Project: Malcolm Street, McKinnon

Designed for a family of four with additional accommodation for guests, this new house has been arranged in an L-shaped plan. A formal living room and a master bedroom suite are located in a single-storey wing facing the street, and the family living areas with bedrooms above, are located in the rear wing oriented to a north-facing private rear garden. The simple plan form and orientation was designed to minimise wasted space and construction materials, while providing spacious accommodation, ample storage and to maximise thermal performance. The family areas take advantage of winter sun to warm the polished concrete floors while carefully designed sunscreens provide protection from summer sun. These passive design features combined with others such as carefully conceived natural cross-ventilation, insulation and double-glazing are delivering impressive year-round thermal performances.