Through a mixture of forms, materials, textures and colours, Environmental Building Solutions has transformed the ACT Campbell Residence, into a dynamic and modern building that the designers say showcases a surprise around every corner.

Bluescope Case Study

Brief

The project was a ‘knock down and rebuild’. The brief was to rebuild a home that was suitable for entertaining whilst being environmentally sustainable and utilising passive solar design. The home had to be modern, visually stunning and have a warm, rich feeling internally. It also had to incorporate a light, open plan living space with kitchen/dining and outdoor living areas as the focus of ‘people activity’.

Image: BlueScope Steel

Project Description

The home is spread over four levels, with a basement and garage on the lower level to avoid detracting from the streetscape. The main floor consists of an open plan kitchen and dining space, with bedrooms and wet areas at the rear of the house. A sunken media room and guest suite are situated on the right of the main entry. The master bedroom with ensuite and multi-purpose room occupy the upper floor, providing a private and comfortable retreat.

Sustainability

The Campbell Residence stands out as a ‘green’ development with the use of environmentally friendly products and techniques such as high levels of insulation in roof and walls, solar panels to generate hot water and in-slab hot water heating.

This home has a six star energy rating but performs at a much higher level due to the incorporation of extra innovative energy saving techniques.

Constant temperatures of around 24 degrees are maintained within the house all year round. In winter, heating is either provided passively through north facing windows or from the solar powered hydronic in-slab heating system. When opened at the top, the stairwell acts as a solar chimney to purge hot air in summer and create internal cooling breezes. Warm air can also be relocated from the upstairs bedroom into the living areas with the use of the in-line fan and transfer ducts.

Image: BlueScope Steel

Materials

Timber was used externally and incorporated with steel to create an interesting façade, contributing to a visually dynamic and contemporary building.

The walling was chosen due to its lightweight nature and low thermal mass properties. The versatility and durability of the steel walling enabled the building designer to highlight the attractive textured appearance and create a feature wall.

The steel roofing provided design flexibility to create a mix of pitched and flat roof sections, and was chosen for its rainwater catching qualities which feed to an in-ground 10,000 litre rain water tank.

Image: BlueScope Steel

Products

WALLING — COLORBOND metallic steel in Cortex, and Lysaght CUSTOM ORB profile

ROOFING - COLORBOND steel in Shale Grey, and Lysaght profiles CUSTOM ORB and KLIP-LOK

QUAD GUTTERING - COLORBOND steel in Shale Grey

FASCIA - Lysaght NOVALINE made from COLORBOND steel in Shale Grey

STRUCTURE - Lysaght BONDEK® 125 and 150 Edgeform (in suspended slab)

Awards

2009 HIA — CSR ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards for most Energy Efficiency Home of the Year: WINNER

2009 Master Builders and Boral Awards for Custom Built homes 600,000 — 900,000: MERIT

2010 HIA Australian Greensmart awards: FINALIST