Garland House
The project was a knock down and re-build and the house was designed for a family with older teenagers. The important requirements for the design were high energy efficiency, north orientation for all living areas and bedrooms, very good separation between the master bed and other bedrooms, and a single level house that sits well with the site.
The site slopes away from the street, and the house is a series of pavilions stepping with the natural ground level, from the entry to the main living area, and then down to the bedroom wing. The backbone of the front pavilion is a rock wall, which is oriented 15 degrees to the east of north. The roof is raked to the north and its thin edge floats above the rock wall. The Carport has direct access off Raymond Street, and the entry sits between the carport wall and rock wall, which leads you into the main living spaces. All external living areas face north.
The internal rock wall is used to increase thermal mass, along with the insulated floor slab which has in-slab hydronic heating. The heating uses an electric, heat-pump boiler unit with power offset by solar PV system. Heat-pump electric water heater. Hydronic system also used for cooling purposes. Thermal break aluminium frame windows and glazed doors throughout, with high level windows which bring north light to the rear of the living areas and bedrooms.
