Environmental Building Systems

Residential Home, North Suburbs of Melbourne

Client
The client of this property is The Carltons. They are a professional couple with a two- year old daughter and a three-year-old son. Their professional life consists of Mr. Calton working in the city from 9 am to 5 pm and Mrs. Carlton is a freelance graphic designer working from home, taking on the role of a business owner and stay-at-home mum. Their house design requires energy and water efficiency as they have a passion for efficiency. They also however do not wish to have hydronic slab heating due to a prior poor experience with leaking. The Carltons’ are also interested in environmentally friendly initiatives, having a healthy lifestyle, and reducing their carbon footprint. Mrs. Carlton has a love for gardening which the children occasionally take part in.

Climate
The climate in the inner north suburbs of Melbourne is within zone 6 which is mild in temperature. During the Winter there is low humidity and cool temperatures and in Summer there is moderate humidity and hot temperatures.
In response to the climatic conditions, both passive heating and cooling are required.

Orientation and Siting
The site is located in the inner north suburbs of Melbourne and is South facing. The home has an open plan living, dining, and kitchen area which is oriented toward the North to maximize solar access for heating efficiency and sunlight. This orientation is also beneficial as the laundry, bathroom, and toilet are faced toward the South. The home is placed central to the site to create equal garden space toward the front and back and maximize solar access.

Landscape
The site is located in the inner north suburbs of Melbourne and is South facing. The home has an open plan living, dining, and kitchen area which is oriented toward the North to maximize solar access for heating efficiency and sunlight. This orientation is also beneficial as the laundry, bathroom, and toilet are faced toward the South. The home is placed central to the site to create equal garden space toward the front and back and maximize solar access. A water body is created at the back of the site to create cool breezes from the North as it travels over the water’s surface and into the North facing windows.

Roof Type
A combination of a Skillion & Lean-To and a Box Gable Roof were chosen to maximise the space on the roof for solar panels.