New House $300,001 - $500K (West Coast): Pernille Stent DesignButton, Commonage Rd

WINNER

New House $300,001 - $500K (West Coast)

Designer: Pernille Stent, designButton Location: Yallingup Web: designbutton.net.au Builder: WestOz Constructions Energy Assessor: Lisa Enoka Photographer: Ren Mcgann

The Judges said

A thoughtful integration of white surfaces, brick and timber throughout. 7.8 stars, sustainable and at a minimal build cost. The designer provides an example of a clever, very livable and sustainable home at a modest cost. Utilizing an experienced skillset of proportion, material placement, solid and void - the result - looks great. Light and bright home grounded by good use of rustic and recycled materials and smart design. Proof that luxury is not about how much, but how well.

Project Brief

This little home, nestled between vineyards and natural bushland in Yallingup, is hovering on a sloping block with lovely views. The clients wanted a cost effective, simple abode that was comfortable, captured the views and was filled with natural light. The designer and client decided on a modest, mid-centrury look home which “brought the outside in” through the large alfresco and the expansive northfacing glass that also acts as a heat sink in the winter months, warming the home through passive solar principles. The home is located in a bushfire prone area and is rated BAL29, narrowing the building material selections down to comply with the BAL rating. The area is also located in a local planning policy “Landscape Value Area”, narrowing the colour palette somewhat which resulted in the owners choosing a darker exterior.

Sustainability Considerations

The home is completely off grid with a large rainwater tank and a PV array that feeds the entire property. It is a passive solar home with excellent airflow, minimising internal temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The footprint of the home is built up on a retained concrete pad for horizontal thermal mass whilst the verandahs and alfresco decking are built on stumps to allow airflow. There are two brick blade walls in the home (thermally broken from the outside) that assist with regulating indoor temperature. The concrete pad has recycled materials included as well as fly ash and some of the external cladding is recycled.

A mid-centrury look home which “brings the outside in” through the large alfresco and the expansive north facing glass.