Eco excellence - Sydney home

Architect Chris Howe is an early adopter of environmental technologies in his work and actively encourages others to do the same. And to show his true commitment for minimising the impact of the home, it is also self sufficient for electricity and water recycling and its carefully crafted design lends itself to reduced heating and cooling costs.

A significant design feature is the large sandstone blade wall which cuts through the house externally and internally. However like many features of the house, this wall serves an important environmental function, passively maintaining ambient internal temperatures through its thermal mass. In summer cool night air is slowly released during the day, and in winter captured solar heat is slowly released at night minimising the need for active heating/cooling.

Power is provided by a 16.8 Kwh photo voltaic system integrated within the atrium roof, utilising the latest BP solar panels and connected to the local electrical grid, the photo voltaic system producing in excess of the building’s total energy consumption.

And the environmental awareness extends to the paint finish with Environmental Choice approved Resene paint specified inside and out. The exterior is finished in Resene AquaShield mineral effect tinted to Resene Roman Coffee (aromatic brown) and Resene Waterborne Woodsman CoolColour™ tinted to Resene Nero (blue black) while Resene SpaceCote Flat tinted to Resene Double Alabaster (grey white) provides a visually soothing matt finish inside.

In recognition of its clever use of glass, the home won the AWA National Award for Best use of glass in a Residential Project.

A real talking point of the Eastern suburbs, it has been well sought after by magazines wishing to showcase its beauty and practicality. Its location provides it with breathtaking views over Sydney Harbour, a beautiful and everchanging backdrop artwork for the homeowners.

Architect: Howe Architects Pty Ltd
Engineer: Connell Wagner and Northrop Engineering
Painting Contractor: NB Painting Services
Photography: Tyrone Branigan
Resene: Rachael Devine, NSW Architectural and Project Services Manager
From the Resene News – issue 3/2010

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