Image Credit : Designed and Built by Archbuild Architects + Builders
Project Overview
Wilga is a modern sustainable minimalist home, located in a leafy suburb of the northern Sydney regions and is surrounded by protected Sydney blue gum trees. The house incorporate trees in design in respect to environment. It archives zero carbon footprint and passive climate control. The form is derived from a simple cube, no elements projecting outside cube faces, instead features carved into the cube. It achieves a meditative space via simplicity and nature while offering a subtle luxury. It follows Mike's believes: luxury is an experience, and architecture should blend with nature.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Archbuild Architects + Builders
Team
architect: Archbuild
builder: Archbuild
drafter: Archbuild
structural, civi, hydraulic: 5S Consulting Engineers
energy consultant: Ecomax
arborist: Complete Arborcare
certifier: Premium Building Certifiers
geotechnical survey: Luff Pier engineers
surveyor: Qubix Surveys
Project Brief
In the design of Wilga, three principles were followed: environmental sustainability, simplicity, and subtle luxury.
Environmental sustainability was achieved through passive climate control design, zero carbon footprint, natural ventilation, excellent orientation of the building to maximize natural light, utilization of solar energy, employment of maintenance-friendly and durable materials, implementation of low-energy lighting, and incorporation of smart home systems.
Simplicity was achieved by adopting a mild minimalist approach. The exterior form is derived from a simple cube, devoid of any protruding elements; instead, features are recessed into the cube, lending it a primitive aesthetic.
The interior design follows mild minimalist principles, featuring a semi-open plan layout, shadow lines, absence of moldings, and a simplified color palette comprising only white, dark charcoal, and wood tones.
Subtle luxury is achieved through the use of high vertical elements both externally and internally. The large double-height arch at the front elevation evokes a humble yet majestic ambiance. Internally, lofty ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, coupled with smooth curved walls, create a tranquil atmosphere of understated luxury.
Project Innovation/Need
Form
Wilga presents an innovative exterior form. The design is derived from a simple cube, devoid of any protruding elements; instead, features are recessed into the cube, lending it a primitive aesthetic.
The exterior form may appear simplistic at first glance, but in reality, designing it is no easy task. It demands a highly experienced architect with finely honed design skills to create something that is both simple yet attractive and subtly luxurious.
It is well-proportioned in vertical and horizontal dimensions. The large, but well-scaled, double-height arch at the front elevation evokes a humble yet majestic ambiance.
Other innovations:
Tree root sleeves
Roof design to address tree leaves
Sustainability
Please refer to the "Design Challenge" section.
For sustainability innovations refer to the "Sustainability" section.
Design Challenge
Tree Roots:
The presence of three large blue gum trees, reaching heights of 35-40 meters, with two situated in close proximity to the proposed building, posed a significant design challenge. To address this, a special sleeve was devised to encase the tree roots, safeguarding them while allowing for free movement. This protective measure also prevented any potential disruption to the building's foundation caused by root growth. Supervision by the design architect ensured the successful implementation of this solution during construction.
Tree Leaves:
Another challenge arose from the copious amount of leaves continually shed by the blue gum trees throughout the year, given their status as four-season trees. This issue became particularly pressing when designing a flat roof directly beneath their canopies. A conventional roof design with edge gutters would inevitably lead to blockages, even with gutter guards, posing a maintenance burden for residents.
To overcome this obstacle, an innovative roof design was developed. The elimination of edge gutters and the cladding of the associated facade with the same metal roofing sheets streamlined the structure. Special flashing was engineered to guide water and leaves from the roof across the facade's metal cladding, ensuring seamless dispersion over the lower roof and onto the ground without the need for gutter or roof cleaning. Furthermore, during periods of leaf accumulation, they serve as a natural thermal insulator. As a result, the roof and gutters require virtually no maintenance.
Sustainability
Environmental sustainability was achieved through passive climate control design, zero carbon footprint, natural ventilation, excellent orientation of the building to maximise natural light, utilisation of solar energy, employment of maintenance-friendly and durable materials, implementation of low-energy lighting, and incorporation of smart home systems.
Wilga takes sustainability to heart, especially with the presence of the protected Sydney Blue Gumtrees. The design incorporates eco-friendly practices, ensuring energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact. Living in Wilga means experiencing luxury in a space that respects and sustains the natural environment.
We have an Environmental Sustainable Policy which is implemented and supervised from the beginning of the concert design through to the selection of the materials and construction methods to ensure the highest level of Sustainability within the project constraints.
We engage licensed consultants to model the energy ratings of our buildings, adhering to the Building Code of Australia (BCA) standards, including NatHERS and BASIX requirements. In every project, we strive to exceed these minimum benchmarks, aiming for a higher level of ambient comfort while simultaneously reducing our environmental footprint. This approach reflects our dedication to not only meet but surpass environmental standards, ensuring our projects are both comfortable and eco-friendly.
In constructing the Wilga house, we used some practices listed below:
1)Harvesting and Recycling On-Site Resources During Construction
2)Utilising On-Site Resources Post-Construction
3)Minimising Pollution
4)Protecting and Supporting Site Ecology
5)Construction Waste Management
6)Operational Waste Management and Recycling
Architecture - Residential - Constructed
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow.
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