architecture - interiors - sustainability
project: sustainable warehouse conversion Newtown
This project was a great opportunity to explore many creative ideas as well as developing important sustainability techniques. The house is owned by a heritage architect and cabinet maker / teacher who collaborated with us on the project and made most of the unusual and beautiful joinery. The design makes reference to nautical ideas both literally (a boat used as an island bench) and in more abstract ways. The owners loved the open warehouse feel but wanted to be able to separate the rooms.
description
Double glazed doors and windows were specified and a central light void naturally lights the middle of the house. This void also has opening vents at the top which when open create a chimney effect, expelling hot air and naturally ventilating the bathroom.
The internal doors were made from reused door leaves and recycled door jambs. A solar hot water heater was installed and provision made for future photo voltaic cells. We used large sliding and pivot doors to allow the house to be divided and then opened up again by sliding the doors into concealed pockets. This recreates the spacious feel of a warehouse.
Some sustainability techniques include: water tanks under the house, reuse of existing timber from walls and roof, use of sustainably harvested timber F.S.C. certified. All joinery plywood was also made from F.S.C. timber. A roof deck was designed to hover above a curved roof / ceiling which forms a large north facing clerestory window bringing winter sun into the house.