The aim was to build a highly efficient passive solar home as a spec home for prospective clients. Innovative and experimental elements were included in the project to optimise passive heating, cooling and lighting, and minimise energy and water consumption. Demonstrating that environmentally sensitive design can be visually pleasing, comfortable and completely liveable was also a key motivation in completing the project.
DESIGN DESCRIPTION
Twilight Brae is nestled into its own space, bordered on three sides by natural Wandoo bushland, overlooking Avon Valley pastures in the distance. The elevated parasol roof is intended to lend the image of wings, allowing the body of the house to settle and step lightly onto the landscape. The project was to incorporate both experimental and peak practice passive solar design. Built as a prefabricated, modular spec home by its owners and builders, it was designed as a weekender that could easily be added to for a more permanent home.
To settle into its surroundings and provide a space for its owners to live connected with the outside, a natural colour palette of brown, green and orange inside replicates the colours externally. Natural external elements of rough sawn ply and recycled jarrah balance the engineered components of steel and glass. A large bank of northern facing glazing opens to the vista and sliding doors open to extend the living space to the front deck.
Eastern and western louvres open to extend the eye, invite cooling south-westerly breezes to strip heat from the internal thermal mass and act to even out diurnal temperatures. North facing solar access allows for passive heating in the cooler months, with the parasol roof overhang preventing direct sunlight in summer. Attention to detail in draught proofing, high insulation throughout the home and thermally broken double glazing prevents unwanted heat transfer. The innovative insulated elevated concrete floor, with 60 per cent recycled fly ash, acts as the internal thermal mass. Water and energy saving devices are fitted throughout the home, and a 1.56 kW grid connected system provides the potential for the property to produce a net gain in electricity.
The home was prefabricated to 80 per cent completion prior to site - allowing for improved quality control measures and less waste, use of energy and water, transport to and from site and materials. Prefabrication also allowed for minimal site impacts and enabled natural contours of the land to remain undisturbed and protected with thick layers of mulch. Two large modules, front and rear decking and parasol roof were all prefabricated and connected on site to completion within an approximate of four weeks.
ACCOLADES
HIA National GreenSmart Spec Home,Award 2012
HIA National GreenSmart Home of the Year, Finalist 2012
HIA (WA) GreenSmart Spec Home, Award 2012
HIA (WA) GreenSmart Transportable/Kit Home Award 2012
Master Builders Association (WA) Excellence in Construction Awards for Energy Efficiency, Merit 2012
PRODUCTS
CORRUGATED IRON
BLUESCOPE STEEL, ZINCALUME
EXTERNAL ROUGHSAWN PLY
CARTER HOLT HARVEY
FRONT DECK
RECYCLED JARRAH
INTERNAL HALLWAY
RECYCLED TIMBER COMPANY
INSULATION
FLETCHER INSULATION, FIBREGLASS BATTS, INSULBUBBLE REFLECTED INSULATION VAPOUR BARRIER
THERMALLY BROKEN DOUBLE GLAZING
DOUBLE GLAZING AUSTRALIASIA
DETENTION SCREENS
AUSTRALIAN SCREEN & DOOR
WHOLESALERS FITTED TO CEDAR LOUVRES
TREATED CEDAR
LOUVRES CLARKE AGENCIES
INTERNAL CABINTERY
CRAIG WALTERS FURNITURE DESIGN
RAILING FOR FRONT VERANDAH
MIAMI STAINLESS
RAINFALL TANKS
GALVANISED WATER TANKS
GRUNDFOS VARIABLE SPEED PUMP
UNDERSINK TANK (WATER FILTER)
PSI WATER FILTER SERVICES 300UV 3 STAGE
INTERNAL WALLS
MATRIX PAPAYA TILE, HOOP PINE PLY
CROSBY TILES
TILES
ATTICA TILES
ORIGINAL CERAMICS
MIZU BATHROOM FITTINGS
REECE HVAC
FAN & LIGHT
LAWRENCE & HANSON
INTERNAL DOOR FURNITURE
LOCKWOOD AUSTRALIA, DAINTREE DOOR FURNITURE
CEILING FANS
FUTURA ECO 52 INCH 4 BLADE FANS
LIGHTING
MEGAMAN LEDLUX LEDS GX53 9W FLUOROS
PV CELLS
UNLIMITED SOLAR SUNTECH 195W 1.56KW SYSTEM
INVERTER
UNLIMITED SOLAR SUNNBOY 1700 INVERTER
WASTE RECYCLING SYSTEM
BIOLYTIX
G&R STAINLESS STEEL
TOILET SUITE
CAROMA, OPAL 2000 SMARTFLUSH
