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Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

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Green In More Ways Than One
HomesLaura Box

Green In More Ways Than One

Australia

When a couple from the sustainability sector approached Drawing Room Architecture to extend their home, there were a few challenges immediately facing the renovation.


The clients wanted to extend their Brunswick property for their growing family by adding a third room, a study and a master bedroom with an ensuite, while ensuring the house reflected their sustainability goals.

A white entrance hallway has high ceilings and an archway with photographs covering the walls.

“As a compact workers cottage that was built to both boundaries with one of those being a party wall running the length of the house, space was limited,” says Drawing Room Architecture’s Nicola Dovey.

Adding the additional level came with a set of challenges, including ensuring daylight to existing neighbouring windows wasn’t inhibited.

Terrazzo bench and dulux asparagus green painted joinery.

“The site also had a heritage overlay so heights needed to be kept to a minimum and the new second storey needed to not be seen from the street,” adds Dovey.

With the limitations in mind, Drawing Room Architecture designed a home that uses orientation to its advantage, while remaining space-and-energy conscious. 

A round dining room table with sage chairs in the foreground and a living room in the background of the Brunswick home.

Passive design and designing for orientation ensured light to all rooms and heat-effective living year-round. The living spaces are placed to the north, no windows on the upper-level face west and the western sun is externally screened. The ground floor is made of recycled masonry, the upper of light metal cladding and solid insulation, with double glazing to help heat regulation.

Dining table, floating staircase and kitchen of the Brunswick home.

Daylight is brought in through the addition of multiple small courtyards and a skylight above the “floating” and permeable staircase. Solar panels line the new roof, powering the now entirely electric house. Water collected from the roof supplies the garden’s veggie patch, the laundry and the toilets.

Navy blue lounge chairs in the living room of the Brunswick home.

Making up for the small space, some of the rooms ended up being smaller than the architects and their clients hoped, but “it wasn’t until it was built that we were relieved to see those rooms working and not feeling or being too small,” shares Dovey.

While the effort to enhance sustainability and maximise space was tantamount, aesthetics haven’t been spared.

“Materials and details were kept natural, simple and playful so spaces maintained a sense of being calm, warm and open,” says Dovey.

A Dulux coloured Asparagus Green sliding door between the Brunswick home's bathroom and laundry.

Even though a slab was needed for the floor, Havwoods engineered timber was laid over it to keep the space warm, both aesthetically and physically. 

Carrara Nero Terrazzo by Signorino adds a touch of playful drama in the kitchen and bathrooms where it is used sparingly as the accent material. Upstairs, the black and white pattern is continued in the salt and pepper carpet. Dulux colour Asparagus Green is the only additional colour throughout the home, used on all sliding doors and the kitchen pantry joinery.

The Brunswick house, consequently, is light, welcoming and feels bigger than its 300-square-metres.

 The Brunswick home's backyard exterior.

Project Details

Architects: Drawing Room Architecture
Engineer: Structural Bureau
Stylist: Natalie James
Builder: MVH Constructions
Building Energy Assessment: BEAC
Photography: Daniel Fuge

Did you enjoy this story? We think you might like this compact inner-city terrace.


About the Author

Laura Box

Tags

BrunswickCompact HouseDrawing Room ArchitecturePassive DesignSolar EnergySustainable Architecture


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Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

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