Family wraps home in greenhouse to warm up Stockholm weather

The average temperature in Stockholm in January is -3°C (27°F). For Marie Granmar and Charles Sacilotto it can be much warmer thanks to the greenhouse that blankets their home.

“For example at the end of January it can be -2°C outside and it can be 15 to 20°C upstairs,” explains Sacilotto. He was inspired to build a house-in-a-greenhouse through his relationship with architect Bengt Warne who began designing the first Naturhus (Nature House) in 1974*.

Originally Sacilotto looked for an empty lot to build an entirely new Naturhus, but he eventually settled on an old summer house on the Stockholm archipelago. Using Warne’s design, he covered the small summer house, plus an addition, in 4 millimeter glass. The footprint of the greenhouse is nearly double that of the home, leaving plenty of room for a wrap-around garden, and since inside the bubble it’s a Mediterranean climate, the couple now grow produce atypical for Sweden (e.g. figs, tomatoes, cucumbers).

The favorite spot is the glass-covered roof deck. Since there’s no longer need for a roof, the couple removed it and now have a large space for sunbathing, reading or playing with their son on swings and bikes.

The greenhouse isn’t the only novel point to the Granmar-Sacilotto home. They are also completely independent from city sewage. Built by Sacilotto- an engineer by training-, the sewage system begins with a urine-separating toilet and uses centrifuges, cisterns, grow beds and garden ponds to filter the water and compost the remains.

* In the video, Granmar mentions architect Bengt Warne's influence in the 1990s since this is the date he reached a larger audience with his book release.

[dumyjobby]

whao i can't imagine how cool is to stay on the terrace when is raining.

[Kuma]

I love this housing idea for a lot of reasons.

1. Keeping warm during cold winter in high latitude is really necessary.

2. If people are concerned with molding on wooden house, then simply open glassed windows during the summer.

3. Enhanced more safety from burglars (I love the idea of having double locking doors to keep inside home secure).

4. Terrace can be useful 24-7 without rain or snow disturbance!

5. Planting inside the property without disturbance from intruding animals is beneficial.

[SFTartist]

Being able to sit "outside" when windy, rainy, cold ... what a great idea! Vents necessary, but my, I'd love that.

[michaelkelly]

About 40 years or so ago, Mother Earth News published a story about a family in England who put a dome shaped greenhouse over their trailer home. It worked well enough that even during an English winter with snow on the ground around the dome, they were comfortable enough inside to be wearing shorts and tee shirts inside the dome. This is an outstanding expansion of the basic idea. Thanks for sharing this.

[minimumwrist]

love how she's sneaking in cleaning the house as they film.

[kayliathequeen]

Seek and you shall find ✨️. It crossed my mind the other day, to create a greenhouse surrounding a self statainable home. I love how environmentally thoughtful this home is. Inspiring!

[xBeauGaming]

That's a super cool idea to wrap the house in a green So cool!

[FrederickDunn]

What?!!! THIS is extraordinary.... I am so glad I saw this...

[rapidfirerob]

This is just incredible. I thought the husband was an engineer, from the way he talked. He really knows what he's doing. What a great way to live!

[TheBushdoctor]

"I'm going to wash the windows honey. See you around autumn!"

[jasondeutschbein]

I would love to watch the rain under the glass.

[daniellafferety]

I love the idea of stepping out of my house. Not being rained on, and sitting in my garden without buges, snow, sleet in Illinois in December this would be a unique experience for Christmas.

[mzoesp]

I would love to see a video of this house in the dead of winter.

[ldekker]

I discovered this channel 2 hours ago, and I think it's already one of my favourites. I absolutely LOVE the innovative ideas you cover :)

[markmoorman]

Beautiful! Thank you to the family for sharing their wonderful home with us. :)

[maggiebuchanan]

Now that's what I call a smart house. I can see a lot of opportunities living like this, adding solar panels and more growing plants for food items. It's really an amazing house.

[mtownz]

This is pretty hardcore. I thought it ended with the green house, but man's built that whole toilet system. That's pretty impressive and nothing to shit on. Pun intended

[estherarroyo]

The green house is an amaizing idea! Very kind of this family to share it with the world. Really hard working people. I love the idea of being self sufficient!

[rannielaayumi]

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MY DREAM HOUSE! Isn't it lovely to watch the rain from the balcony without getting wet?

[scocassovegetus]

Amazing. I had this idea years ago, great to see there are people 'crazy' enough to actually do it.