A cube with a concept

Transparent, open and still suitable for passive house standards – an ingenious new build in the Netherlands combines two apparently irreconcilable objectives. The Solarlux bi-folding door plays a key role in the sophisticated concept.

The Dutch family had no experience with passive houses when they embarked upon the task of building a new home, but it soon became clear they would have to learn fast. Their local authority in Wierden had tied a few of their most coveted plots to a competition to come up with designs for highly sustainable houses. Minimising energy and water consumption was an important consideration, as were the construction materials used. The striking wooden facade of one of these houses impressed the jury across the board, and the applicants won the deeds to the property. 
 

A buffer zone between the inside and the outdoors
The sophisticated interplay between the architecture, the technology and the sunlight the building uses as a resource produces an ingenious and harmonious all-round result. One of the key components of the sustainable design concept is the bi-folding doors on the ground floor. As a form of patio glazing, they act as a king of “second skin” in front of the actual glazing of the living space itself. The glass front on the south side of the house lends it plenty of warmth due to the sunlight alone, while the overhand and the striking wooden cladding on the first floor above the patio area keep it from overheating in the summer. Everything is configured so perfectly that the sun is even effective as a natural, CO2-free heating system during the winter months. When the nights get colder, the family open up their inside living room glazing to allow the heat from the patio into their living area. 

Huge flexibility for the residents
The bi-folding door’s modern profile technology is completely in keeping with the open-plan living concept. The flush running track inset in the floor makes the transition fully accessible. Despite this, however, the living space is completely secured against unwanted visitors: Thanks to the built-in Solarlux convenience lock with handle, bolt-catch lock and locking bolt, highly effective anti-burglary protection is guaranteed. 

In addition to being functional, the bi-folding door is also hugely versatile – it can be opened in a number of different ways, making it the perfect boundary between the patio and the garden. Thanks to the floating lock catch system, it is possible to open some of the glass elements inwards and some outwards. And of course, the bi-folding door is also equipped to handle the wind and rain, with two all-round sealing levels to guarantee a high degree of impermeability.