Our home in Heidelberg West is a thoughtful reimagining, retrofit and extension of an existing 1950s prefab concrete residence on a 620 sqm lot. We transformed a once-leaky, cold, and mouldy house into a high-performance, inspiring sanctuary that aligns with our goal of "treading lightly" on the environment and of balancing private family living with community-focused spaces.
By reorienting the living spaces toward the north, we maximised natural light and winter solar gain, which the original house lacked. The design features a dedicated 50 sqm multipurpose studio space with a high, curved ceiling, intended for yoga, dance, and community use. We utilised a palette of natural and recycled materials, including recycled brick, lime render, wood fibre board wall insulation, recycled timber flooring, external timber cladding, and locally-sourced macrocarpa cladding for ceilings and walls.
The home is built with Passive House principles for energy efficiency, featuring a continuous airtight layer and a Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system to ensure healthy air quality and thermal stability. We used high-level R7.0 ceiling insulation and R4.0 for walls, supported by double-glazed windows and doors. The property is powered by a solar PV system, includes 10,000L of rainwater storage, and features 32 sqm of native and productive green roof, including a designated space for beehives.
