
SALT HOUSE: Towards a New Vernacular

An Integrated regional and community model enabling sustainable energy food and water production and waste upcycling.
Mobilising circularity and sustainability through macro scale desalination. The project considers a number of connected issues that will be critical to sustainable development and future climate change impacts in the region, namely:
- Water scarcity
- Food security
- Sewage waste
- Regional building material availability
- Sustainable urban planning
Using these principles and mobilising MMC’s in particular rapid prototyping the proposal is to develop a variable porosity construction block attuned to enhance both mechanical and thermal properties over its cross-section. In addition, we are also proposing developing pre-fabricated screens or Mashrabiya to protect openings from direct sun penetration attuned to different solar orientations. This simple construction approach using an ‘enhanced construction block’ potentially provides a simple, cost effective and robust system of house building with significant environmental and ecological benefits across different territorial dimensions.
The proposal hybridises both traditional vernacular passive design techniques (thermal mass, solar shading, solar orientation, deep shaded wells and courtyards, form factor, buoyancy driven solar and anabatic ventilation) with contemporary environmental technologies integrated in innovative ways to achieve a free-running carbon negative comfortable environment. The latter will generate electricity using rooftop solar PV panels running a neighbourhood borehole heat pump feeding chilled floor plates within each dwelling and using the electrical grid as a zero-loss battery for night-time running.
The houses will also employ water harvesting and storage for irrigation of courtyards and for use in toilets. The concept adopts strategies for extracting grey water from sewage (currently developed for golf course irrigation in the region. Grey water and composted solid wastes (night soil) will be used for the irrigation and fertilising of micro-agricultural plots integrated within the masterplan for small-scale food production. House / plot relationships and massing will be optimised for various urban strategies hybridising courtyard typologies with terraces, perimeter blocks and organic urban morphologies.
Some very preliminary sketches and massing arrangements
(these require considerably more work and refinement)




Board 1: Architectural Approach & Innovation
Title: “Reimagining Vernacular: The Salt House Genesis”
Narrative:
Drawing inspiration from the deep-rooted architectural heritage of arid regions, the Salt House merges tradition with ground-breaking innovation. In countries like Yemen and Mali, age-old mud-brick constructions have been used for their inherent thermal advantages. We’ve taken cues from such vernacular designs and synergised them with 21st-century technology. According to research, traditional passive techniques can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%. Our design is more than just an homage; it’s a living testament to this research, integrating solar PV panels and a community borehole heat pump, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable housing.
Content:
- Vernacular Reborn: A seamless blend of age-old passive design techniques with avant-garde environmental solutions. Techniques such as thermal mass, solar shading, solar orientation, deep shaded wells, and courtyards are married with state-of-the-art environmental tech to achieve an effortlessly flowing, carbon-negative ambiance.
- The Enhanced Construction Block: Through rapid prototyping and MMCs, we introduce a variable porosity construction block. Fine-tuned to bolster both mechanical and thermal properties, this block stands as the testament of innovation at the heart of Salt House.
- Solar Mastery: Rooftop solar PV panels not only power the houses but also run a neighbourhood borehole heat pump. The electrical grid becomes a zero-loss battery, ensuring energy sufficiency even during night time.
- Illustrations: 3D Model of Salt House showing its innovative design, especially the block construction. Infographic of solar integration into the home design.
Board 2: Material Sustainability
Title: “The Salt Solution: From By-Product to Building Block”
Narrative:
Desalination, a vital process for water-scarce regions, often leads to environmental concerns due to its salt by-products. Studies indicated that improper disposal of this salt can harm marine ecosystems. The Salt House provides a transformative solution. By harnessing the potential of salt, we not only alleviate the environmental burden but also revive an ancient building practice. Historical structures in Egypt and Persia have utilised salt/clay composites, proving their durability and efficacy. Embracing salt’s multifaceted attributes, from its hygroscopic nature to its moldability, we’re crafting a future where waste becomes wonder.
Content:
- Harnessing Salt: A circular approach that rethinks desalination’s by-product. Instead of disposing of salt, we embrace its potential, utilising it for building materials and thermal storage.
- Salt/Clay Composite: A nod to traditional construction in arid regions, this material offers:
- Superior thermal mass
- Humidity control
- Strengthening over time due to its hygroscopic nature
- Microbiological properties ensuring a healthier living space.
- Mouldability: Liquid salt’s unique malleability caters to diverse manufacturing techniques, ensuring scalability from artisanal constructs to large-scale projects.
- Illustrations: Cross-sectional view of the Salt/Clay Composite block, showcasing its porosity. Flowchart showing the process of turning salt into a usable construction material.
Board 3: Social Sustainability
Title: “More than Homes: Nurturing Community and Ecosystem”
Narrative:
At the heart of sustainable design lies community. Urban farming initiatives in cities like Detroit and Havana have showcased the transformative power of micro-agricultural plots, not just in food production but in community bonding. An article from the Journal of Urban Studies highlighted that such initiatives can reduce a community’s carbon footprint by up to 20%. Salt House embraces this ethos. By merging homes with agriculture and promoting the efficient use of grey water, we’re fostering a deeper connection between residents and their environment. Our designs prioritise health, well-being, and community, ensuring that every Salt House is not just a dwelling, but a thriving ecosystem.
Content:
- Micro-Agricultural Plots: An integration of homes with the land, using grey water and composted wastes to irrigate and fertilise. Residents grow their food, fostering community bonds and reducing carbon footprints.
- Health & Wellbeing: The Salt House design ensures:
- Comfortable internal environments, shielded from external heat.
- Humidity control for enhanced respiratory health.
- Microbiological benefits for a balanced indoor biome.
- Illustrations: Aerial view showing houses interspersed with lush green micro-agricultural plots. Close-up of a family enjoying the indoor comfort of their Salt House.
Board 4: Urban Sustainability
Title: “Reimagined Urbanism: From Courtyards to Communities”
Narrative:
The urban fabric should be more than just a collection of buildings; it should be a tapestry of interactions, privacy, ecological balance, and green sanctuaries. Taking cues from ancient courtyard designs prominent in Iraq, Iran, Morocco and Andalusia, the Salt House seamlessly melds these historic precedents with the undeniable benefits of native green spaces and urban agriculture.
Green spaces, particularly native landscapes, play an essential role in urban sustainability. According to studies, urban agriculture and green spaces can reduce the urban heat island effect by up 3 to 5°C, creating cooler neighbourhoods and reducing energy demands. This naturally cooled environment, in turn, enhances the comfort of individual homes, reducing their reliance on artificial cooling systems.
Moreover, integrating green spaces within urban housing promotes biodiversity, supports local fauna, and enhances the mental well-being of residents. It creates an environment where communities can thrive – bonding over shared gardens, local produce, and shaded retreats.
Salt House takes this philosophy to heart. By integrating water harvesting, grey water usage techniques, and dedicated green zones, we’re crafting an urban narrative that goes beyond sustainability, emphasising social enrichment, community health, and ecological resilience. We envision neighbourhoods that are interconnected, resource-efficient, and deeply rooted in both tradition and innovation, where green spaces are an integral component of the urban experience.
Content:
- Urban Strategies: By blending courtyard typologies with terraces, perimeter blocks, and organic urban morphologies, we ensure a diverse yet unified urban landscape that fosters community interaction and sustains privacy.
- Resource Management: Comprehensive water harvesting for multiple uses, from irrigation to sanitation. The strategy leverages current technology to extract grey water, turning waste into a valuable resource.
- Illustrations: Blueprint of the urban layout showcasing different housing typologies. Flowchart illustrating the water harvesting and usage strategy.