An inspiring Sydney terrace house featuring a wealth of intelligent and bespoke systems has pushed the boundaries of residential design to win the Single Dwelling (New) category at the 2014 Sustainability Awards.

Forest Lodge ECO House by Chris Knierim, Code Green took the prize ahead of more than a dozen finalists, including ‘Stonewood’ by Breathe Architecture which received a commendation from the judges.

The project is founded on eco-design principals, with many of the systems custom-designed and built specifically for the home.

The awards jury praised Chris Knierim, Code Green for both the technological and architectural achievement.

“On what appears to be the last virgin plot of land in Sydney City, the designer-builder has created a technically extraordinary and visually stunning house, which neither shrinks from its modernity nor shrieks at its Victorian neighbours,” the jury statement reads.

“The thermal comfort systems are innovative and sophisticated. Green walls and a green roof invite nature into the living spaces, at the same time inviting the occupants to engage with the natural world. Stunning and inspiring.”

While the building readily complements its local surroundings, it pushes the boundaries of contemporary design via the use of the latest technologies. This is in part due to the site which, set between adjoining buildings, limited the orientation of the house.

An additional challenge was presented to the team in the form of the narrow street – the interior design and material choice of the project was critical to achieving a good thermal performing house, and if materials could not get on site, the sustainable ethos would be tarnished. However, this was resolved by careful planning during the design stage to ensure every aspect of construction, including logistics and product handling, would be covered.

Key initiatives:

  • Solar underground heat storage cell, solar concrete slab heating, solar hot water
  • Evaporative cooling
  • Natural air ventilation system
  • LED lighting throughout
  • Underground water storage tank
  • Argon filled low-E double glazed windows
  • Low VOC paints and recycled materials such as the bricks and timber flooring

Click here for to see all the winners and commendations for 2014

Photography by Belinda Mason & Nick Wilson

You can view articles on all the finalists in the Single Dwelling (New) category here.

All the finalists can be viewed in the video below: