New standards for economy and design: The Czech construction company LIKO-S and the Czech architect Zdenek Fränek have developed a self-sufficient zero-energy building. The LIKO NOE project is based on the concept of “natural thermal stabilization”. This means that it only uses energy provided by natural sources such as sunlight or underground cold. The building is also independent of any external water supply.

LIKO NOE is located in South Moravia, near the city of Brno, and its design is reminiscent of a wide ship. This is intentional, because images and motifs of the biblical Noah’s ark served as a model during the development. Above all however was the idea of harmonizing and accommodating man and nature. This is also the basis of this name - LIKO “NOE”. Large, round windows remind of cabin portholes and allow sunlight to further penetrate the interior. This minimizes the use of artificial light. The facade, however, is almost completely covered by grass, which directly contributes to the building’s water supply.

A system based on the functioning of roots - a so-called “constructed wetland” - cleans the wastewater and makes it reusable to not waste any usable rainwater and to be generally independent of an external water. The water is purified by the interaction of plants, microorganisms, and a filter substrate. This system is supported by a surrounding catch basin in the form of a wetland.

Even the bathrooms signal sustainability: Washbasins of the series Starck 2 and Starck 3 and urinals from Duravit are aligned to longevity in design and functionality. Additionally, the SensoWash shower toilet is particularly economical in the use of resources. It features a power saving mode and prepares hot water only as needed.