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Houses • Architects: Guz Architects

Area Area of this architecture project Area: 1505 m²

Year Completion year of this architecture project Year: 2009

Photographs Photographs: Patrick Bingham Hall

Text description provided by the architects. The project demonstrates how technology, planning and design can be applied sensitively to generate a comfortable, luxurious, yet sustainable family home.

Photovoltaic cells and solar water heaters are employed together with design for passive cooling and cross ventilation to reduce energy usage. Irrigation tanks and roof gardens collect and recycle rainwater; and the use of materials such as recycled teak and artificial timber adds warmth without compromising the finite resources of our environment.

The house is laid out around a central water court that forms the focal point of the project. Lushly planted roof gardens surround this and add to the effect that nature is evident in every part of the house.

Although the house is high tech – using state of the art EIB systems, photovoltaic cells, security systems – these are integrated discreetly and work with the natural environment of the house rather than against it.

This integration of technology and nature deserves special mention in a compelling design that could realistically become the model for sustainable living.