2013 National Architecture Awards: Sustainable

(–) Glass House by Charles Wright Architects Sustainable Architecture: National Commendation Australian Institute of Architects

Jury citation

The (-) Glass House offers a demonstration of an alternative suburban model for tropical climates. The fundamental strategy is of living and circulation areas flowing outside but remaining under cover, minimizing the need for fully controlled environments drawing down on energy. In addition, the significant moves that have been made in terms of rainwater harvesting and photovoltaics enable a carbon-neutral operation.

Adaptive and responsive, pragmatic and innovative, the design has a clarity of approach that extends the domestic housing typology.

Read the project review by Shaneen Fantin for Houses.

Products and materials

Roofing
Lysaght Klip-Lok roof decking in Colorbond ‘Surfmist’.
External and internal walls
Tableland Concrete Blocks concrete masonry, stack bonded with raked joints; Cairns Steel Fabricators structural steel in Dulux Weathermax HBR finish.
Windows
Capral 900 Series sliding doors and 419 Flushline windows in anodized black.
Doors
Custom solid-core doors in Wattyl Estapol satin finish.
Flooring
Hanson exposed concrete, polished.
Lighting
LED lights.
Kitchen
Custom concrete benchtops, polished; Highland cooktop; Delonghi oven; Miele dishwasher.
Bathroom
Custom concrete benchtops; Reece fittings.
Heating and cooling
Daikin inverter ceiling-mounted airconditioner.

Credits

Project
(-) Glass House
Architect
Charles Wright Architects
Port Douglas, Qld, Australia
Project Team
Charles Wright, Justine Wright, Katja Tsychkova, Richard Blight
Consultants
Builder La Spina Homes
Cost consultant Davis Langdon
Engineer G & A Consultants
Hydraulic consultant Gilboy Hydraulic Solutions
Landscaping Owner
Site Details
Location Cairns,  Qld,  Australia
Site type Suburban
Site area 1522 m2
Building area 375 m2
Project Details
Status Built
Design, documentation 6 months
Construction 12 months
Category Residential
Type New houses

Source

Award

Published online: 7 Nov 2013
Words: National Architecture Awards Jury 2013
Images: Patrick Bingham-Hall

Issue

Architecture Australia, November 2013

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