The Skytherm House is a single-story residence with 115 m 2 floor area. Corrugated steel panels form the ceiling. Four water bags lie on the steel panels and 12 movable insulation panels slide above the water bags. The water bags are 2400 mm wide by 11.6 m long with a depth of 250 mm. The water in the closed bags provides thermal storage for warmth in winter and coolness in summer.
Insulation covering the water bags acts as a movable thermal valve.
The Skytherm House maintains comfortable interior temperatures by juxtaposing insulation and mass to minimize interior temperature swings. In summer , movable insulation covers the water bags during the day to prevent heat gain from solar radiation. Heat flows from the occupants to the cool ceiling and into the water bags, where it is stored. At night the insulation is rolled away from the water bags and the stored heat is radiated from the water bags to the cool night sky. The next morning, the insulation is rolled over the water bags to prevent heat gain from the sun and the cycle is repeated.