(Title)
LGH Country House
(Year)
2022
(Area)
142 sq
(Type)
Residential
(Location)
Fayoum, Egypt
(Firm)
KAL
(Role)
Principal Architect & Project Lead
LGH Farmhouse was envisioned as a natural continuation and extension to the family’s existing farmhouse directly adjacent to the new structure. The farmhouse encapsulates a breezy central courtyard, with views of the lake on one side and the family’s farms on the other, acting as a central hub for the families to socialize and interact between both the old and new homes.
The new house’s main elevation is directly overlooking the historical Lake Qaroun from a private corner of the lake, unexposed to any main roads or intrusive neighbouring structures. The double-height sunken living room, dining nook and open kitchen act as the core living space, directly facing the prevailing winds and allowing for the house to be comfortably used both in winter and summer. Various roof terraces offer even more stunning unobstructed views of the lake and farms, whilst the predominant building material used is localized Qaroun stone. The thick stone walls perform extremely well in enhancing the building’s performance, along with various other high-performance strategies to offer a comfortable and healthy indoor environment.
The location of the site for LG farmhouse is strategic. The prevailing winds from the South-West are entering the house through its main elevations, including the large double-height glazing of the sunken living area. This orientation ensures that cool natural air is allowed to filter through the house to all indoor spaces (ensuring bedroom doors also allow for vents to filter air through into the rooms.) The same is applicable for the bedroom on the house’s first floor.
The courtyard is naturally sheltered from the hot Southern sun direction, along with the heavy indigenous vegetation, the space should allow for cool and sheltered common areas especially during summer.
Environmental Architectural Design Strategies Utilized:
- Strategically positioned opposing windows of varying sizes and height for enhance natural cross-ventilation
- Thick local stone walls for delayed heat and cold transfer into the indoor spaces
- White washed brick vault roofs aid in reflecting excessive sun gain and reducing indoor temperatures during summer, also aiding in enhanced indoor air flow and elimination of hot air from within the double-height living areas
- Heaving indigenous vegetation to improve indoor and outdoor air quality
- Breezy green courtyards to improve with cross-ventilation, air quality and reduce heat gain
- Strong insulation on all exposed roof slabs to reduce heat gain