Christmas is approaching like an unstoppable train, along with last minute deadlines and a myriad of things to do. I'm sure most of us are ready for a break from the busy day to day lives we lead.


For me it has been a year like no other from the point of view of great Clients and projects that have come my way. I have seldom been so busily engaged in exciting projects and am hoping the 2014 sees them all breaking ground. So to those who have entrusted what is often their biggest investment to us I say thank you sincerely for putting your trust in our abilities..

 

To all of my newsletter subscribers and their families, have a joyous Christmas and refreshing break over the New Year.

 

 

 

  
On the  boards - new projects
Narrow lot Modern, Mount Pleasant

Our latest project 'on the boards' is narrow lot design for a young family on a quiet cul de sac near the river in Mount Pleasant. The home is designed as two pavilions which are separated by a solar court allowing maximum winter solar gain where otherwise it would be difficult to achieve. We are also designing it as the 'total concept' with a pool and 'pool house' envisaged as future additions. (to create a third 'pavilion)
  

Materials are seen as a homage to past practices but applied in a modern aesthetic. Bagged brickwork will form the lower walls. while the upper floor will be reminiscent of the weatherboard structures found in the suburb in the past. We will be using a lightweight upper floor to contain costs, but it will have a topping of Hebel aerated concrete  to help with thermal mass and a feeling of solidity.

The home is being developed in conjunction with Swell Homes of Fremantle.

 
Feature Project of the month   
 

Wembley narrow lot  home - interiors

 

This month we are featuring a side of architectural practice that many designers do

not venture too far into - interior design. This is an aspect we are recently getting far more involved in, with the idea that we ideally want to offer the 'total concept' - from the house design itself, to the interiors, the 'outdoor rooms' and also the complete environmental system. We are using experts in their relevant fields to assist us, but find that as the creator of the concept we are best suited to pull all the various strands together to create the total effect.
  
In this home designed for a narrow lot in Wembley we used an innovative pre-selection service offered by the builder Eco Logical Building. Together with Kristie Hill of Colour Cube we spent a day with the Clients at the preferred suppliers choosing colours, materials and fixtures. By days end we had finalised 99% of all decisions, a task that can often take weeks if not months of going in ever wider circles. It did help to have an overall theme which was conveyed in the interior perspectives we prepared. We look forward to breaking ground on this exciting home early in 2014.
  
  
Project progress - Mullaloo Courtyard house.
   Groundworks under way !

 

  

  
  
 A compact courtyard  home on a sloping site in Mullaloo is under way with the builders Eco Logical Building starting extensive earthworks earlier this month. The garage will help form the 'base' on which the home and court (including pool) sit. The home combines heavyweight material ( brick/slab) for thermal mass with lightweight material (Colorbond and Scyon'Matrix' cladding) and a prefabricated roof system ( Bondor Solarspan) for speedier construction.
  
Project progress - Glen Forrest Hill House
   Roof topping gives final scale.

 

 

The roof is on and the final form can be envisaged in our design for a partially subterranean home in the Hills. This view shows the lap pool (foreground) which cascades over an infinity edge to a light court for the lower, partially buried bedroom floor.
 

  
 In this view you can see the transparent nature of the home with the large north  windows facing the pool court, and the living room windows and balcony also opening to the sweeping valley views to the south.
  
  
View from the south showing lower level built into the slope with living area and balcony above.
The Final Word 

Seasons Greetings and office closing dates

 

 The year is ending off on a positive note with some much anticipated Planning Approvals coming through. We look forward to a flurry of sites breaking ground in the first few months of 2014.

 

The office will be closed from  20th December to the 13th January for recharging !

 

There will be no January newsletter, so will hopefully have plenty to report in February.

 

We wish you all a great Christmas break and look forward to catching up in 2014.

 

 

 

 

  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
15




In This Issue
on the boards
projects progress
feature project
the Final Word
Quote of the Month
" It always seems impossible until its done"
Nelson Mandela