Designer: Brave New Eco

Builder: Pledge Builders

Architect: Green Solar Designs

Location: Wurundjeri country (Brunswick, VIC)

Stylist: Belle Hemming

'Enduring house' is a grand old double-fronted Edwardian Dame on a leafy street in Brunswick West. Typical of Melbourne homes from the era, some of her appealing features include a high-pitched gable roof, lead-lighting, pressed metals and twin pairs of original clay chimney pots.

Nick and Sarah had raised their three young boys in this tumble-down home for many years, making do with a makeshift kitchen, leaky lean-to and a total lack of insulation. Being freestanding with high ceilings and a deep rambling north-facing garden, there is a lot to love about Enduring house, however, they were ready to give the growing boys some more space, future proof the energy efficiency of the building and create multi-generational living options so that Nick’s ageing parents could eventually join the family abode.

Sustainable features and energy efficiency

• Replaced all windows in house (except front bay windows with original decorative glass) with timber-framed Argon-filled double glazed windows

• Replaced floors in existing footprint with insulation underneath floors.

• Relined internal walls of existing adding wall and ceiling insulation throughout.

• Kept existing footprint by utilising attic space of pitched roof extension.

• Removed ducted heating and replaced with healthy radiant hydronic heating.

• Opted to retain existing hot water and cooktop (on gas) as relatively new and will be replaced at end-of-life for electric.

• Living, dining kitchen areas oriented to the north. Majority of glazing to the north with minimal in this area to the west.

• Passive solar design includes fixed shading to the north for the summer sun.

• Passive ventilation includes an operable skylight on top level to ventilate hot air from house using the stairs as a thermal chimney.

• Installed ceiling fans throughout.

• House pressure tested by certified passive house builders and achieved a very high rating.

• Added a 5000L litre custom tall water tank in narrow space plumbed to toilets and laundry.

• Installed air-drying racks and rails in the laundry.