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Architecture
Green Dream: A Fast, Affordable & Eco-Friendly Build for a Rental
Good design doesn't require a hefty price tag – this low-cost build gives tenants a warm, efficient and flexible home
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation each week. Here, Mark Spence, director at architecture and interiors firm Anthrosite, reveals how he created a high-quality, energy-efficient rental home with eco features – all on a tight budget and timeline.
What is the house like?
A new, 58-square-metre secondary dwelling to the rear of an existing single-storey weatherboard house. It sits on a 427-square-metre lot with dual access.
The new split-level dwelling has a lower level, ground floor and mezzanine. It has one bedroom (that can be reconfigured into two) and one bathroom.
A new, 58-square-metre secondary dwelling to the rear of an existing single-storey weatherboard house. It sits on a 427-square-metre lot with dual access.
The new split-level dwelling has a lower level, ground floor and mezzanine. It has one bedroom (that can be reconfigured into two) and one bathroom.
Ground-floor plan
How would you describe this project?
A custom-built, low-cost home for a small-scale developer.
Due to flood-mitigation controls, the primary living level is elevated 1.2 metres above natural ground level.
The ground floor expands as it opens out on either side to a street-facing terrace on one side and a private sunken deck on the other. This creates a seamless transition from indoors to out and enhances the comfort and quality of the living spaces.
To overcome the difficulty of connecting living spaces to the outdoors, hard and soft landscaping, including stairs, decks and earth mounding, were introduced. These outdoor connections – in addition to the use of split levels – are spatially economic, providing the inhabitant with distinct living zones that are simultaneously open and separate.
Thinking of building? Find a local architect on Houzz and discuss the possibilities
How would you describe this project?
A custom-built, low-cost home for a small-scale developer.
Due to flood-mitigation controls, the primary living level is elevated 1.2 metres above natural ground level.
The ground floor expands as it opens out on either side to a street-facing terrace on one side and a private sunken deck on the other. This creates a seamless transition from indoors to out and enhances the comfort and quality of the living spaces.
To overcome the difficulty of connecting living spaces to the outdoors, hard and soft landscaping, including stairs, decks and earth mounding, were introduced. These outdoor connections – in addition to the use of split levels – are spatially economic, providing the inhabitant with distinct living zones that are simultaneously open and separate.
Thinking of building? Find a local architect on Houzz and discuss the possibilities
Mezzanine-floor plan
What was your thinking behind the design?
The project was shaped by the need to adhere to a tight budget (and thus remain an affordable housing option). To achieve a high-quality build while keeping costs low, a simple, box-like form was conceived to speed construction and eliminate unnecessary expenditures.
Construction consisted of standard blockwork and affordable, prefabricated materials and modular components. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) were selected as the primary material for the walls and roof for their environmental benefits and superior insulation. Double-glazed, operable doors and windows promote cross-ventilation and maintain thermal comfort.
What was your thinking behind the design?
The project was shaped by the need to adhere to a tight budget (and thus remain an affordable housing option). To achieve a high-quality build while keeping costs low, a simple, box-like form was conceived to speed construction and eliminate unnecessary expenditures.
Construction consisted of standard blockwork and affordable, prefabricated materials and modular components. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) were selected as the primary material for the walls and roof for their environmental benefits and superior insulation. Double-glazed, operable doors and windows promote cross-ventilation and maintain thermal comfort.
A section of the new home
The house maintains its connection to the outdoors through hard and soft landscaping made possible through repurposing soil excavated during construction.
Modular joinery, high ceilings and open-plan living on the ground floor allow for a variety of uses and configurations, while the mezzanine level can be spilt in two to provide additional sleeping quarters.
The house maintains its connection to the outdoors through hard and soft landscaping made possible through repurposing soil excavated during construction.
Modular joinery, high ceilings and open-plan living on the ground floor allow for a variety of uses and configurations, while the mezzanine level can be spilt in two to provide additional sleeping quarters.
Internal surfaces were left unfinished to minimise the amount of materials and trades required and therefore reduce time, cost and waste
The two-storey building offers a diversity of spaces to accommodate the changing needs of different tenants.
Responding to the neighbouring context, the house maintains a similar footprint to the many backyard sheds along the street, while providing greater amenity.
The two-storey building offers a diversity of spaces to accommodate the changing needs of different tenants.
Responding to the neighbouring context, the house maintains a similar footprint to the many backyard sheds along the street, while providing greater amenity.
What does the house contain?
- An open-plan living, kitchen and dining area that opens to a street terrace and a rear sunken deck.
- A laundry.
- One bathroom.
- One large bedroom/studio space that can be converted to two bedrooms.
- Underfloor storage.
- A roof garden.
- A carport for one car.
Bi-fold windows allow for full openings so the occupants can maximise air flow in summer
Brief
Brief
- An investment property suitable for tenants looking for long-term rental accomodation.
- The house needed to be designed with flexibility and an array of possible future uses in mind to accommodate the changing needs of different tenants.
- Our client’s commitment to a sustainable outcome led to a shared philosophy of minimising costs and maximising efficiency at every opportunity.
What were the client’s must-haves?
Our client’s great strength is his commitment to sustainability. All the must-haves were the materials and construction systems that we supported and embraced together, such as SIPS for the walls and roof, and double-glazed timber windows and doors.
