New House $1,000,001 - $2M (East Coast): Darrin Albert Sketch Building Design, Peak House

WINNER

New House $1,000,001 - $2M (East Coast)

Designer: Darrin Albert, Sketch Building Design Location: Elsternwick Web: sketchbuildingdesign.com.au Builder: Sharp Building Innovations Energy Assessor: Agincourt Energy Raters Photographer: Dana Belgian Photography Peak House presents a restrained grey palette of venetian render over solid brick veneer walls.

The Judges said

The simple material palette, and simple “gabled” form respect the charming Elsternwick neighbourhood. Distinctive and well-considered, this home transits from a sharp well-defined standout facade to a well-composed individual space where each person is considered in its form and function

Project Brief

Located in Elsternwick, a charming and vibrant suburb in Melbourne, the inspiration and design for Peak House came from an intrigue with the organic, minimalisation of New Zealand architecture and desire for a robust, yet refined built form and structure. Peak House presents a restrained grey palette of Venetian render over solid brick veneer walls. Highlights of charred timber cladding combined with cool black steel provide a crisp and contrasting accent as well as the playful, recycled red brick pool wall which is a small nod to the surrounding context. The distinct first floor gabled roof stretches the length of the dwelling to create a warm welcome from the street and a well sized double garage to the rear allows for the façade to be the showstopper. Uninterrupted by a garage at the front of the home, the captivating composition responds respectfully by combining traditional materials with simple, contemporary forms. The home sets itself seamlessly into the tree-lined streetscape and the fabric of Elsternwick.

Sustainability Considerations

With a south facing backyard, orientation was carefully considered in this 6.2 star rated home. Maximum northern light penetration was achieved without compromising on large expanses of glazing throughout. First floor west facing windows have fixed, full height aluminium louvres which serve the dual purpose of solar control and overlooking. Brick veneer construction and a crisp, Venetian rendered finish has been used on the ground floor and the first floor sees the same render over Masterwall polystyrene to create a solid, robust, yet refined built form. A lightweight upper story reduces the use of structural steel and provides supreme thermal properties. On the first floor, flat roofed walls are wrapped in sustainable, charred timber cladding and the concrete floor slab has hydronic heating installed over 50mm EPS insulation board. The window and external door frames are commercial grade, powdercoated aluminium with argon gas filled double glazing. Two 2,500 litre underground rainwater tanks are used for toilet flushing and there is an extensive PV solar system with battery storage installed to heat the swimming pool.

WINNER

New House $1,000,001 - $2M (East Coast)