Treading lightly

With sustainability at its core, this home produces more energy than it consumes and saves water and electricity – attracting a NatHERS 8.3 star rating

An understated front door disappears into the cladding.

The sculptural stair – minimising circulation space helps

White and wood predominate on the interior.

Looking through from the rear living area back

Light pours into this home – including from

Timber accents in the kitchen cabinetry pick up

Sun streams into the living zone from the

Looking through the shower stall to the rear

Master bedroom and deck. - Treading lightly -

Louvres mitigate solar control as the seasons turn.

Designed by Nick Bell Architects

From the architects:

The brief

The aim of this project was to create a long-term family home that could evolve with the needs of the family over time and provide a warm and welcoming space for its users and guests.

Sustainability was one of the core principles of the brief, with the goal of designing a home that was cool in summer, warm in winter and cosy in between.

The design was also to establish an easy transition from inside to out to allow for a relaxed indoor-outdoor lifestyle.

Description

With sustainability at the core of the design, this family house produces more energy than it consumes and saves water and electricity – attracting a NatHERS 8.3 star rating.

Large sliding doors within the front and rear façade create a fluid relationship between indoor and outdoor areas and evoke a relaxed beach vibe commensurate with its surroundings in Bondi Beach.

Key elements such as the use of off form concrete, timber cladding and the sculptural stairs were carefully considered to uplift the overall design and create focus points as well as a warm palette within interiors and exteriors.

Sustainability plus

Sustainability featured in all decision making for the design of this home.

Here is how they are keeping their home cool in summer, warm in winter, while minimising emissions.

Aspect

Living areas and main bedroom facing north – adjustable louvres over a north facing external living space provide shade for hotter months and allow the sun in during winter.

Building envelope

Walls – highly insulated, over and above minimum requirements.
Roof and ceilings – highly insulated, over and above minimum requirements.
Thermal mass to store embodied energy, achieved by incorporating PCM (phase change material) within the external timber framed walls – double glazed high performance glass windows.
Thermally broken aluminium windows frames.
First floor roof form that provides through ventilation to bedrooms and double aspect natural lighting.

Energy

Solar – 37 solar panels on the rooftop, achieving optimum solar gains.
Stiebeleltron heat pump system + storage – supplying hot water, hydronic under floor heating in winter and pool heating.
Apricus ETC-30T tube collectors improve energy efficiency.
BYD 10.2kW DC Battery.
Fronius WattPilot (solar) Electric Vehicle Charging.
Energy efficient lighting and appliances

Space planning

Thermal separation of basement from living areas.
Minimised circulation space to reduce building footprint.
Avoiding oversized rooms.

Water

4000L tank installed to maximise water savings.
Rainwater tanks connected to flush toilets, washing machine, external taps and irrigation.
Low water use tap and shower fittings.

Air