Project description
Using this project as a conversation starter for clients, the Architect/owner designed this development to be an exemplar of sustainable, high quality medium density living. The design brief was to situate two townhouses on a narrow 300sqm site, one for the owners to live in and one to keep as an investment. Both townhouses to have generous interior spaces which open up to private outdoor areas, large storage, and two carparks. Selecting materials which were durable and low maintenance were critical decisions in establishing a viable longterm financial investment. The main challenge was working within the tight budget whilst meeting the brief, and responding to the eclectic surroundings of this center city site.
Taking inspiration from the alpine environment which the owners have an affinity for, the solution was to provide a building that, like a high country hut, would have a tough exterior and a warm and inviting interior. The theme that the building would wear in over time, not out, was a constant consideration. Every element of the building has a purpose and, like a hut, everything not essential was excluded.
To stay true to this theme, all design detailing was restrained, highly considered and consistent throughout, with discipline shown in form and planning The use of a rainscreen and minimalist interior detailing gives the crisp lines of material junctions and manipulates the scale of the building, making all spaces feel refined and larger than they are. All fences and sheds were built in folded Corten steel matching the exterior of the building while keeping the elegant minimalist detailing.
Privacy is maintained through careful positioning of windows and good acoustic detailing to reduce the feeling of living in an attached townhouse. The use of skylights instead of windows on the first floor allows privacy, as well as directing all sightlines skyward, further promoting the feel of a secluded space in the Central City.
As this is located on a central city site, where the building should outlive the financial viability of the site as low rise residential complex, the foundation and detailing of the connection between the two units allows for the buildings to be detached, lifted up and easily removed off site for future use elsewhere.
The form, scale and materiality were designed to fit well within the streetscape and wider urban context by acting as a sympathetic transition between the two existing buildings of differing styles.
Sustainability
Environmental sustainability, including carbon footprint, and energy efficiency were at the forefront of every decision made. This was approached through reduced resource use, exemplar thermal performance and adaptability through an enhanced life span of the structure.
To achieve the above, the Architect designed a foundation system to allow the building to be removed if needed, as well as being easily releveled after an earthquake. The building can also be adapted throughout it’s life, being easily modified into a four bedroom, two living, single dwelling, at only 148 sqm or subdivided.
The building form and structure were reduced to a minimum with care taken in only using the exact materials required and nothing extra. For example, all studs were to a minimum number and thermal bridging such as dwangs/noggin were removed. The planning was designed to be as close to a sphere as possible, where it provides the maximum internal volume compared to the external envelope. The should/pitch height to the roof was reduce to a minimum and skylights placed where extra head height is required and the full voume of the building it utilised for a feeling of generosity of space.
The health and comfort of the occupants was addressed with super-insulated airtight construction with fibreglass windows, heated through passive solar gain and ventilated with a combination of heat recovery technology and passive stack venting. An incredibly healthy home with a power bill of $35 p/m.
Cross Laminated Timber was chosen for its fast grown locally sourced timber and speed of construction. Being a large carbon sink, this greatly reduces the carbon footprint of the building. Where possible, all other products were locally sourced and/or are of environmentally sensitive materials, for example the pine and macrocarpa is sustainably sourced NZ grown and the oils for all finishes are natural.
Project description
Using this project as a conversation starter for clients, the Architect/owner designed this development to be an exemplar of sustainable, high quality medium density living. The design brief was to situate two townhouses on a narrow 300sqm site, one for the owners to live in and one to keep as an investment. Both townhouses to have generous interior spaces which open up to private outdoor areas, large storage, and two carparks. Selecting materials which were durable and low maintenance were critical decisions in establishing a viable longterm financial investment. The main challenge was working within the tight budget whilst meeting the brief, and responding to the eclectic surroundings of this center city site.
Taking inspiration from the alpine environment which the owners have an affinity for, the solution was to provide a building that, like a high country hut, would have a tough exterior and a warm and inviting interior. The theme that the building would wear in over time, not out, was a constant consideration. Every element of the building has a purpose and, like a hut, everything not essential was excluded.
To stay true to this theme, all design detailing was restrained, highly considered and consistent throughout, with discipline shown in form and planning The use of a rainscreen and minimalist interior detailing gives the crisp lines of material junctions and manipulates the scale of the building, making all spaces feel refined and larger than they are. All fences and sheds were built in folded Corten steel matching the exterior of the building while keeping the elegant minimalist detailing.
Privacy is maintained through careful positioning of windows and good acoustic detailing to reduce the feeling of living in an attached townhouse. The use of skylights instead of windows on the first floor allows privacy, as well as directing all sightlines skyward, further promoting the feel of a secluded space in the Central City.
As this is located on a central city site, where the building should outlive the financial viability of the site as low rise residential complex, the foundation and detailing of the connection between the two units allows for the buildings to be detached, lifted up and easily removed off site for future use elsewhere.
