PASSIVE HOUSE, MT MARTHA

A holiday house for an extended family in Mt Martha- the design comprises 3 key elements; an elongated gable structure defining the open plan living areas, an adjoining low cuboid form housing bedrooms and utility areas, and a generous deck with slatted roof forming a wide verandah between the interior and the garden.

The structure of the passive house comprises 215mm thick structurally integrated panels to achieve thermal comfort and minimize heating and cooling needs. Thermal bridges; weak points in a building envelope allowing heat to pass, are eliminated where possible and attention is placed on ensuring airtightness around joints and openings. Strategic placement of windows further maximise solar  heat gain in Melbourne’s temperate climate. The passive strategies are complemented with a ventilation system with heat recovery.

Here the humble verandah/ sleep out of the early vernacular house is expressed as a key element, similar in width to the interior living space, it forms an exterior twin. In this way the living function of the house spills over into the garden seamlessly.

The client’s choice of charred ‘Yakisugi’ timber clads the linear forms which stretch along the length of the lot, creating a backdrop for native trees. The dark black timber is paired with the pale blond timber of the open living areas and deck.

Windows under the gable structure provide extensive views to the tree lined garden. The timber slats provide shade from the Northern sun, weaving shadows along the deck and entry, a response to the dappled ground under the trees.