Glen Osmond Residence
A light filled, airy atmosphere is evident in a functional and efficiently planned residence where the internal living areas connect seamlessly and interact with the private landscaped courtyards.
Environmental considerations were focused on reducing energy and water usage and have delivered a house that consumes 40% of that required for a similar sized residence without compromising occupant comfort or aesthetics.
Passive design principles including north-south orientation, cross ventilation and maximizing the amount of natural light provide a sound basis for keeping energy use low and add significantly for the livability of this house.
Active systems include geothermal air conditioning, photovoltaic panels, solar hot water service, grey water recycling, stormwater reuse and motorized blinds to shade exposed sections of wall elevations.
The building shell is well insulated with shaded double glazed, high efficiency windows and a central thermal mass spine wall to moderate temperature within the house.
In practice the passive design elements maintain comfort conditions within the house for most of the year with the active systems, blinds, air conditioning only utilized when the external conditions are very cold or hot.
Sited on a small block the planning has a considered approach effectively dealing with the functional issues of access and orientation within the context of its immediate neighbourhood.
A warm and earthy external palette is expressed with the use of Tasmanian Sandstone, cream brick and zinc cladding. The stone continues internally as a feature of the two storey void and complements a blackbutt timber floor which continues throughout the living areas.
(September 2011) (
