The interiors of Water Tank House, like most of the back street residences of Port Melbourne, are private enough, but the building’s sustainability statement is a very public one.

The three storey residence, designed by ARM Architecture, is completely covered in a combination of black water tanks and modular vertical planters (plastic) that publicly question the importance of design aesthetic in the greater context of sustainability:

“How far would you go for sustainability? Is your domestic aesthetic flexible enough?” ARM Architecture.

Nineteen Aquarius Slimline water tanks, each 2sqm and holding a combined 38,000 litres of water, form the bulk of the façade and will collect rainwater and service the home’s toilets, laundry and extensive gardens.

The thermal mass of the tanks will also mediate temperature fluctuations and create a degree of insulation for the building.

The garage door features artwork commissioned by the family.

Between the tanks, and covering the rest of the building, is Atlantis Gro-Wall®, a plastic modular structure that will support the home’s vertical gardens in the future.

ARM says the façade, which will form a micro-ecology as it grows, puts the environment first, and forces the concept of sustainability into the public realm.

“The façade is palazzo-like in that it appears to seal off the household from the outside environment, yet it is not a forbidding security fortress: its message is about protecting species and environmental elements,” says the architect.

“It chooses shared, functional sustainability over a personal luxury ideal.”

Beyond the overt sustainability statement, the home also has other hidden green building technologies such as a rooftop garden, solar panels and a solar hot water system. The toilet cisterns, which are serviced by the water tanks, also have integrated handbasins that store used handwash water for flushing.

The home’s three-storey central stairwell functions as the building’s thermal chimney, rising to an operable Velux Skylight that is opened when the owners want to flush hot air.

In comparison to the street view, the Water Tank House’s interior is very normal-looking. It comprises versatile multi-purpose spaces that incorporate common materials such as timber floors for common areas, carpeted bedrooms and tiled bathrooms.

Hydronic heating , air conditioning, a mobile phone BIM system and an Easy Living Elevator are some of the more luxury items chosen by ARM for the interiors of Water Tank House.

Water Tank House is currently being considered for the Victorian Architecture Awards hosted by the Australian Institute of Architects.

Photography: exterior shots by Aaron Poupard, interior shots from Freemantle Media.

KEY PROJECT INFO

LOCATION
Port Melbourne, Victoria

COMPLETED
2014

PEOPLE

DESIGN TEAM
Howard Raggatt, Ray Marshall, Sophie Cleland, John van Gemert, Meredith Dufor, Laura Burley

BUILDER
Overend Constructions

LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT
Rush Wright

STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT
McLeod Consulting

ARCHITECTURAL METAL WORK
HJ Richards (Aust.)

PRODUCTS

CLADDING (GREEN)
Alucobond Aluminium Cladding

GROW WALL CLADDING
Atlantis Gro-Wall®

WATER TANKS
Aquarius Watermaster

SKYLIGHTS
Velux, GHL Dual Action Double Glazed Roof Window

ALUMINIUM WINDOWS/DOORS
Capral Flushline frames
Viridian LowE Double Glazed

CARPET
The Floor Store

CURTAINS/ BLINDS
Blinds in Mind

ELEVATOR
Easy Living Elevators

LIGHTING CONTROL / SECURITY AV
Advanced Lifestyle Solutions

Nathan Johnson

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