Californian architectural students win Concrete Centre competition after designing house with 'arteries'

Two architectural students from California have won an eco-house design competition with a scheme based on a cardiovascular system that transfers and stores heat.

Salvadori Ceja and Sergio Marquez, from the California State Polytechnic University, have won the eco-house student design competition for their Vascular House design.

The house works by storing solar heat gains in concrete floor slabs and in two pools of water. The internal temperature of the house is controlled via ‘arteries’ embedded in the walls and slab, through which hot or cold water is pumped. The pumps are powered by photovoltaic panels.

Allan Haines, head of education and training at the Concrete Centre, which organised the competition, said: “The incorporation of the pools and concrete construction has resulted in an exciting proposal that promises significantly reduced CO2 emissions over the life of the building. We were particularly impressed by the understanding of practical environmental considerations and their translation into a house of spatial delight.”

Topics