HomeResidential ArchitectureHousesModern Australian Farm House with Passive Solar Design

Modern Australian Farm House with Passive Solar Design

Modern Australian Farm House with Passive Solar Design (1)

Architects: Archterra Architects
Location: Margaret River, Western Australia
Photographer: Douglas Mark Black

This modern Australian farm house was designed by Archterra Architects in Margaret River, Western Australia.

Description by Archterra: This house sits along a ridge between sections of remnant jarrah bushland on a working cattle farm. The project aims to satisfy the owners requirements of a house with pitched roof and traditional farm house verandah wrapped into a contemporary home.

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A primary outlook across paddocks to the east and a need to maintain a passive solar orientation to the north, generated a T shaped plan response. The living pavilion is orientated north, whilst the sleeping areas align east-west. Morning sun is moderated on the sleeping pavilion by the traditional verandah to the east whilst a thick rammed earth wall to the west ensures the thermal-lag effect of the earth wall keeps internal spaces cool into the late afternoon. Narrow louvre windows on this west elevation funnel cooling SW breezes through the house and present a minimal surface for afternoon sun to penetrate.

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A mix of natural, tactile materials including rammed earth, oiled timber cladding, flooring and structure are contrasted with man-made materials of plasterboard, galvanised steel and corrugated metal cladding.

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A 2kW solar array, evacuated tube solar hot water heater and blackwater recycling system compliment the passive solar design of the house. This modern Australian farm house had a life cycle assessment carried out by etool and achieved an overall GOLD rating.

bedroom, Archterra Architects

home office, Archterra Architects

kitchen, Archterra Architects

library, Archterra Architects

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Modern Australian Farm House with Passive Solar Design (7)

Modern Australian Farm House with Passive Solar Design (12)

Modern Australian Farm House with Passive Solar Design (10)

Modern Australian Farm House with Passive Solar Design (3)

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