Sherwood Sustainable & Passive Home

Our Sherwood New Home Project exemplifies our firm’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and modern architectural design. The client envisioned a home that would generate more energy than it consumed, offer a seamless transition from garage to house, and create comfortable living spaces. With an open brief and a blank site, our design team embraced the challenge of integrating sustainable materials and energy-efficient features – all whilst balancing aesthetic appeal, functionality, and affordability. Through well considered design solutions, we managed to exceed the clients expectations – achieving an exceptional 8.7 star NatHERS rating, far above the national average of 6.4 stars for new homes.

Our first approach to the brief was simple yet effective. Responding to the surrounding Brisbane environment, we placed all the main living areas along the northern side of the home to maximise exposure to natural light. This thoughtful orientation not only floods the space with daylight but also reduces the need for artificial lighting and heating. The open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas were deliberately arranged to capture cooling northeast breezes, encouraging natural cross-ventilation and creating a comfortable everyday living environment. By allowing air to flow freely throughout the home, we significantly reduced the reliance on mechanical cooling systems, contributing to the overall sustainability of the design.

We thoroughly enjoyed working with David on the design and construction of his Sustainable New Home in Sherwood, and we are extremely happy with how pleased he is with the design. Watch his testimonial to understand the lifestyle and cost benefits David gained from having his home designed and built by a Sustainable Architect.

Experience the home’s design with this video walkthrough.

Veering from traditional design solutions, we placed the garage at the rear of the property, set back from the street. Due to the site’s orientation, this strategic positioning utilises the garage as a heat barrier, effectively shielding the home from Brisbane’s intense afternoon western sun and minimises unwanted heat gain in the living areas.

The skillion roof was a simple yet highly effective design solution, allowing northern light and ventilation to filter through high-level windows. It also provides space for 62 solar panels.

A thoughtfully designed drop-down roof on the northern side further protected the home from excessive sunlight. For optimal heat control, we specified thermal break, double-glazed 6mm grey low-E glass for all doors and windows, with the grey glass on the outer layer. High ceilings and large sliding doors added flexibility to the living spaces while contributing to overall energy efficiency.

Externally, Fibre Cement Cladding was chosen by our sustainable architects for its low maintenance and exceptional durability, ideal for Brisbane’s harsh climate. This resilient material is resistant to weather, insects, water, and fire – ensuring long-term protection for the home. The home also featured energy-efficient Colourbond Coolmax roofing in a light colour to reflect heat, zoned air conditioning for personalized temperature control, and high-performance insulation to enhance thermal comfort throughout the year.

Additionally, in line with our commitment to aging-in-place principles, the design features a step-free, hobless layout, adhering to the Liveable Housing Guidelines to ensure accessibility for the homeowner over the years.

Thanks to these well-considered design elements, the home achieved an exceptional 8.7-star rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), far surpassing the industry average of 6.4 stars.

The project included the design of a modern contemporary new home with the surrounding landscape. The client’s goal was to ensure the home was sustainable. This was in relation to the use of energy and water.

This environmental house design included core principles to ensure sustainability:

1. The layout of the home to maximise natural light and airflow.
2. Very particular choice of external materials.
3. Construction specifics for the external walls.
4. Internal division system to assist in heating and cooling.
5. Focus on maximising water efficiency and recycling.
6. Focus on maximising suitable locations for the maximum number of photovoltaic panels (solar panels) and with a specific type chosen.

Like most of our work, a whole site focus was introduced with consideration for every aspect of play. From the location of the front fence type and style to gates, paths, driveways, perimeter and rear site use, landscaping and connection.

The placement of internal components all ensures the best possible indoor and outdoor flow and visual connections. These included the kitchen, living areas and the locations of all windows and doors.

The home consists of some high and very high ceilings in particular spaces. Along with large sliding doors to separate and divide space. Therefore, controlling the heating and cooling of spaces.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme has awarded this home an 8.7 Energy Star Rating because of our efforts towards sustainability.

Given the focus on sustainability, the entire home design includes elements to maximise positives and eliminate negatives.

This includes roofs shapes to ensure up to 62 solar panels can be included. Additionally; wide overhangs, external screening elements, high and low cross-flow of ventilation to allow for the venturi effect.

Double glazing has been included but full operable windows have been installed where the prevailing natural breeze is available.

1. Functional Characteristics
   • North facing pitched roofs designed to increase solar paneling surface. So to maximise the sustainable potential for the home.

2. Space use efficiency
   • The house is compartmentalised into different zones for ducted air conditioning. As a result, controlling different temperatures and cooling settings independently for each zone.
   • Open floor plan for kitchen/dining and living area generally easier for the aging client, using lines of sight to monitor the environment.

3. Energy efficiency
   • Light colour Colourbond Coolmax roofing is used to maintain high solar reflectance. Additionally, to reduce the heat load of the home, hence reducing the air-conditioning cooling required.
   • Double height ceiling void and high-level windows to facilitate cross ventilation & venturi effect.
   • All glazed doors and windows have specific U-value and SHGC to reduce excessive heat gain.
   • High R-value wall and ceiling insulation products to be installed. This is to achieve exceptional energy efficiency performance.

4. Client Lifestyle accommodation
   • The house is designed for the homeowner himself at his retirement age. So the space is generous yet boutique. Also, to have a single-level design to prevent walking up and downstairs for this aging-in-place home design.

5. Coordination with the land
   • The site is pretty flat but we have built up the back of the site so to ensure sufficient drainage. As well as overland flow channel to the street. Low maintenance material and system is important for a retirement home.

Project Number: 190503

This home has been awarded the 2020 ArCH Design Excellence Selection award for Residential Architecture Design in the New Custom Home category. View more of our award-winning projects via our awards page.