Moonah House in Connewarre is the home & coastal studio office of Paul Baker & Sarah Drofenik of Baker Drofenik Architects. Built on land once covered by Moonah woodland, the project has been an ongoing process of learning & experimentation. From the outset, the house was conceived as an opportunity to explore high-performance construction & net-zero living through an airtight, highly insulated envelope achieving an 8.1-star energy rating within a modest budget.
The building comprises a three-bedroom home, separate studio, & open carport. Lightweight foundations & a low-carbon concrete studio slab were selected to reduce embodied energy, while timber is used extensively in both structure & finishes. Circular design principles informed material choices, with recycled elements such as remilled timber flooring incorporated throughout.
Built-in joinery was minimised to allow flexibility over time. The kitchen centres on a freestanding island made from low-embodied-energy materials, designed as a relocatable object rather than fixed cabinetry, an example of loose-fit design intended to avoid future landfill.
Following construction, a wildlife garden was established using locally indigenous species sourced from regional nurseries, including many Moonah trees to re-establish woodland character. The garden now supports numerous bird species, ground frogs, & spotted pardalotes nesting in the sandy soil.
Living in the house has provided direct experience of the benefits of high-performance construction. In winter, heating demand is minimal; often the warmth generated from cooking is sufficient to maintain comfort. Large double-glazed windows maintain a constant visual connection to the garden while reinforcing thermal performance
Key Ideas:
High insulation values
Passive house consultant calculations
Life Cycle Assessment at design stage
Soil from excavation was retained on site
Care during construction
Lift & slide doors
Tilt & turn windows
HRV Unit
