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Sustainable Home, Canberra

Built on a vacant ‘Mr. Fluffy’ block, we concieved this new home as a series of light-filled spaces built around a spine of rammed earth. The heavy thermal mass of the rammed earth cocoons the living areas and the entry. This regulates humidity and temperature inside. The home has achieved an energy rating of 8.8 stars. The temperature remains stable between 20-22 degrees though both summer and winter.
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Energy Efficient Architecture

The winter sun warms living areas and kids’ bedrooms, looking north over the rooftops of Waramanga. The owners’ love of timber is visible in the finely crafted staircase and joinery. It is well insulated, including pro-clima wrapping to minimise drafts and air leakage. With a large north-facing deck and pergola of recycled timber and beams, the sun pours in during winter. The eaves and pergola prevent the sun entering during summer, making it comfortable year-round.
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The house is all-electric with a 9.6kW solar system and 9kw LGchem battery system. It is energy positive for all but the coldest months. Heating is via solar heat pump hydronic heating in the insulated slab. The insulation and design means there is no heating system needed upstairs. Hot water comes from an efficient heat-pump to minimise energy use. Ceiling fans cool the living areas and bedrooms. Large doors and windows give good cross-ventilation to purge hot air.The double-height entry acts as a thermal chimney, venting warm air as it rises from the living areas. Triple-glazed composite windows complete the energy efficient design.
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Canberra Materiality

A mix of modern materials with recycled red bricks combine a contemporary palette with iconic Canberran style. The recycled red brick pays homage to the existing suburban fabric. The home fits in, while enjoying improved environmental performance compared to its mid-century neighbours. This home is smart, comfortable and ready for the 21st century.

Contractors:

 

Building Features:

  • Rammed earth walling internally
  • Recycled bricks and recycled timber
  • Triple-glazed Aluminium-Timber composite Döpfner Windows from Laros Technologies
  • Intello-plus internal wall membrane
  • Hydronic in-slab heating
  • 9.6kW Grid-feed solar photovoltaic system
  • 2500L PolyTank rainwater storage
  • Kitchen cabinet design to minimise dust collection
  • Cross flow ventilation
  • Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
  • Recycled timber pergola from Thor’s Hammer

 

Australian Homestead Living Room by Architecture Republic

Rammed Earth Entry

Craftsmanship and thermal efficiency combine in this double-height entry space. Acting as a thermal chimney, it also showcases the owners’ love for timber joinery and custom detailing. The rammed earth wall acts as a tactile guidepost, leading the visitor through to the rooms beyond.

Storage, space and function

The kitchen balances large amounts of storage with generous circulation and preparation space. A home office is hidden behind sleek cabinetry. Laundry, pantry and wine storage nestle in the thermally-stable heart of the home, behind rammed earth walls. The kitchen is the social hub of the house, with connection to all living areas, including the outdoor deck.

Floor Plan by Architecture Republic, Australia
Australian Homestead Rammed Earth Colorbond by Architecture Republic

Indoor/Outdoor Living

The generous north-facing triple-glazed slider connects onto the adjacent outdoor living area. This effectively doubles the size of the living room and maximising solar gains in wintertime.

Timber Joinery

The house features custom timber joinery and recycled timber – a mix of the owner’s craftsmanship and the builders’. The timber and rammed earth bring warmth and texture to the otherwise minimalist palette.

Australian Homestead Garden by Architecture Republic
Timber Joinery in the stairwell of our Rammed Earth House project, Canberra. Rammed earth wal can be seen behind timber and red front door beyond that. Pendant glows downstairs.
Entry foyer with timber staircase and rammed earth walls. Red front door also visible.
Entry foyer as seen from downstairs. Front door is open.
Entry porch with recycled brick walls and red front door.
Recycled brick and colorbond house in Canberra by Architecture Republic
Small bathroom with green patterned feature tiles on the far wall.
Kitchen designed by Architecture Republic in Canberra, ACT.
Detail of kitchen with timber and black cabinetry, white benchtops and a pendant hanging in the foreground.
Detail of rammed earth wall - texture is beautiful but also rock hard, more like concrete than sandstone.
Kitchen with timber and black cabinetry. Rammed earth wall beside.
Kitchen with timber and black cabinetry. A window over the bench and two pendants hang from the ceiling. Large glass door to the side.
Indoor/Outdoor living areas showing deck and colourbond/brick walls.
Open plan Living, Dining and Kitchen space. Large sliding doors open onto the garden.
Open plan kitchen and dining room with pendants hanging above and rammed earth wall on far side of room. A door is open in the rammed earth and there are pantry items on shelves through there.
Entry to storage room with rammed earth wall and handrail in the foreground.
Main entry with Colorbond and Recycled Bricks. Front door is open.
Upstairs bedroom with bed and desk and large windows overlooking leafy canberra suburbs.
Timber Joinery in the stairwell of our Rammed Earth House project, Canberra. Rammed earth wal can be seen behind timber and red front door beyond that.
Walk-in robe with storage on either side. Central access through to entryway and staircase up.

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