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Designed with an emphasis on entertaining, the property provides solutions to the many stages of family life. Through the use of self-sufficient segregated pavilions clustered around a central courtyard, residents have the flexibility to live independently within smaller areas of the home. With a focus on natural and recycled materials, this modern residence respectfully nods to the property’s semi-rural location.
This luxury palatial house in Holt has been named house of the year at both Master Builders ACT Building Excellence Awards and HIA Housing awards.
Of high importance in this project are the spectacular views of the Brindabella Ranges to the south. In addition, rectangular elements facing North on the long side are required to maximise energy efficiency and these key considerations were implemented in the overall conceptual design.
The use of pavilions also allows for easy zoning and the consequent ability to close off wings that are not being used and to form a central protected courtyard. The client wanted to make the property as self-sufficient as possible.
The use of pavilions contributes to the overall sustainability credentials as it ensures that only the necessary areas are heated and cooled. The overall energy balance is moderated by a sophisticated climate control system.
The large property encourages entertaining of all kinds, featuring several zones that can be used in all seasons. The multi-layered pavilion style floor plan is designed around an exquisite inground pool that can be accessed via multiple living spaces. The internal views to the courtyard and pool are as important as the views to the hills. The courtyard space has been designed to be used as an outdoor room to cater for entertaining. It is protected from the wind and is a strong visual feature from many viewpoints within the dwelling.
The inside-outside aspect of modern living is emphasised by a seamless flow from living areas to courtyard spaces, using integrated flow through drain grates allowing on-grade thresholds from house access points.
Initial concept for the Clients Spring Range Road house which established the conceptual notion of a ‘pavilionised’ form enclosing a central courtyard. This concept was carried through into the subsequent developed design for the Drake Brockman site.
This above indicates the development of the pavilionised plan form which established the conceptual notion of a ‘pavilionised’ form enclosing a central courtyard.
Above are a series of early form-studies investigating how the brief could produce a group of building elements enclosing usable and protected outdoor space.
Orientation
The issue of aspect is of high importance in this particular project; there are spectacular views to the Brindabella Range mountains to the south requiring address. In addition, rectangular elements facing North on the long side have been developed to maximise energy efficiency. These key considerations were implemented in the overall conceptual design. The use of pavilions further permits easy zoning and the consequent ability to close off wings that are not being used. This contributes to the overall sustainability credentials as it ensures that only the necessary areas are heated and cooled. The overall energy balance is moderated by a sophisticated climate control system.
The inside-outside aspect of modern living is emphasised by a seamless flow from living areas to courtyard spaces. The use of integrated flow through drain grates allowing on-grade thresholds from house access points.
Autonomous Living
The home embraces a wide variety of energy efficient technology, designed with autonomy in mind. Solar technology has been installed on the property’s nearby sheds to leverage their roof space and supplement power to the residence. It also has it’s own water infrastructure allowing it to be completely autonomous.
Enegery-Efficient Heating
Steibel heat pumps used to heat water for plumbing fixtures and for hydronic in-slab heating system. This was a fully integrated system that was installed before the slab was finished. This solution runs hot water and heats the entire house, including the pool.
ThermalHEART broken aluminium architectural windows and doors maximise efficiency and comfort within the home. This system offers substantially improved insulation properties for the building, as well as greater resistance to solar heat gain.
