Architect: Imogen Pullar Architecture

Builder: MVH Constructions

Location: The traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people (Preston, VIC)

Stylist: Belle Hemming

A family of five look to improve functionality, storage, and outdoor living within their existing space.

Heating

The west facing windows provide Passive solar heating of the living area in winter. The old inefficient ducted gas central heating was removed, and replaced with new efficiency hydronic heating.

Cooling

Vertical retractable shading was added to the west facing windows, along with deciduous vines over the pergola, and deep overhangs prevent the hot summer sun penetrating the living areas in summer. The existing evaporative cooling system was retained and used as part of the new works.

Lighting

Natural light fills the kitchen through large north facing skylights. Blockout blinds assist in managing the amount of light entering the house.

The west and south elevations of the house contain large windows and glazed doors that allow natural light into the interior spaces. During the day artificial light is unnecessary in most of the internal rooms. Deep eaves, verandas and vertical external retractable shading provide shade in summer.

The house is fitted with low energy LED lights, some of which are salvaged from the existing house.

Appliances

All of the installed appliances are electric, including the oven and induction cooktop.

Water

To reduce water consumption, the house features tapware with 5 star water efficiency rating as a minimum. Toilet suits have a WELS 4 star rating. A 5000Lt water tank collects water from the roof which is reused for toilet flushing, in the laundry and for watering the garden.

Landscaping includes all permeable paving to maximise retention of storm- water on site, and reduce runoff. Local native plants feature in the garden, which are resistant to drought, and don't require excessive watering.

Embodied energy

The house is constructed of light weight materials, predominantly timber - which have low embodied energy and sequester carbon.

Insulation batts are made up of 80% recycled glass, with a sustainable bio- based binder that contains no added formeldahyde. They are also fully recyclable.

The use of poured concrete was minimized and confined to the pad footings and bike shed slab.

Weathertex is a zero carbon product, that takes less carbon in the manufacturing process than the timber product can absorb and store. It has low embodied energy, low VOC, with GreenTag certification and Declare Labeling.