New Sustainable Villas Harness Sunlight Through Solar Control Glass, Panels

Harmony with nature, as well as environmental sustainability were both considerations in the new Ahk Kndu Villas project, located in Antalya, Turkey. Designed by GAD Architecture, Şişecam Flat Glass contributed its Temperable Solar Control Low-E Glass Neutral 62/44 product to the project in order to meet design requirements for high light transmittance, heat insulation and solar control.

Antalya, Turkey’s tourism center, is located near a region with important tourism potential. Although it is adjacent to the touristic coastline where five star hotels are located, the project area has a direct connection with the sea. In addition, the project is adjacent to the eastern border of the Aksu River, which flows into the Mediterranean and where various activities take place.

Using sunlight, natural ventilation

Following from the designer’s sustainability goals and interest in creating harmony with natural surroundings, the project was engineered on a north-south axis, and sunlight is utilized in the most efficient way on the roofs covered with solar panels. Using basic air conditioning principles, all open spaces in the villas have been designed considering the prevailing wind directions and natural ventilation conditions of the region in order to provide a comfortable interior space. The sustainable design approach followed focuses on producing environmentally friendly houses that can produce their own energy.

The wooden cladding acts as a shell and plays an important role in providing light balance in the interior, air conditioning and the separation of private space in the landscaping of the building environment. This building preserves the surrounding natural environment for residents, and allows vehicle traffic underground only.