Passive solar design principles meet contemporary aesthetics – Northcote

Our clients were seeking to rebuild their home to create a low-maintenance, contemporary residence on their much-loved inner suburban plot. They wanted to prioritise the abundant natural light and achieve a modern version of a traditional home that seamlessly integrated with the existing street aesthetic.

They also wanted to improve the energy efficiency of their home. As such, the house is all electric and there is an evaporative air conditioning system on the roof that provides heating and cooling to all spaces. The home also excels in passive solar design principles, ensuring natural light and ventilation in all spaces. Service spaces are thoughtfully positioned along the shaded southern side of the house, with main living spaces oriented towards the north. Further, the internal dark brick walls along the entry corridor are not only visually attractive but create internal thermal mass to improve the energy performance of the house.

Dark brick is also a feature of the exterior of the home, which provides a stark contrast to the timber cladding and metal elements, especially on the curved corners, where narrower cladding boards were used to create tight curves.

Inside the home, the design incorporates a separation between the parents' wing and the children’s wing, to ensure privacy and flexibility. The children's bedrooms were also designed to adapt to changing needs over time and, like the rest of the home, provide ample storage spaces.

This home is ideally suited for families with young children. It offers privacy and flexible spaces, such as the transition between internal and external spaces leading to the main private courtyard, that can adapt to evolving family needs.

• low-maintenance, contemporary residence

• seamless integration with existing street aesthetic

• passive solar design principles and improved energy performance

• liveable design that can adapt to evolving family needs