Green Magazine, Issue 70 (Nov 2019) What I Like About You

Recently I came across this house online and was struck by its sculptural, blackened form. Exploring further, I found it's not only masterfully designed but is also an exemplar of contemporary sustainable architecture. The home, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is called Platform House, by studioplusthree.

What's inspiring about the project is its poetically integrated sustainable strategies. To start with, the project is actually an alteration and addition to an existing house. The home's old footprint is reduced in size which, in turn, allows for larger secluded garden spaces with the bedrooms at ground level. Adapting the old structure achieve great savings in material usage and embodied energy.

Above, the cantilevered living platform shades the bedroom windows below, its sharp dramatic form responding to the site's triangular boundaries. Further passive solar strategies are seamlessly integrated into the living platform. Orientated east-west, the envelope allows for deep wall reveals, which create optimal eaves. The eave depth allows low-angle winter sun in, while shading windows from summer sun.

The primary full height, north-facing windows open onto a private terrace. To the west, operable external perforated metal screens shade the western windows, giving a pixelated view of the fig tree nearby.

The home has no air-conditioning, relying on cross-ventilation and integrating of high levels of insulation, above and beyond the minimums required. Discreet rainwater tanks and solar hot water round out the home's green credentials.

Materially the home bucks the trend for carbon-rich concrete and brick, instead utilising a low carbon footprint with timber finishes. The playful contrast between the charred cladding, which gives way to a light, tactile timber interior, brings the home to life.

Words: Simon Anderson
Director Andserson Architecture