september 2014 . issue # 23

Dear Reader,

Spring is finally in the air (or so I thought before the storms came through again !)and the wildflowers are popping up and painting our suburbs in a new palette of vibrancy. I always know when the seasons are changing by monitoring the verge garden of a home around the corner from us in Wembley which comes to life after lying dormant since the summer heat took it's toll.
  
The past month has seen us working on a variety of projects in all kinds of materials and scales, including out first strawbale design ! We have also tried our hand at some landscape design on a home we designed several years back and which has new owners wanting the garden as a series of usable 'outdoor rooms'. And in any 'spare' time I have I'm putting together the core of what will be a unique collection of pre-designed homes specifically for the sustainable market and those wanting a modern home without the uncertainty normally associated with bespoke design. More to come in the near future!


Sustainably yours,   
 john damant
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ECO PRODUCT UPDATE
- lightweight aerated concrete slab
We are currently busy on two projects where we have specified a lightweight slab for the upper floor construction. This may sound like an oxymoron, but is actually very feasible and a great solution where you want the solid feel of a concrete slab, (and some of the thermal mass properties ) without the expense and time associated with a traditional poured in- situ concrete slab.

For our lightweight slabs we are using 75 mm aerated concrete panels which are installed on a traditional timber framed floor construction. This system is a Hebel product called 'powerfloor'. For more information click here.

Some of the advantages of the system are the solid feel of a slab without the formwork and associated time  required for a poured in place slab. It will however be a thicker section than a typical 170 mm slab as it requires the timber supporting structure plus the 75 mm premade slabs, so if height restrictions are an issue it may not suit your needs. The system will also have a lower embodied energy than a traditional slab as it combines a low carbon footprint material (timber) with a higher carbon footprint material (concrete). It can also be installed by traditional trades such as carpenters, reducing the amount of trades required on site.

The pictures below are of the system in place on our Mount Pleasant home currently being constructed by Swell Homes.


the 75 mm slab sitting on timber supporting structure

the finished floor surface before floor coverings

IMAGE OF THE MONTH
- welcome to spring.
As we welcome Spring and say goodbye to winter, I include this atmospheric winter morning photo I snapped of the flying swan sculpture at Hale school.One of my favourite sculptures and definitely my most visited with all the school lifts done over the years!!
ON THE BOARDS
- Nedlands exterior design

 

We are helping the new owner of one of our previous home designs to redesign their outdoor spaces to their style and particular needs. In keeping with our belief that small lots need to have 'outdoor rooms' to maximise living opportunities, we are designing the spaces as a series of usable entertaining and play spaces while ensuring privacy and at the same time not losing the views of a park opposite.

 

Above : north courtyard with water wall, timber screening, solar pergola and citrus trees

 

Below : south garden with raised decks, screen wall to corner,and timber slatted fence

 

COOL RECYLING
- $ 10.00 chandelier !

 

Spotted at a coffee shop in Freo. Your answer to reducing your building budget and still having a chandelier.

 

PROJECT PROGRESS
- Wembley narrow lot home
Our design for a home on a narrow lot with rear access in Wembley is coming along well with the upper level framing and roof being completed. This image shows the upper floor (young adult's zone) which sits above the laneway garage and shows a common solution we utilize in many designs by doing a low thermal mass/ lightweight construction to upper floors. I really like the crispness the gutter ( Stratco 'Edge' profile) gives to the roof fascia.
  
The home is being built by Eco-Logical Building Pty Ltd.
Upper level viewed from the north courtyard
PROJECT PROGRESS
- Perry Lakes Modern
The Perry Lakes Modernism inspired home is taking shape with the first floor fit out under way and the 'skeleton' of the floating stair in place. The picture below is of the back of the house which is designed with glass 'walls' that will largely open up to the north courtyard creating in effect one large living space. To the south is a small court which will have the effect of drawing cool air through the home in summer and warm air will be expelled through the high level louvres to the north.
  
The home is being built by Dasco Developments.
View from the court garden with family room to left and open plan living/dining to the right.
PROJECT PROGRESS
- North Perth tri-level narrow lot
It's strange to be excited by a large hole in the ground, but this particular hole has been a long time in the making! This is the excavation for the lower level of our three level design for a 8 metre wide lot in North Perth, and houses the guest room, laundry and a small entertainers deck. It has taken a long time to get to this point as the Planning process was slow and tricky, but now that we have started I look forward to an exciting new build that promises a true 'inner city pad' with amazing views of the city skyline.

The home is being built by Anthony Pillinger and his  team at Swell Homes.

PROJECT PROGRESS
- Mount Pleasant Narrow lot home
Our design for a modern two storey 'pavilion' home in Mount Pleasant is powering along at a great pace thanks to some of the time saving measures mentioned above in using a lightweight slab floor.The spaces are feeling great and well proportioned, and although it is a narrow site it feels far from claustrophobic with great north vistas between rooms and the courtyard gardens. There is even space for a generous pool and a lightweight 'pool house', and plenty of room for the fruit trees and native planting the owners plan to establish.

The home is being built by Swell Homes.

the front 'pavilion' with bedrooms above and a multi use room below looking onto courtyard

the living pavilion viewed from future pool house and pool


THE FINAL WORD
- our homes come with elevations !

Project homes give real value for money, so much space for so little, plus free aircon, an overseas holiday,steak knives etc, etc. But wait, there's more - this one I spied includes an ELEVATION ! 


Until next time,
  
the green team at Arcologic


 

John Damant
0418 844662
[email protected]

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