Designing for Climate

Each project brings it's own challenges and this one was pleasurable in designing a family home on a battleaxe lot south of Mandurah that would take full advantage of solar orientation and the cooling sea breeze whilst utilising some local Australian building techniques such as Rammed Earth construction.   

The property is located on a strip of land near the coast that runs past a large inland lake offering our typical 'Fremantle Doctor' afternoon cooling breeze off the ocean as well as a significant cooling of the hot easterly breeze as it travels over the large body of water of the inland lake.  Solar Orientation dictates facing living areas north (southern hemisphere) with plenty of glass.

The Roof was designed with an overhang to prevent summer sun entering the house at all but allowing the winter sun to stream in for large parts of the day. With bedrooms facing west instead of south, due to the shape and size constraints of the lot, together with the owner we planned shading devices to be constructed after the building is finished to protect them from the harsh setting sun in summer. In winter, the shadings can be removed to allow in the winter sun.

Early on, once I had something of the shape we were interested in I was able to run some quick renders with different time and seasons set to show the effectiveness of the sun control into the living area. High glass on the north side allowed even extra sunshine and I warned the client that it might be hard to watch tv.  "That's what the theatre room is for!" I was corrected, and it was settled.

Rammed Earth walls, are a welcome feature to bring warmth to the entrance to the home.  The domination of the garage is soften by the use of a timber look door. Real timber is quite expensive and I was very impressed when I found that a timber garage door next door was really just painted steel.  They look great for much less and less to maintain.  Shading devices will be used to protect east facing windows to the main bedroom & study.  Not however what I have modelled here ! Which would allow all the sun in.  Not what I meant !

The latest modelling software allows me to enjoy the process of bringing the home to life in the virtual world and give the client a really good insight into what the home will look like.

I placed a 'feature' rammed earth wall between the dining and lounge to create casual separation but also because the wall will capture winter sun heat all day (see path pictures) and release it through the evening.  High-light casement windows are placed to capture westerly cooling ocean breezes and drag hot air out.  

The kitchen is very well appointed and includes a large pantry with extra bench space for those items that create a mess.

My earlier messing with a lower awning to protect the high rear glass proved unnecessary and the the solution became simple and effective.  The outdoor area was specifically positioned on the east side to protect the house from low eastern sun but the roof was sloped up to allow in more low winter sun.  I also like being able to see more sky!











I enjoyed the creation of this home so much I even placed a walk-through up on Youtube for the client to experience travelling through the spaces.

The client is presently discussing pricing with various builders and it does look like we have overstretched the budget which is always a risk with one-off designs. We knew we had time to explore options though.  Some of the add-on options discussed will be solar hot water heating and Solar Voltaic Cell systems to produce electricity.  Also a rain tank !   Regardless of what modifications have to be made, the basic layout should be retained and the home will be a very pleasant, year round home to live in.