The form, scale and materiality were designed to fit well within the streetscape and wider urban context by acting as a sympathetic transition between the two existing buildings of differing styles.
Sustainability
Environmental sustainability, including carbon footprint, and energy efficiency were at the forefront of every decision made. This was approached through reduced resource use, exemplar thermal performance and adaptability through an enhanced life span of the structure.
To achieve the above, the Architect designed a foundation system to allow the building to be removed if needed, as well as being easily releveled after an earthquake. The building can also be adapted throughout it’s life, being easily modified into a four bedroom, two living, single dwelling, at only 148 sqm or subdivided.
The building form and structure were reduced to a minimum with care taken in only using the exact materials required and nothing extra. For example, all studs were to a minimum number and thermal bridging such as dwangs/noggin were removed. The planning was designed to be as close to a sphere as possible, where it provides the maximum internal volume compared to the external envelope. The should/pitch height to the roof was reduce to a minimum and skylights placed where extra head height is required and the full voume of the building it utilised for a feeling of generosity of space.
The health and comfort of the occupants was addressed with super-insulated airtight construction with fibreglass windows, heated through passive solar gain and ventilated with a combination of heat recovery technology and passive stack venting. An incredibly healthy home with a power bill of $35 p/m.
Cross Laminated Timber was chosen for its fast grown locally sourced timber and speed of construction. Being a large carbon sink, this greatly reduces the carbon footprint of the building. Where possible, all other products were locally sourced and/or are of environmentally sensitive materials, for example the pine and macrocarpa is sustainably sourced NZ grown and the oils for all finishes are natural.
Project description
Using this project as a conversation starter for clients, the Architect/owner designed this development to be an exemplar of sustainable, high quality medium density living. The design brief was to situate two townhouses on a narrow 300sqm site, one for the owners to live in and one to keep as an investment. Both townhouses to have generous interior spaces which open up to private outdoor areas, large storage, and two carparks. Selecting materials which were durable and low maintenance were critical decisions in establishing a viable longterm financial investment. The main challenge was working within the tight budget whilst meeting the brief, and responding to the eclectic surroundings of this center city site.
Taking inspiration from the alpine environment which the owners have an affinity for, the solution was to provide a building that, like a high country hut, would have a tough exterior and a warm and inviting interior. The theme that the building would wear in over time, not out, was a constant consideration. Every element of the building has a purpose and, like a hut, everything not essential was excluded.
To stay true to this theme, all design detailing was restrained, highly considered and consistent throughout, with discipline shown in form and planning The use of a rainscreen and minimalist interior detailing gives the crisp lines of material junctions and manipulates the scale of the building, making all spaces feel refined and larger than they are. All fences and sheds were built in folded Corten steel matching the exterior of the building while keeping the elegant minimalist detailing.
Privacy is maintained through careful positioning of windows and good acoustic detailing to reduce the feeling of living in an attached townhouse. The use of skylights instead of windows on the first floor allows privacy, as well as directing all sightlines skyward, further promoting the feel of a secluded space in the Central City.
As this is located on a central city site, where the building should outlive the financial viability of the site as low rise residential complex, the foundation and detailing of the connection between the two units allows for the buildings to be detached, lifted up and easily removed off site for future use elsewhere.
The form, scale and materiality were designed to fit well within the streetscape and wider urban context by acting as a sympathetic transition between the two existing buildings of differing styles.
Sustainability
Environmental sustainability, including carbon footprint, and energy efficiency were at the forefront of every decision made. This was approached through reduced resource use, exemplar thermal performance and adaptability through an enhanced life span of the structure.
To achieve the above, the Architect designed a foundation system to allow the building to be removed if needed, as well as being easily releveled after an earthquake. The building can also be adapted throughout it’s life, being easily modified into a four bedroom, two living, single dwelling, at only 148 sqm or subdivided.
The building form and structure were reduced to a minimum with care taken in only using the exact materials required and nothing extra. For example, all studs were to a minimum number and thermal bridging such as dwangs/noggin were removed. The planning was designed to be as close to a sphere as possible, where it provides the maximum internal volume compared to the external envelope. The should/pitch height to the roof was reduce to a minimum and skylights placed where extra head height is required and the full voume of the building it utilised for a feeling of generosity of space.
The health and comfort of the occupants was addressed with super-insulated airtight construction with fibreglass windows, heated through passive solar gain and ventilated with a combination of heat recovery technology and passive stack venting. An incredibly healthy home with a power bill of $35 p/m.
Cross Laminated Timber was chosen for its fast grown locally sourced timber and speed of construction. Being a large carbon sink, this greatly reduces the carbon footprint of the building. Where possible, all other products were locally sourced and/or are of environmentally sensitive materials, for example the pine and macrocarpa is sustainably sourced NZ grown and the oils for all finishes are natural.
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