WA Building Design of the Year 2022/ New House $1,000,001 - $2M (West Coast) Residential Rural Design (West Coast): John Damant, Arcologic Design, Wing House

WINNER

New House $1,000,001 - $2M (West Coast) Residential Rural Design (West Coast) Building Design of The Year (West Coast)

Designer: John Damant, Arcologic Design Location: Margaret River Web: arcologic.com.au Builder: Aubade Construction Energy Assessor: Ecorate WA Photographer: Matthew Moyes

The Judges said

The entry threshold is centered in the beginning of the ‘wing’ with the private spaces opening up to rear gardens nestled in the surrounding bushland. This project takes rural living to a whole new level. A design that reflects its rural setting, the use of natural materials, opening to the aspect and use of dividing partitions to create privacy. A great technical outcome. Looking from above, inside or outside this design gives pleasure. Well thought out and integrated into its natural environment.

WINNER

New House $1,000,001 - $2M (West Coast) Residential Rural Design (West Coast)

Project Brief

The owners procured a forested subdivision to affect a ‘tree change’ for their retirement. They wanted a large home for visiting family and friends with zoned areas so each group could still have their privacy when staying. The building envelope was chosen as a clearing in the trees that could still satisfy BAL requirements, whilst ensuring space to the north for solar passive design. The site had a slope to the north-west which catered for a split-level design, whilst keeping the living areas and main bedroom on the entry level for future accessibility requirements. The home was designed with two off set ‘wings’, separated by the entry and alfresco with each wing meeting the requirements for zoning. The skillion roof sweeps up to the north, maximising solar gain, giving the impression of a bird about to take flight (hence the moniker “wing house”). The northern aspect is characterised by extensive glazing with views over the garden towards the forest whilst ensuring maximum solar gain in winter. The southern aspect has an ‘embracing wall’ that gives shelter from cold winter winds and adds privacy from the entry. Picture windows were installed to the east and west of the home creating resort style bathrooms that overlook the trees. The home had to be designed to meet BAL 29 requirements requiring minimal tree removal due to the location of the building envelope.

The skillion roof sweeps up to the north to maximise solar gain, which also gives the impression of a bird about to take flight

Sustainability Considerations

The home is designed to solar passive principles to minimise additional heating and cooling requirements. With single depth rooms and large glazed openings to the north, the home can make full use of the winter sun for warming and cooling southerly breezes for summer. Fans in all rooms and a feature slow combustion fire case is all the supplementary heating and cooling required. Photovoltaics provide additional energy requirements for the home while waterwise fittings and a 70,000-litre rainwater tank supplement water conservation. An ATU system provides for greywater re-use.

Extensive glazing ensures maximum solar gain in winter and beautiful views.