For our latest residential project our client approached us with a brief to create a new environmentally sustainable two bedroom home to replace their existing 1960’s energy sapping cream brick residence.

The resulting design comprises an in-situ concrete raft slab, steel superstructure, LVL rafters and reverse brick veneer wall construction to both the skillion roofed open plan living area and the sleeping quarters. The cladding is predominantly reverse brick veneer with a lightweight steel lining to the external side and masonry internally in order to protect the thermal mass.

The form of the house is striking, with wrapped skillion ends to buffer eastern and western sun whilst opening up living areas to the northern light. Thermal performance was a major factor in siting the plan-form; carefully positioned awnings and retractable blinds ensure optimal active environmental control.

The use of reverse brick-veneer construction has also enabled the masonry thermal mass to be insulated via the use of high performance thermal (and acoustic) insulation.

The plan defines a separation of living and sleeping quarters, expressed in such a way to present two distinct plan forms, linked by a central glazed hallway link. This has also enabled the creation of separate summer and winter courtyards, located to take advantage of conditions responsive to the extreme ends of each season.

The project is currently on site and is due for completion in early 2016. We look forward to showing you some more photos then.