Rolf Disch's Heliotrop House
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 04.13.07
Our head is spinning from all the rotating buildings. Architect Rolf Disch built his own home as a test bed for solar systems. The house tracks the sun, so that its triple-glazed front can face the warming sun in winter and show its well insulated back in summer. The balcony rail is a solar vacuum tube to heat water. Photovoltaics on the roof rotate independently to track the sun, generating four to six times the energy needed for the house, making it beyond zero energy and into "das Plusenergiehaus" or a "Plus-energy House." If that is not enough, there is on-site composting, chemical free sewage treatment and rainwater catchment.
The house has been the personal residence of the Architect since 1994. ::Azure Magazine Green Revolution Issue
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thats pretty stunning. if only this kind of technology could compete with the price of "conventional" buildings
only took them about 50 years to recreate the jetsons house.
I agree, a stunning house. But you don't need a rotating house to achieve virtually the same benefits as this house. A properly designed 'fixed' passive solar house gives practically the same benefits without the increased complexity inherent in a home that requires special systems and components to rotate - without mentioning the substantially increased costs that they entail. K.I.S.S, baby, K.I.S.S. It should be a fundamental priority in all design. Keep it simple.
How much energy is used when turning the whole house? Would a sphere-shaped (stationery) solar panel not have been easier en more energy-efficient?
Hi, I real want this house ! I'm crazy! It's possible?
Thanks you very much!
considering that the house only needs to be rotated 180 degrees two times a year, and that a small electric motor can easily do that without using much energy, the net savings in solar collecting and insulating value are stunning. as an added benefit, you gain a change of view and scenery twice a year.
I wonder how much Architect Rolf Dischspent spent on making this masterpiece?
Mr. Disch generously offers a lot of information about this house on his own website, including the energy consumption of the rotation mechanism.
In English. Check it out!
http://www.rolfdisch.de/project.asp?id=45&sid=1008141887