Gadigal people of Eora Nation
New South Wales
Tree House gently nestles between a heritage sandstone wall, a park and neighbouring houses. With a character of modern Australian vernacular, use of galvanised steel with recycled hardwood and brick allows the new addition to sit within the adjacent bush regeneration site, while permeable batten fencing and native planting allows biodiversity to filter between the sites. The existing cottage and addition are wrapped in a high performance envelope and the strategic planning arrangement provides more equitable access and a strong connection to landscape – crafting a building which has material longevity and flexibility for future permutations. Through careful design strategies focused on both embodied and operational carbon, the home gives more energy back to the grid, and is calculated to be significantly carbon-negative over its lifetime.
We are passionate about respecting, restoring and rehabilitating our environmental systems. For a resilient future, we wanted to upgrade an existing home with good bones for re-use, and site appropriateness for onsite food production and renewable energy. The site had great opportunity for northern light and to rejuvenate the natural landscape. A challenge was the sloped site which made access for mobility impaired family members difficult. The ASA team worked collaboratively with council, consultants and the build team to craft a home which allows us to connect to food production and endemic landscape whilst being robust to the intensifying climate.
Hamish Bresnahan, Project Architect
Alexander Symes, Project Architect
Fergus Hayes-Sant, Student of Architecture
Ross Engineers, Structural Engineer
John Oultram Heritage & Design, Heritage Consultant
AHJ, Door and Window Supplier
Quantum Traffic, Traffic Engineer