The original building was a single storey timber frame workers cottage that had ramshackle additions attached to the rear. The site was luckily wide as it was two lots. We demolished the additions and retained the front two rooms of the original cottage. The owners needed a family home that was energy efficient, and had a spacious feeling. They wanted to incorporate their own ideas in regard to style and interior decoration.
The plan is cranked to make the most of the side north facing area of the site. The living/ ding/ family/ study and main bedroom all face north and onto a landscaped area. The style is quite eclectic and works with the natural fall of the land to produce interesting linked volumes.
The floor on the ground level is concrete and the southern wall is brick to maximise the thermal mass. There is in slab heating connected to off peak power, and a solar hot water unit on a section of roof specifically oriented to the north.
