Neerim South, VIC
2021
David Halford
The brief was for a house with curves. This is satisfied with a curved plan, circular rooms, spiral stair to a circular star gazing turret, curved internal walls and a sine curve ceiling. The garden front sweeps around the ridge contours to take in the views to the Baw-Baw ranges. A veranda canopy spirals round this façade, increasing in width towards the east to maintain correct shading to the windows and rises to become the rotunda roof over the circular master bedroom at the east end.
This is balanced at the west end facing the drive with the roof deck rotunda which is accessed by a spiral stair that peels away from the drum wall. On the opposite façade the curved canopy over the zen garden has an elliptical opening for a tree to grow through. The geometry is intricate but regular. Although curved on plan all roofs and walls are straight on section to simplify construction which enabled prefabricated panels to be used.
Internally the curved entry area leads past the circular quiet room with its floating disk ceiling into the central living area. The sitting area is distinguished from the kitchen/dining area by a high sine curve ceiling in blackbutt battens. Concealed sliding doors are used throughout with no projecting architraves or skirtings.
Comfort and energy requirements are met by Passivhaus Plus certification. This maintains average temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees all year round, healthy air quality, no condensation or mould and energy positive in use.
The brief was for a comfortable, low energy house taking in the views to Mt Baw Baw and making use of curves as much as possible.
The rooms were to open out onto gardens and accommodation was to include a quiet room for meditation, a master suite, guest suite, large living areas, a star gazing deck, a double garage, and verandas including a zen garden.
High standards of finishes and acoustic separation were required.
The garden front sweeps around the ridge contours to take in the views to hills. A veranda canopy spirals round this façade, increasing in width towards the east to maintain correct shading to the windows and rises to become the rotunda roof over the circular master bedroom at the east end. This is balanced at the west end with the roof deck rotunda which is accessed by a spiral stair that peels away from the drum wall. On the opposite façade the curved canopy over the zen garden has an opening for a tree to grow through. The geometry is intricate but regular. Although curved on plan all roofs and walls are straight on section to simplify construction.
Internally the curved entry area leads past the circular quiet room with its floating disk ceiling into the central living area. The sitting area is distinguished from the kitchen/dining area by a high sine curve ceiling in blackbutt battens over acoustic material. Concealed sliding doors are used throughout with no projecting architraves or skirtings.
The render finish chosen by the clients is provided by Masterwall cladding which also provides the BAL rating and primary insulation. Together with the 140mm prefabricated panels which the high walls require, this provides ample acoustic separation. Comfort and energy requirements are met by Passivhaus Plus certification. This maintains average temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees all year round, healthy air quality, no condensation or mould and energy positive in use. Liveable Housing Standards are also met.
I specialise in reducing energy consumption in buildings to a level that can be provided by solar power, while enhancing comfort and avoiding pitfalls such as condensation.
After several decades as a UK registered architect designing low energy, educational, commercial and residential buildings for a wide range of clients I established 5c Sustainable Building Design in Australia in 2012.
Since then I have completed many Passivhaus design projects as well as providing Passive House consultancy for other designers, builders and owners.
Experience from my Passivhaus designs has shown that the comfort, health and low energy benefits can be achieved cost effectively in a variety of Australian climate zones. They generally use about a tenth of the heating energy of standard construction which allows them to be energy positive (Passive House Plus) with a modest pv array. All my projects are now Passivhaus designs.
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