Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects’ Mosman Bay House project re-introduces and upcycles materials from the original house.

Expressive timber elements filter sun, provide privacy and create daylight. The house was designed for ease of recycling at the end of its 'useful' life and is future proofed with a flexible end space that may act as a 'granny flat' or guesthouse with access via an internal ramp and adapt to future requirements.

All aspects of the design implement a holistic understanding of the Perth climate. The building is oriented north to maximise winter sun heat gain, and the upper level shifts north to create a verandah and limit heat load to the lower levels. It is shaped to vary the extent of direct winter light in to specific rooms, study spaces have less direct sun to reduce screen glare.

Cooling ponds are placed along the south, in shaded areas to reduce evaporation, and the adjacent collarbone wall is shaped to increase the velocity of wind and subtle rotational movement to improve airflow across the ponds.

Landscaping is 90 per cent native, and drought tolerant. A fernery is placed adjacent to study and main bathroom to reflect green light and create a dense cool environment.

The design commences with the minimisation of energy and water consumption through core design. It maximises passive winter heat gain and cross ventilation possibilities.

All rooms are adequately naturally lit. Night time lighting is provided by pockets of specific spaces that are adequately lit for the task in lieu of blanket and over-lit spaces.

All fixtures and fittings are low water and energy consumption.

KEY INITIATIVES

  • Ground level spaces are compartmentalised to allow easy heating and cooling and individual control. Fans are provided to the ground level spaces for additional cooling. There is no air conditioning to these spaces
  • A south facing gallery space extends the length of the house allowing southwest winds to filter through the entire house. A series of individual cooling ponds are placed adjacent to each internal door allowing individual control of cooling
  • The southwest winds are funnelled by the sculptured and curved profile of the rear wall, increasing the velocity of the winds. The wind flowing over the pond is naturally cooled
  • The sculptured form also allows natural light in to this southern space heating the walls and waxed concrete floor
  • Elements are screw fixed and materials capable of significant re-use in the future.
  • Roof water catchment is maximised by the long roof form
  • Applied finishes are minimised to reduce ongoing maintenance
  • The east west orientation maximises the capacity for passive heat gain from the north
  • The upper level shifts further north to create a continuous veranda while allowing the southern neighbour to still enjoy winter sun
  • The embodied energy of all materials was carefully accessed
  • Maximisation of recycled materials for cladding, flooring, structure, screens, gates, door frames, cappings
  • The upper level includes north facing highlight windows designed to allow winter sun passive heat gain
  • The upper level is clad in lapped and oiled recycled jarrah and left to weather naturally over time minimising ongoing maintenance
  • 25,000 Litre Water storage tanks supplying the laundry and garden
  • Grey water recycling for the wc's
  • 3KW PV cells
  • Passive heat gain
  • Dark floor surfaces for extra heat gain in winter
  • Natural finishes to reduce ongoing maintenance
  • Use of white low voc paint to increase light reflection
  • Use of reflective surfaces to increase light
  • Low Voc paints and cabinet materials
  • Plantation timbers and certified timbers including plywood
  • Native garden, drought tolerant species
  • Elevated garden designed to spread over the timber and provide additional shade (and fragrance)
  • LED light fittings and low water consumption fittings
  • Light coloured materials on the roof and masonry walls to reduce heat gain
  • Minimising the number of bathrooms