج الأولي السكني AR, د استوګنې پروټوټایپ PS, Բնակելի Նախատիպը HY, Protótipo Residencial PT, Yaşayış Prototipi AZ, Prototipul Rezidențial RO, Жилой Прототип RU, Egoitza Prototipoa EU, Жылы Прататып BE, رهائشي پروٽوڪول SD, আবাসিক প্রোটোটাইপ BN, Prototype Nofoia SM, Stambeni Prototip BS, Стамбени Прототип SR, Tha Prototype Còmhnaidh GD, Жилищният Прототип BG, လူနေအိမ်ရှေ့ပြေးပုံစံ MY, Yekugara Prototype SN, El Prototip Residencial CA, නේවාසික මූලාකෘතිය SI, Rezidenčný Prototyp SK, Mtundu Wazopangidwira NY, 住宅原型 ZH, Stanovanjski Prototip SL, Tusaalaha Deegaanka SO, Un Prototipu Residenziale CO, Stambeni Prototip HR, Bolulo ST, El Prototipo Residencial ES, Rezidenční Prototyp CS, Prototype Til Bolig DA, Prototipe Padumukan SU, Residentieel Prototype NL, Mfano Wa Makazi SW, Loĝdoma Prototipo EO, Prototyp För Bostäder SV, Elamu Prototüüp ET, குடியிருப்பு முன்மாதிரி TA, Asuin Prototyyppi FI, రెసిడెన్షియల్ ప్రోటోటైప్ TE, Le Prototype Résidentiel FR, Прототипи Манзилӣ TG, ต้นแบบที่อยู่อาศัย TH, O Prototipo Residencial GL, საცხოვრებელი პროტოტიპი KA, Ýaşaýyş Prototipi TK, Wohnprototyp DE, Ang Prototype Ng Tirahan TL, Konut Prototipi TR, Το Οικιακό Πρωτότυπο EL, રહેણાંક પ્રોટોટાઇપ GU, Торак Прототибы TT, Pwototip Rezidansyèl HT, تۇرالغۇ UG, Samfurin HA, Житловий Прототип UK, אב-טיפוס למגורים HE, رہائشی پروٹوٹائپ UR, आवासीय प्रोटोटाइप HI, Turar Joy Prototipi UZ, A Lakossági Prototípus HU, Nguyên Mẫu Khu Dân Cư VI, Prototipe Perumahan ID, Mae Prototeip Preswyl CY, Fréamhshamhla Cónaithe GA, Wenprototyp FY.
No Footprint House Residential Prototype Media Articles
Access our collection of No Footprint House articles, ready for use and offered in languages: Korean, Japanese, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, German, French, Turkish, Arabic (Standard), Indonesian, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Dutch and Italian.
Unique Properties
The prototype of the No Footprint House is located along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Placed in a humid tropical climate, the building design responds to its surrounding habitat by passive climate control through natural ventilation and solar shading. The inclined facade panels can be opened or closed individually in order to regulate views and exposure, augment or reduce air flows, create privacy and security. They convert interior to exterior spaces and play with the dynamic among nature and the built environment, one of the key features of tropical architecture.
Tags
Climate Action, Climate Change, Net Zero, New Urban Agenda, New Rural Agenda, Sustainable Construction, Tropical Modernism, Well Being
Production Technology
The project is based on a prefabricated component design system. A first prototype was built with a structural steel frame and pine wood finishes. It was prefabricated in the Central Valley of Costa Rica and delivered to its target-site on one single truck. We are currently developing additional structural systems in order to amplify the configuration options for our clients and to continue improving the project performance. One of these alternative systems is based on laminated and solid teak wood components, which will be produced and processed in Costa Rica. The different product lines will become available as of 2021.
Design Challenge
The main challenge is to systematize the existing building components that are available on the local construction market. These components are then augmented with imported and self-made solutions to resolve crucial design issues. In the case of the prototype, this was specifically relevant with regards to the inclined bi-fold doors in order to achieve the characteristic and interactive "wrap" or "skin" of the building. Further challenges were related to the water and energy management system of the project, as well as the prefabrication logistics and on-site delivery.
Project Duration
The NFH is an ongoing project. The prototype in Costa Rica was designed and developed in 2017. It was brought to and tested on site in 2018, documented and communicated in 2019. Since then, we have been working on additional component designs and material solutions to enrich the NFH toolbox and to create solutions for a broad customer segment. With further improvements to the building and operational logistics, we expect to become carbon-neutral by 2021. As of 2022, we intend to extend the production in order to export to other countries while continuing to deliver for the home market in Costa Rica.
Operation Flow
In its initial phase, the NFH comes in three different sizes that can be auto-configured with regards to the internal distribution and connections, material finishes and desired level of services: from tiny to mid-size and family home. Tailor-made typologies can be offered, including self-sufficient solutions for off-grid locations. The selection of all elements and materials from our catalog of prefabricated components is based on a thorough investigation regarding their origin, processing, cost and environmental footprint. They can be chosen according to the site-specific requirements and client needs.
Research
The NFH has a dual agenda: on the one hand, we investigate how to lower the environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions of construction for new and existing buildings. On the other hand, we develop and offer a commercial product in different configurations. The correlation of these parallel dynamics is key for the success of the overall project. Our research was presented on international platforms such as the 2019 UN climate conferences in Spain and Costa Rica. At the same time, we launched the documentation of the first built prototype, which we are continuously improving for serial production.
Inspiration
The No Footprint House, or simply NFH, has numerous inspirations. It is largely rooted in the work of professionals who were looking for combined solutions in architecture and engineering, further paired with a broader world view towards sustainable development. For example, the Dymaxion House by Buckminster Fuller was a crucial influence for us, as well as the groundbreaking work of Jean Prouve in terms of his prefabricated systemic designs for different climates, such as the Maison Tropicale. Further inspiration was found in the contemporary automotive industry.
Image Credits
Photography: Fernando Alda Video: Manduca Audiovisual
Project Overview
No Footprint House Residential Prototype has been a Silver winner in the Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design award category in the year 2019 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.
Silver Recognition
Oliver Schütte was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2020, a testament to excellence of their work No Footprint House Residential Prototype.
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