Sustainable House Day - Harrison - ACT

Custom Built home less than $300,000   
Area 159m2 living + Carport 37m2    
First home buyers Penny & David Nettlefold approached Invision Renovations and Andrew Verri Architects to design and build their family home.  
With a small site 329m2, a small list of requirements and open to ideas and innovation the clients approached Invision Renovations and Andrew Verri Architects to design and build their family home.   In order to keep cost down and maximise the use of the site the proposed design consisted of 3 bedrooms upstairs and one open plan living dining and kitchen area downstairs.   All areas have been design to be functional & efficient, with hallways adding to the sense of space and privacy.   
A variation to the lease and development conditions was sort to enable the northern windows to have a solar access and outlook.  With the aid of an architectural model produced by Andrew Verri Architects actpla (the local planing body) finally approved the proposal.  

The home set on block to promote privacy, solar access, cross ventilation and to capture surrounding views with the following features;

DESIGN

6 star energy rating

All bedrooms face due north

All living areas face due north

A private north facing courtyard

Simple efficient spacial planning usingevery m2

Sunken lounge room

Innovative bathroom design to increase usability and efficiency

Contemporary kitchen & Joinery design

Windows to frame views, Lounge, Bed 1, Bathroom& hallways

Dynamic LED lighting which can change colour / mood

 
COOLING

Ceiling fans for energy efficient cooling

Excellent cross ventilation

 
HEATING

Solar passive heating with an efficient gas fireplace for backup

Efficient and centrally located gas hot water service

Air-locks to reduce areas to be heated

Efficient under tile heating

 
INSULATION

Sarking and R2 batts for walls throughout

R1 blanket with R4 ceiling batts throughout

Timber window frames with double glazing to the south for insulation

Cellular blinds throughout

 
WATER

Small 25m2 of lawn with the majority of the landscaping to be Australian native with low water use plants

Laundry water to overflow to lawn

2000Ltr rainwater tank for irrigation

Quality fixtures & fittings chosen with a minimum 3 star water efficency

 
ENERGY

Abundance of natural light with no blank hallways

All lighting is energy efficient fluorescent or LED, switched & zoned to use and reduce consumption

North facing roof for future 2.5kw photovoltaic power generator, capable of producing 2 times the consumption.

 
MATERIALS & FINISHES

Polished concrete floor, by owner & architect to reduce cost, embodied energy and reduce maintenance

Biodegradable low allergy carpet

Innovative wall and floor tiles, antibacterial, anti-fungal and break down carbon equivalent to 3.5 deciduous trees inside

No shower screen to reduce maintenance

Timber cladding from a renewable resource

Brick cladding low maintenance exterior and recyclable

Metal roofing increased energy efficiency and recyclable

 
CONSTRUCTION

Full height glazed windows and doors 2400 high to the exterior to increase the feeling of space and light

Custom detailed joinery throughout

Square set cornices & full height doors to increase the feeling of height & space

The Home won a commendation by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects  in 2009 >