How long did the project take?
Nine months. Six months for design and documentation, and three months for construction.
Our client’s great strength is his commitment to sustainability. All the must-haves were the materials and construction systems that we supported and embraced together, such as SIPS for the walls and roof, and double-glazed timber windows and doors.
How long did the project take?
Nine months. Six months for design and documentation, and three months for construction.
What was the budget?
Around $350,000.
Where did most of it go?
The SIPS and the double-glazed doors and windows.
Browse more great decks on Houzz
Around $350,000.
Where did most of it go?
The SIPS and the double-glazed doors and windows.
Browse more great decks on Houzz
What challenges did you face?
Adhering to the tight budget and timeframe without compromising quality and energy efficiency.
Adhering to the tight budget and timeframe without compromising quality and energy efficiency.
Strandboard panels were used for the interior walls to eliminate the need for painting
Tell us about your materials choices
Prefabricated materials, such as SIPs, fibre-cement sheet panels and modular joinery were selected to minimise waste and allow for future flexibility and modifications. Materials were either pre-finished or left unfinished, eliminating painting from the job.
SIPs were selected as the primary material for the project due to their environmental benefits and superior insulation, while blockwork was selected for its thermal mass and straightforward construction technique.
Tell us about your materials choices
Prefabricated materials, such as SIPs, fibre-cement sheet panels and modular joinery were selected to minimise waste and allow for future flexibility and modifications. Materials were either pre-finished or left unfinished, eliminating painting from the job.
SIPs were selected as the primary material for the project due to their environmental benefits and superior insulation, while blockwork was selected for its thermal mass and straightforward construction technique.
Tell us about the flooring
Concrete slab flooring provides thermal mass and helps to regulate internal temperatures. The suspended living level and rear deck are finished with fibre cement panels as a low-cost, durable alternative to timber.
We used broadloom carpet in the bedroom on the mezzanine floor.
Concrete slab flooring provides thermal mass and helps to regulate internal temperatures. The suspended living level and rear deck are finished with fibre cement panels as a low-cost, durable alternative to timber.
We used broadloom carpet in the bedroom on the mezzanine floor.
Tell us about the textured bathroom walls
The ground-level walls, containing the laundry and bathroom, are in unfinished core-filled concrete blockwork, which was selected for its low maintenance, durability and thermal mass. The shower enclosure is lined with ceramic tiles.
The ground-level walls, containing the laundry and bathroom, are in unfinished core-filled concrete blockwork, which was selected for its low maintenance, durability and thermal mass. The shower enclosure is lined with ceramic tiles.
And what about the exterior?
The exterior is clad in pre-finished fibre cement sheet panels, which allowed for quick assembly.
The monochromatic aesthetic is a complete contrast to the vibrant strandboard interior.
Over time vegetation climbers will soften the harsh shed-like appearance.
The exterior is clad in pre-finished fibre cement sheet panels, which allowed for quick assembly.
The monochromatic aesthetic is a complete contrast to the vibrant strandboard interior.
Over time vegetation climbers will soften the harsh shed-like appearance.
Interior materials palette
- Acid-washed, steel trowel-finished concrete slab to the interior floor.
- Cavalier Bremworth Habitat Verve broadloom carpet to the mezzanine.
- Ozone Panel structural insulated panels (SIPs) for the interior wall cladding.
- Maxiply fronts, carcasses and shelving in black to the kitchen joinery.
- Caesarstone Ocean Foam benchtops.
- Earp Bros Everstone Durastone unglazed porcelain tiles in Crema Luna to the bathroom.
An elevation of the new home
Interior fixtures and fittings
Exterior materials palette
Your turn
Tell us in the Comments below what you like most about this design. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more inspiring builds? Don’t miss this Houzz Tour: Two Tired Terraces Add Up to One Cool-for-Kids Home
Interior fixtures and fittings
- Wilkins Windows double-glazed timber windows and doors.
- Wilkins Windows double-glazed uPVC fixed and casement window to the bathroom.
- Ikea Yddingen basin and wash stand in White Ceramic to the bathroom.
- Ikea Dalskär basin mixer to the bathroom.
- Methven shower mixer to the bathroom.
Exterior materials palette
- A combination of full- and half-height standard grey concrete blocks from Adbri Masonry.
- CSR Cemintel Barestone fibre-cement sheets for the wall cladding.
- Ubiq Inex decking boards to the deck.
Your turn
Tell us in the Comments below what you like most about this design. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more inspiring builds? Don’t miss this Houzz Tour: Two Tired Terraces Add Up to One Cool-for-Kids Home
Sponsored
Answers by Mark Spence, director at Anthrosite
Who lives here: This is a rental property designed to suit a small family, a young couple or to be used as a home/office/studio space.
Location: Waratah, NSW
Size of the house: 58 square metres
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: One bedroom (that can be reconfigured into two) and one bathroom
Budget: Approximately $350,000
Architect and interior designer: Anthrosite
Builder: F&D DeVitis
Structural Engineer: Skelton Consulting Engineers
Bricklayer: Brickslayer
Landscape Architect: Bosque Studio
Landscaping: Landscaping Naturally