This knockdown-rebuild project breaks all the Passivhaus rules: it is challenged by suboptimal orientation, sprawling form, complex roofs and too much volume. Yet, it works like a charm!
This project demonstrates how, in the right hands, the Passivhaus design standard is powerfully flexible. It can accommodate less-than-perfect sites and diverse requirements and still produce efficient, healthy homes that delight their occupants.
The street lies to the north of this long site that slopes gently to the south. The Envirotecture team were expert in passive solar design. At the time of this design they were beginning to learn about Passivhaus and how it gave them more tools and flexibility and could accurately predict performance and comfort. The homeowners were in for the ride, learning alongside their architects. (Thornleigh was another project from this exploratory era.)
A north-facing courtyard was key to the floor plan and other elements flowed on from this fundamental choice. It makes for a more complex shape that is inherently less energy-efficient, but by energy-modelling at design stage appropriate compensations could be made. The courtyard draws in winter sun and warmth and offers a sheltered space for outdoor dining.
The street elevation retains a traditional aesthetic that nods to the cottage that formerly stood here and blends with the streetscape. Higher volume spaces have been created at the rear of the home. The two are connected via a green roof, which the main bedroom looks over. There’s no glare or reflected heat, unlike a long run roof.
The long hallway features a dramatic curved plywood ceiling, a beautiful and welcoming design feature that accentuates the double height ceiling. Above it is the ducting that ensures constantly fresh air throughout the home plus it also accommodates the extra depth required for the green roof space.
The home is all-electric. A single split system provides supplementary heating or cooling when it’s needed. High-performance uPVC windows are clad externally with aluminium, providing a low-maintenance, durable solution. Cladding is locally sourced and the material is low in embodied carbon emissions. Inside, the staircase and the batten screen are crafted from a native hardwood. The forest-like rising of the blackbutt adds depth and texture to the space, contrasting well against the burnished concrete floor.
