By Anderson Architecture
Govetts Leap Bach is representative of the synthesis of sustainable principles and technologies, and striking architectural character, informed not only by an awareness of the environmental sustainability and performance of the building fabric, but of the necessity for the spaces within to perform and endure over time. It demonstrates that traditional passive principles such as thermal mass, cross ventilation and solar passive design remain valuable strategies alongside those more novel and techno-centric. A single residential dwelling located in Blackheath, NSW, Govetts Leap Bach has been designed with passive and Passivhaus principles front of mind. At 81sqm total floor space, it is a compact home that responds to the duality of its context- its situation on a residential block between three immediate neighbours, and its greater Blue Mountains bushland context.
Key features:
Sitting at the edge of the bush, in the Blue Mountains, yet wedged between two occupied blocks, the site is thoroughly suburban in its size but also because of its proximity to the neighbours. Nevertheless, the bush fire risk was deemed as extreme, with the dwelling designed and detailed to meet BAL FZ (Bushfire Attack Level Flame Zone) requirements. The desire to preserve privacy between neighbours but also engage with the bush and create a sense of being immersed within it were key factors in the initial massing of the house. Towards this, there are two wings of the house that reach to the north to capture sunlight and promote natural daylighting within the house, and extend to the rear of the property towards the bush.
Driven by the client brief, but also our own commitment to environmental sustainability this was one of the first houses that we’ve taken that next step and designed with Passivhaus principles in mind. The outcome, while never intended to reach Passivhaus certification levels, is expected, through the thermal comfort facilitated through airtightness, insulation, optimal indoor air quality, reduced thermal-bridges, high performance windows and heat-recovery ventilation to deliver an extremely efficient and comfortable home. This project demonstrates that a highly sustainable approach doesn’t have to limit the possibility of a visually radical and contemporary architecture in extreme bushfire environments.
Based in Sydney, Australia, Anderson Architecture was established in 2002 under the direction of architect Simon Anderson. The practice has experience working on a range of project types, specialising in the design and realisation of sustainable, high quality residential projects. We have a team of experienced architects who manage our projects from design to construction.
A philosophy of humanising contemporary architecture and connecting with nature are integral to all our projects. This, in combination with a collaborative approach to clients, attention to detail and an emphasis on site specific design characterise the practice’s approach to architecture.