Bowenvale.

This two storey ‘near passive’ architectural home was designed by Karen Manson Architects. Brent worked closely with Karen to work through design suggestions and optimise performance outcomes without breaking the bank.

The owners, a (now) retired couple with many grandchildren wishing to visit, wanted a genuinely warm and energy efficient home and concluded that the only way to truly achieve this was through the incorporation of passive house principles.

The house was built in 2017. The walls, and ceiling are SIPs, over an insulated concrete slab. The windows were inward opening double glazed uPVC (Low E, Argon filled, thermally broken). They were recessed into the thermal envelope to assist with minimising thermal bridging. The design also incorporated a large exterior desk and a pergola for shading for the all important outdoor living and shading. Smaller windows and exterior sliding louvres were installed in key locations to also prevent overheating.

The mechanical heat recovery ventilation system in this design, is a Zehnder.