Image Credit : Tess Kelly
Project Overview
Long House is a sustainable family home located in the environs of Gardiners Creek. Delicately re-establishing the connection to land, the house traces the fall of the site while maximising northern exposure and connection to the landscape from every room. Providing flexible program for a young family of four, the house encompasses robust yet warm sustainable materials.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Clare Cousins, Brett Wittingslow
Project Brief
The brief called for a new family home which was complementary and responsive to its leafy surrounds. Drawing on its proximity to Gardiners Creek the new house gently steps down to follow the natural topography of the site which was disregarded by the previous house. The linear form of the house provides opportunity for a sensitive connection with both the immediate landscape and the borrowed environs of Gardiners Creek.
Project Innovation/Need
Long house has a small footprint of 199m2 with a focus on flexible spaces to provide expanded amenity for the young family. The entry sequence into the house is through the garden to minimise constructed space. A long hallway traces the fall of the site with the two children’s bedrooms encompassing wide sliding doors opening onto the hallway, extending the bedrooms into the northern garden. The studio also navigates this threshold with a curtain screen allowing it to become a guest bedroom when not being used as a craft and playroom. At the western end the hallway ascends to a first floor study and living area, where the household can be overseen from above and Gardiners Creek envelopes the background. Externally, the hardwood cladding will grey off over time to blend the house further into the landscape.
Design Challenge
A tight budget resulted in a highly flexible and responsive house to suit the various site and client requirements. Traditional uses of space were reconsidered to provide flexible outcomes for the family well into the future. By tracing the fall of the land the built volume was able to be reduced with raked ceilings providing a sense of airiness. The sequencing from garden to entry, entry through house, allowed for a sense of scale which belied its modest size.
Sustainability
Long House has a particular focus on sustainability with a number of initiatives undertaken. The long expanse of roof is utilised with a north facing 12kw solar panel array, with 10kw inverter capacity complementing the system. Additional services outcomes include the disconnection of gas from the property and the inclusion of an electric heat pump for hydronic and hot water. Renewable Australian hardwood was sourced for the external cladding, flooring and internal linings. Solar orientation to the north was maximised with timber awnings providing shade during the summer months. The linear form of the house also allows for effective cross ventilation. The existing native landscape was enhanced and expanded upon, resulting in a water efficient garden which builds upon the adjacent Gardiners Creek reserve.
Environmental Design
This award celebrates innovative and creative design for environmental projects. Consideration given to materials, finishes, sustainablility and environmental impact.
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