Highlights
Project name: Periscope – reality displacement as space enhancer and energy storage device
Location: Unbuilt
Architects: Claerhout-Van Biervliet Architects + studio Adriaan Claerhout
Design Team: Xaveer Claerhout + Barbara Van Biervliet + Adriaan Claerhout
Project sector: residential
Image credits: Adriaan Claerhout
Breaking New Ground with Subterranean Design
The Periscope House in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, is not your typical residential architecture. Conceived by Claerhout-Van Biervliet Architects, this groundbreaking project reimagines how we utilize underground spaces.
Traditionally, subterranean buildings are seen as dark, dreary, and disconnected from the world above. The Periscope House challenges these perceptions by introducing a living space entirely below terrain level, yet filled with light and life.
Central to the design is a large patio at the heart of the building, surrounded by outdoor spaces, all below ground. This innovative layout ensures excellent thermal insulation, shielding the house from both heat and cold, while minimizing its visual impact on the landscape above. But what truly sets this project apart is how it tackles the typical drawbacks of underground living—namely, the lack of natural light and scenic views.
Light and Views: The Periscope Mirror System
One of the most remarkable features of the Periscope House is its unique use of mirrors to transform the subterranean space. The house employs a series of double mirrors, set at a 45-degree angle, which function like a periscope. These mirrors are mounted on movable structures that can be independently raised to capture light and views from above ground and direct them into the living spaces below.
This periscope mirror system ensures that natural light and scenic views penetrate deep into the structure, creating an inviting and pleasant atmosphere. By day, the mirrors rise, bringing the outside world inside. At night, they descend, integrating seamlessly with the landscape. This ingenious solution makes the underground space feel open and connected to its surroundings, enhancing the overall living experience.
Sustainability at Its Core: A Gravity Battery
The Periscope House isn’t just about innovative design—it’s also a beacon of sustainability. The mobility of the mirror structures serves a dual purpose. Not only do they enhance light and views, but they also function as plant containers for hanging greenery, bringing lush plant life into the building’s depths.
The upper mirror constructions are lifted using solar-powered engines. As the sun sets, these mirrors descend, utilizing their gravitational potential to generate mechanical energy. This energy drives a generator, producing electricity and transforming the mirror system into a gravity battery. This eco-friendly energy storage method is powered entirely by renewable solar energy, making the Periscope House a model of sustainable living.
Feasibility and Future Applications
While the Periscope House might sound like a high-tech marvel, the technologies it employs are surprisingly commonplace in the built environment. This makes the project not only innovative but also feasible. The architectural and engineering principles behind the Periscope House can be applied to various contexts beyond residential use, including offices, cultural spaces, and museums. This versatility opens up new possibilities for how we think about and utilize underground spaces.
Conclusion: A New Perspective on Underground Living
The Periscope House by Claerhout-Van Biervliet Architects is a visionary project that redefines our perception of subterranean living. By combining innovative mirror technology with sustainable energy solutions, it transforms an underground space into a light-filled, green, and energy-efficient home. Drawing inspiration from the spatial traditions of Roman and Palladian villas, the Periscope House offers a fresh perspective on how architecture can harmonize with the environment while enhancing the quality of life for its inhabitants. As we look to the future, projects like this pave the way for more sustainable and imaginative architectural solutions. Explore their innovative concepts in art, design, and architecture at the Metamorphic Art Studio.
