PassivCourtyard 2024

PassivCourtyard

This home breaks all the passivhaus rules; poor orientation, sprawling form, complex roofs, too much volume; yet it works like a charm! It is a demonstration of passivhaus at its best, performance driven design showing that, in the right hands, passivhaus is a flexible, adaptable standard that can deliver healthy, comfortable buildings on ‘imperfect’ sites.

This home replaces a defunct weatherboard cottage that was well past its use by date. Once renovation was ruled out, the challenge of north to the street and a sloping block to the south was wholeheartedly embraced.

A productive mango tree in the rear yard was retained, further shaping the home and its response to the site. A visual connection to the rear garden is balanced with a north facing courtyard that provides a sheltered space for eating.

The elongated plan of the home is connected by an extensive green roof between the two gable forms, a response to the traditions of the area, while balancing the geometric challenges of steeply pitched roofs and self-shading. These roofs are organised internally underneath a curving plywood ceiling that draws the visitor towards the rear of the home.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2024
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Heat recovery ventilation system
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Split system airconditioner
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Low flow shower heads
      Drip irrigation
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Landscape tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 3500
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Eaves
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Internal walls
      External walls

    • Other Insulation Methods:
    • slab edge insulation
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Insulated panels
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • 5
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – polyester
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • 2
    • External Walls Rating:
    • 2.5 (continuous)
    • External Walls Type:
    • PIR
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 10
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 196
    • BAL Rating
    • No BAL rating requirements at time of construction
    • Roof
    • Green roof
      Insulated panel (sandwich panels)
    • Wall Materials
    • Lightweight construction (timber frame)
    • Window and Door Types
    • Sliding windows/doors
      Tilt and turn
      Triple glazing
    • Universal Design Features
    • 100cm minimum door opening width
      Flush thresholds (no lip) to all external doors
      Hobless showers
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 4
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Edible garden
      Green roof
      Local indigenous plants
      Native plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Automated ventilation system
      Cross flow ventilation
      Heat recovery ventilation (HRV)
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      VOC free paints/sealer/varnish
Location
Strathfield South NSW 2136
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Distinct Building
    • Designer
    • Envirotecture

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