We moved to Dulwich Hill 8 years ago to be closer to family. The existing house had lovely original features, but an earlier renovation had resulted in a poor layout, with a pokey galley-style kitchen and a second bathroom opening directly onto the sunny, rear living space. The laundry was large but located externally near a wasted, dogleg courtyard.
We did not need much more space but wanted a better connection to the backyard and an improved home that was warmer in winter and cooler in summer. We also wanted a more spacious kitchen and casual living area, an internal laundry and a design that met the requirements for an all-electric home. Most importantly, we wanted our home to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
We now have a living space with a new kitchen, bathroom, laundry and an outdoor, covered space, with a minimal increase in footprint, and much-improved circulation, usability and connection to the backyard.
Tall northern windows for maximum light are shaded in summer by a generous roof overhang whilst allowing warm winter sun. Our large, new covered deck provides shading from the western sun, as does the retention of our backyard liquid amber which ensures shade in summer and plenty of sun in winter.
Our services are all on the southern side – bathrooms, laundry. kitchen, rainwater tanks and the hot water heat pump. The roof was designed for the best solution to connect to a rainwater tank, provide shading and accommodate solar.
Since completing our renovation at the end of 2021 we have hardly ever used the AC and seldom even use the fans. Our home is incredibly comfortable, especially with the insulation provided by the hempcrete walls, and we love sitting and looking out into the garden.
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