When we think about maximising efficiency in interior design plans, perhaps the last element that comes to mind is increasing floor space. As rule, smaller is more energy efficient, and generally cheaper, with a smaller carbon footprint.
However, there is one extra room that could be added to a design layout that could in fact make a space more efficient while increasing its size: a vestibule.
Vestibules are not a modern design element, in fact they harken back to classical Rome, and have traditionally been used as an aesthetic element in housing noted for grandeur and opulence. This feature does, however, also have an incredibly energy-efficient, utilitarian function.
Vestibules can be used in modern buildings to act as an ‘air lock’ entry. What this actually does is reduce the air infiltration both into, and out of, a building.
When adding such a space to a building’s entryway, two airtight doors open and close into the small vestibule. Because of this, there is never any direct access outside so long as at least one of the sets of doors remains closed.
This helps reduce heating and cooling costs as the rest of the interior space is protected from the loss or gain of controlled temperature due to direct exposure to the outdoor elements.
This design element became a major part of the highly acclaimed Little Big House located in the slopes of Mount Wellington in Fern Tree, Tasmania. Created by Thomas Bailey and Megan Baynes, one major goal of the residential development has been to keep the overall carbon footprint small.
This has been achieved in part through the implementation of the aforementioned air lock entry, a service core and purposely positioned windows, which block solar gain and encourage natural light intake. Through these means, the house is able to maintain a higher level of natural climate control
Its design has brought it acclaim in the form of a commendation for the national Small Project Architecture Award, the New Houses Award at the Tasmanian Small Project Architecture Awards for Residential Architecture and the Australian Institute of Architecture’s (AIA) 2011 People’s Choice Award.
When it comes to energy efficiency, small is necessarily always the best choice. Designing cleverly means larger spaces can be created in an energy-efficient manner.
