BDAA Design Awards 2019 - Chris Reardon Memorial Award resid. sust. buildings
The warm texture of a rammed earth anchors this light-filled home. Cocooning living areas and lining the entry, providing thermal mass, aesthetics and regulating humidity. The rammed earth is a spine, leading visitors from the double-height entry to a warm, bright living area. Living areas and kids' bedrooms are warmed by winter sun, looking north. Recycled timber pergola and portico continue the theme externally. A careful plan and high-performance thermal envelope create an energy efficient home with 8.3 EER. Solar-powered hydronic slab heating and winter sunshine keep the house warm in winter. Thermally massive concrete floors + rammed earth walls keep cool in summer, protected by highly-insulated external walls. The double-height entry acts as thermal chimney, venting warm air as it rises from living areas. Triple-glazed composite windows complete the energy efficient design. Modern materials + colours plus recycled red brick combine contemporary Canberran architecture and style.