Butterfly
Architecture Residential Rutherglen, Australia
17 Images
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1. approach at night photo by Derek Swallwell south facing openings are small to provide framed views 1500 px 736 px 389 KB Print - Low res only |
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2. north facade photo by Derek Swallwell northern aspect to allow the winter sun in 3254 px 1593 px 5 MB Print - Low res only |
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3. west facade photo by Derek Swallwell a solid wall to protect from he sun 1904 px 2417 px 4 MB Print - Low res only |
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4. hall photo by Dan Stainsby 1037 px 1549 px 789 KB Print - Low res only |
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5. view into hall photo by Derek Swallwell winter sun shines deep into the lounge room 2126 px 2587 px 4 MB Print - Low res only |
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6. kitchen photo by Dan Stainsby 3633 px 2592 px 9 MB A4 print |
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7. lounge photo by Dan Stainsby keep it simple 3820 px 2592 px 12 MB A4 print |
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8. upstairs study photo by Derek Swallwell metal ceilings reflect sunlight back into the room 2126 px 2620 px 5 MB Print - Low res only |
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9. baywindow photo by Derek Swallwell a baywindow upstairs with views over the national park 803 px 1000 px 481 KB Print - Low res only |
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10. master bedroom wall photo by Derek Swallwell 811 px 1000 px 405 KB Print - Low res only |
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11. west facade photo by Derek Swallwell 1969 px 2493 px 6 MB Print - Low res only |
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12. north east corner photo by Derek Swallwell overhangs provide shading where and when required 2480 px 1969 px 5 MB Print - Low res only |
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13. ground floor plan passive solar design applied with the right orientation, zoning and breezeways 1191 px 842 px 765 KB Print - Low res only |
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14. first floor plan the first floor is a retreat allowing extensive views over a national park 1191 px 842 px 830 KB Print - Low res only |
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15. elevations elevations were developed to respond to sunlight access 2384 px 1684 px 2 MB Print - Low res only |
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16. elevations and section a double height space controls heat and air flow 2384 px 1684 px 2 MB Print - Low res only |
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17. diagrams passive solar design concepts applied 1319 px 1816 px 236 KB Print - Low res only |
Description
This rammed earth house was my first completed project and is like an old friend that you always come back to. It lives in north east Victoria on a rural site with no town services. It was our first significant sustainable project applying environmentally sustainable design principles throughout.
The response to the harsh climatic conditions was a simple and compact building that uses innovative materials with good thermal properties, has effective solar control and has water collection and water treatment on site. Building elements were standardised to meet the tight budget and time constraints as well as to reduce wastage during construction. The roof was prefabricated allowing large, column free ceilings and reduced construction times on site. The residence has a single heater, and does not have to rely on air conditioning for thermal comfort. The household uses rainwater only and 110,000 L tanks formed an integral part of the design.
Questions and Answers
What was the brief?
The brief was for a rural home for a busy family with three children working and studying in a large town nearby. They bought a rural block with no town services and intended to build a low impact home with the earth found on the site.
What were the key challenges?
The block had no services, the client not enough money, I had no experience and the earth was not suitable.
What were the solutions?
I was very keen to design and build a house with these conditions. It meant to go to first principles. I knew that a simple layout based on passive solar design principles would work: orientation, zoning, sun control, airflow, thermal mass and insulation. Detailing had to be simple and not overworked to make teh house cost efficient to build. This is all self-evident in teh home as it presents itself now. It works, it fitsonto the site and it ages nicley like an old friend.
Details
| Project size | 160 m2 |
| Completion date | 2005 |
| Building levels | 2 |
Project team
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Steffen Welsch | |
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Steffen Welsch Architects | Design Architect |