Narrabundahaus 2023

House Notes – Narrabundahaus

Narrabundahaus presents an innovative and well-considered floorplan as a model for contemporary and sustainable living and working. The long-life-loose-fit approach to planning provides a home office and multipurpose space that also functions as a guest bedroom. The attached greenhouse is a biophilic sanctuary that provides enhanced amenity for living and/or gardening throughout Canberra’s often extreme seasons.

The home has been formally certified to meet the stringent requirements of the ‘Passivhaus Plus’ building standard. It provides best practice thermal comfort and indoor air quality, while also being highly energy efficient. It exceeds the standard Passivhaus class because of the modest solar system which offsets the electricity imported from the grid. The reuse of recycled ‘Canberra Red’ bricks salvaged from the original cottage helps to further lower the carbon footprint, as well as delivering a contemporary design response to its suburban inner south context.

Narrabundahaus sets a high bar for design quality and sustainability, providing its occupants with flexibility to suit their changing requirements, and true long term climate resilience.

Photography by Ben King.