Designed and built for the couple who shares the love of garden, having been teachers of horticulture themselves, this is a 8.8 star house that was part of a subdivision in a suburban block within an established backyard. The house was designed amongst the resident orange and walnut trees, as well as a 100 year old stable, that was re-cladded and given new life.
The result is a light weight low impact house that sits quietly among the flora and fauna, whilst the sun is invited in to heat the polished concrete slab and reverse-brick veneer walls. The pride of place fire heater, happily, will not be used much. Other environmental credentials are the 5 kw PV system, water tanks, recycled timber kitchen bench top, and the re-used blue stone path that once was the floor of the stable.
This project (named Downsize Up(Grade) House) has recently taken out the much coveted 2017 Sustainability Award for New Single Dwelling.
http://www.sustainablebuildingawards.com.au/category/single-dwelling-new/