Proposal of Energy-efficient Living Strategies based on Traditional Japanese Environmental Design: the Project of “Kisekae House”

We proposed the Kisekae House as a net-zero energy house for the 2017 Enemane House Competition. The traditional Japanese environmental design based on the traditional lifestyle, which is unique as it is adjustable according to the local climate conditions, was arranged to suit to the current lifestyle and incorporated into the Kisekae House. The main concept of the house is to maintain good relations with neighbors and to be in contact with the surrounding natural environment. Specifically, the house design enhanced the thermal performance of the house envelope, installed the high efficiencies of household appliances, introduced a superior energy-utilization control system, and incorporated energy generation using solar photovoltaics. In addition, the resident’s behaviors, including controlling the high-thermal-performance doors, partitions, and shades, also facilitated energy savings and allowed the creation of a comfortable environment. The Kisekae House was evaluated in terms of reduction in energy consumption and the energy self-sufficiency, the environmental conditions were also evaluated in winter. The proposed design facilitated a 143% reduction in the primary energy consumption based on that of a standard house. The proposed design strategies are expected to contribute to achieving the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement to mitigate global warming.