Recently I managed a quick escape to our favourite local island and was again reminded of how we can really do with less, as long as we have a roof over our head, healthy food and engaging company ( and of course million dollar views !)

 I enjoyed looking at and photographing the spaces you probably most take for granted, and that is the spaces between buildings, rather than the buildings themselves. Each space between the simple units at Geordie Bay has a unique chracteristic and captures a one off view, much like the frame of a painting.



 If you would like to see more of the 'in between' spaces of Rottnest, have a look at our Pinboard on Pinterest. And if you're lucky enough to be at Rotto yourself, try find some of your own 'framed views'. 

 

Also this month I have spent countless hours dealing with the less rewarding side of my job - reports/letters/ justifications to councils for minor variations to the countless codes and policies we must conform to , and changing plans that I know work for  solar passive  to comply with energy ratings that often work against common sense.  It makes it all that much more rewarding when you can finally turn over that first bit of soil on site and see something actually happening!

 

All that being said, I wouldn't change my job for any other!

 

  
On the  boards - new projects
Modern 'beach shack', Trigg

This new home design for a young couple is set for a triangular site just over the dune from Scarborough Beach. It is designed around a pool court that has been configured to ensure winter sun all day through despite the two storey project home to the north. Crisp white walls contrast with timber cladding and rust-finished walls to create a modern beach home for the sea loving Clients. Low maintenance, hardy planting creates a lush tropical effect and the home will be cooled by sea breezes filtered through the single depth spaces.
 
Progress updates - homes under construction
 

Glen Forrest subterranean 'wall house'.

 Our design  for a partially subterranean house in the Glen Forrest Hills is taking form and we can now start to visualize how it sits in its treed environment and see the views captured by individual windows. The entire lower ground floor has disapeared into the slope of the hill so the scale is now back to a single storey 'linear' wall from the street. The picture shows where the cascading pool will sit in front of the large north facing window wall designed to capture winter sunlight. ( the red steel frame in the photo) Also visible is the recyled brick thermal mass feature walls that sit inside the glazing to assist with temperature control.

  

 view of lap pool and north 'window wall'
  
Leschenault ' Butterfly house'
 This solar passive rural home, nicknamed by myself as the "Butterfly House" due to its plan form, is under way on its site overlooking the Leschenault inlet. Being built by Tony D'Agostino of Bunbury, the home achieves an 8 Star rating and will offer magnificent views over the inlet to the West.
  
  
 
the butterfly shape of the slab

  
view from east looking toward inlet
Feature Project of the month   
 

North Perth Modern infill

 

This month we revisit our design for a compact inner city home that is undergoing some subtle design transformations as it progresses slowly through the Planning Process. We try take Council 'limitations' and turn them into positives by improving/refining the concept to result in a better outcome for all. Sometimes we have to take these 'hidden' opportunities to re-examine our designs, and often the result is more appealing. (time is often the one thing that can transform 'good' architecture into something memorable.)
  
The major refinements to the design is in the form of the roof and fa�ade treatment which have given the home a more 'urban' (urbane?) feel in keeping with it's inner city location. The design has matured into a form that will hopefully be timeless and relevant , as well as being a very comfortable living environment with stunning city views.
  
Hopefully next newsletter can bring news of Planning approval - my Client's are itching to get the earthmovers onto that sloping site!
  
  

 view of city from upper level living room
  
The Final Word 

The place of alternative and new materials

 

 

I recently had a meeting with   informed clients and an award winning eco builder and the conversation drifted towards alternative and new building materials and systems.The clients had visited an "Eco Expo" and were awash with information and brochures of the new 'next best thing' that was going to change the way we build.The end result was a general sense of information overload.

 

It was subject that we have spent countless hours looking at, started down paths that lead to dead-ends, and often come back full-circle. But we all agreed that no one product was right for all jobs  , and that one needed a 'horses for courses' approach. I also suggested a lot of these products were really necessary due to poor design in the first place. Without the right design up front, manyof these products could be seen as 'band-aids' to achieve compliance.

 

So what materials do we use on our homes? I have used practically all of them (still no straw-bale !) but will always choose what suits the climate, skill set of the builder, budget and timetable. I also look at the embodied energy, transport distances, harmful emissions, and visual appeal. And finally (!) , I have to look at the R values and effect on energy ratings.

 

So if you know of any one product that satisfies all those categories, give me a call - it will make our job a lot easier !!!

 

 

 

 

  Until next time, 

 

... sustainably yours

 

The team at Arcologic                                                                            

You are receiving this newsletter because you have requested to be kept updated on Arcologic's news at one of our seminars or home shows, are an existing, past or prospective client, or we just think you are the sort of person who would enjoy learning more  about sustainable homes. 
 
Issue Number
14




In This Issue
on the boards
progress updates
feature project
the Final Word
Quote of the Month
" The utility of a vessel is in its hollowness"
Lao Tzu