Why Round Buildings are Better
I’ve been doing some research into Resilient Housing, right from the start I was convinced that a round house would be the way to go. Our Ancestors often built round houses — take Igloos, Teepees, African Mud Brick Huts, Yurts and European Roundhouses for example.
European Round House
African Round House
Celtic Round House
African Round House
Navajo Round House
Round Houses have many benefits :-
1. Less embodied energy
Of any shape a circle has the shortest boundary relative to it’s area. A round house has less wall length, thus fewer materials are required to built it. 15–20% less material is needed to create the same size building compared to a rectangular design…
2. More Energy Efficient
As a Round House has a lower surface area relative to floor space when compared to a rectangular building, this means that as there is a reduced area exposed to the weather outside it will take less energy to heat / cool the interior. Round Houses are also more aerodynamic and so admit fewer draughts.
“A round home is more energy efficient than a conventional rectangular home because there is less dead space (i.e. corners) for cold air to collect and there is less drafting because the wind diffuses around the building rather than catch a large solid wall.” — Francois Massau, Round House Builder
3. Earthquake and Wind Resistant
A Round House has dozens of interconnected points which give it a unique combination of flexibility and strength — qualities that make them significantly stronger than rectangular buildings during earthquakes.
Winds and Tsunami waves move naturally around a round building rather than getting caught on corners. A rounded roof also avoids ‘air-planing’ where strong winds can lift the roof structure off the building.
…the superior aerodynamic behavior of the Roundhouse reduces the wind pressure load acting on the building to its minimum — less than half (!) that of a square building (center) and much less than irregular building forms (right), making the RHT’s round form the most effective, least expensive to withstand high winds.
Eli Attia, Architect & Round House Designer
4. Cheaper to Build
Round Houses cost significantly less to build than rectangular ones. They use less materials for the same floor area and are faster to build. The lower exterior surface area also means that Round Houses are cheaper to maintain.
5. Better Acoustics
Sound waves dissipate as they wrap around a building, thus shielding the interior from loud noises outside. The curve also softens sounds inside the building, so a Round House is the perfect place to rest or for socialising and listening to music.
6. Natural Climate Control
A Round House will capture breezes from all directions, and also ensures an even and constant ventilation throughout the home.
7. Maximum Day Lighting and Solar Energy
You will have even, optimal exposure to daylight and solar energy throughout the day; as at all times the sun’s rays are perpendicular to the Round House exterior wall.
8. Round Houses are incredibly flexible.
You don’t have to have round rooms in a round house, you can have conventional rectangular rooms with the benefit of panoramic bay windows. As interior walls do not provide any load bearing/structural support or a service function (water, waste, electricity) room layouts in a Round House can be endlessly customised.
“Circular living provides a balance of looking inward and outward, looking out at the natural environment and surroundings but then coming in again to the self and the hearth.” David Raitt, Yurt Builder
When Hurricane Charley hit Port Charlotte, Florida in 2004, Roger Magill took refuge in his round, wooden house during the storm. Magill was surprised to find his home was the only one in the neighbourhood that emerged unscathed after the storm. Apparently a house opposite lost it’s roof and his neighbours suffered 51% damage to their home.
Furnishing Round Houses can be quite tricky…
However furniture mostly floats away from the walls (whether your house is round or rectangular), it’s just a question of fitting a curved counter top in your Kitchen…
You could say that a Round House has ‘Curve Appeal’…
Call Claire — +27 82 399 0180
bluedesigns5@gmail.com
www.bluedesigns.org
I love Architecture. I think it’s vital to talk about all aspects of Architecture — whether it be planning, construction, design or green building. I have written 3 E-Books & over 110 articles. Please feel free to let me know if you have any queries regarding architecture, planning & construction & I will assist you.
I am originally from the UK and moved to South Africa in 1999. I started Blue Designs in 2004 after working as a driver for Avalon Construction on a luxury home in the Featherbrook Estate. In my spare time I am an artist and writer.
Other Articles I have written include :-
Building Green? Here are some tips.
Common Mistakes People make when Designing a House
The Advantages of Sustainable Building
Considering Buying or Renovating a Heritage Home? Pros and Cons
Renovation vs New Construction — which is Greener and Better for the Environment?
Bizarre Buildings Part Two — Space Age Fantasy
Weird and Wonderful Buildings Part Three — Three Buildings that make Music
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Sources :-
https://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/mr-fuller-why-would-you-build-round-house.html
https://roundhouses.wordpress.com/
https://econation.co.nz/blog/the-benefits-of-round-houses/
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/eli-attia/squaring-the-circle_b_504592.html
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Originally published at https://www.bebee.com.
