MOUNTAIN RETREAT
This project seamlessly blends traditional construction with advanced environmental technologies. Featuring a robust, well-insulated interlocking log structure, the building maintains a classic exterior appearance while housing cutting-edge systems for heating, passive cooling, and water harvesting inside.
Designed to perform in a dry continental climate, the structure has been in operation for over a decade. Throughout this time, it has been closely monitored and has consistently delivered reliable performance—resisting both freezing winters and intense summer heat. In addition to its durability and comfort, the project has also resulted in significant energy savings, demonstrating the long-term benefits of combining time-tested building methods with modern sustainable solutions.
WHAT
Log House
WHERE
Hungary, Europe
WHEN
2008
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Hover over for info
visionarchitecture infographic (c)
Trench system
100M GEOTHERMAL COLLETOR PIPE
Ground Source Heat Pump
BRINE/WATER WITH PASSIVE COOLING
Solar Thermal Panel
5M2 FLAT PLATE
Hot Water Tank
450L
Wood Burning Stove
10kW WITH HEAT EXCHANGER
Underfloor Heating / Cooling
ROOF/WALL HEATING & COOLING
Enhanced Building
Envelope
100MM LOGS
140MM MINERAL WOOL
Heat Recovery
MECHANICAL VENTILATION
Grey Water Recycling
visionarchitecture infographic (c)
WHAT MAKES IT WORK?
1. Wood Burning Stove
10 kW wood-burning fireplace with heat exchanger connected to a 80 litre buffer tank
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On top of providing nostalgia and therapeutic effect they act as backup. Technologically advanced closed-combustion fireplaces have become very popular as they burn cleanly and thoroughly, retaining as much as 90% of the heat.
2. Ground Source Heat Pump
Coefficient of Performance (COP):
Uses: 5.14 kW electricity input
Produces: 22.5 kW heating output or heat removal
Cost difference between conventional heating systems and GSHP usually returned in energy savings in 3 to 10 years. System life is estimated at 25 years for inside components and 50+ years for the ground loop.
3. Immersion Heater Element
Backup Electric heating with 3000 W capacity
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Although the well sized ground source heat pumps do not require any direct immersion element, this is installed as a backup for the peak heating load during really cold winters.
4. Solar Thermal Panel
Flat-plate solar collectors with 4.36 m2 surface
Flat-plate collectors are the most common solar thermal technology in Europe. In climates where freezing is likely, a heat transfer fluid with antifreeze solution is used. A heat exchanger is employed to transfer heat from the solar collector fluid to a hot water storage tank.
Wood Burning Stove
Ground Source Heat Pump
Immersion Heater Element
Solar Thermal Panel
Water Tank
Cold Water
Domestic Hot Water
Under Floor &
Roof Heating/Passive Cooling
A buffer tank is a vessel that is used to contain a volume of heating system (primary) water. It is a particularly important component of a heat pump system, reducing the cycling of the heat pump in order to increase life-span.
The use of MVHR
The application of an airtight and thermally efficient building envelope and a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) provides a highly efficient building that can retain heat and prevent loss of energy.
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The MVHR system supplies fresh filtered air into the building whilst retaining most of the energy that has already been used in heating or cooling the building.
Passive cooling is also being provided in order to improve the indoor thermal comfort with low or no energy consumption.
1. Roof Heating
Similarly to underfloor heating this system provides low-temperature radiant heat and spreads warmth via the underside of the roof into the loft space.
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It is also being used for passive cooling during the summer months.
2. Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating spreads warmth over the entire floor area using low-temperature radiant heat with great energy efficiency and low running costs.
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It is also being used for passive cooling during the summer months.
3. Domestic Hot Water
The hot water from the solar collectors, GSHP, immersion heater and the heat from the wood burner is stored in the hot water cylinder. As the domestic hot water requires the highest temperature, immersion heater can be used as a back up to heat the water further to reach the temperature you want.