Grapevines on a pergola provide summer shade and extra privacy to this northern terrace during summer.
Unique permeable concrete paving allows all rainwater to be delivered to the subsoil.
The brief was to design and contruct a home in a small block at the rear of an existing home (urban infill) of 190 SqM, which the owners could live in right through there old age. It was to be 6 star rated and to address the Elwood Canal (creek reserve) as it's 'front'. The space while small hosts an 80 year old Mulberry Tree which influenced the design of both the building and the garden.
Aluminium thermal break, doubled glazed windows throughout – maximised on the north and east and minimised on south. None to the west, a boundary.
Elwood Canal - 2007
The upper floor is 19 mm parquetry over structural ply on hardwood joists.
The base is a polished concrete slab. This is insulated & constitutes the primary thermal mass. 3 Hydronic circuits are cast into the slab to form the basis of the central heating system. Thermal Mass: The use of high density materials in the living spaces absorbs the winter sun during the day and releases the warmth back into the room at night e.g. insulated terrazzo slab polished floor, western double brick boundary wall.
On both levels all internal walls are 110 mm, timber frame with thermal/acoustic insulation. At ground level the external walls are insulated double brick, 300 thick. While upstairs they are steel clad, insulated timber frame, 150 thick. Recycled Materials used: Bricks, Timber (stairwell & stairs.)
Cheetham Wetlands - 2000. Studio
Cheetham Wetlands - 2000. Studio
Cheetham Wetlands - 2000. Studio
Cheetham Wetlands - 2000. Studio
Westgate - 1989. One very large fridge - run on amonia to avoid cfc's, built on 6 mtrs of fly ash tipped in an old quarry.
The brief was to develop an existing dwelling on a large block into a 5 bedroom home, subdivide the block and construct a new home for a second family at the rear of the block (addressing the Elwood Canal), gardens to be low maintenance, drought resistant & food producing. The challenge was to allow each home a feeling of both space and privacy, indoors and out.
The original house was positioned in the centre of the block. In order to allow access to the new rear dwelling, it was pushed 2 metres across the block.
The rear of the original house was altered to provide a large familyroom opening to the courtyard.
Regional Victoria - 2008. Handmade mudbrick extension with client involvement in building.
Regional Victoria - 2008. Handmade mud bricks.
Extension built onto existing old tram.
The Monaro NSW - 1983. Homestead and Barn. Stone, thermal mass core, mud floor.
The Monaro NSW - 1983. Homestead and Barn. Stone, thermal mass core, mud floor.
The Monaro NSW - 1983. Homestead and Barn. Stone, thermal mass core, mud floor.
The Monaro NSW - 1983. Homestead and Barn. Stone, thermal mass core, mud floor.
The Monaro NSW - 1983. Homestead and Barn. Stone, thermal mass core, mud floor.
The Monaro NSW - 1983. Homestead and Barn. Stone, thermal mass core, mud floor.
The Monaro NSW - 1983. Homestead and Barn. Stone, thermal mass core, mud floor.
The Monaro NSW - 1983. Homestead and Barn. Stone, thermal mass core, mud floor.
The Monaro NSW - 1983. Homestead and Barn. Stone, thermal mass core, mud floor.
The Monaro NSW - 1983. Homestead and Barn. Stone, thermal mass core, mud floor.
