Apex residence

The project was designed locally by a designer educated and experienced in tropical sustainable design.

Waste minimisation and recycling procedures were implemented during construction. Timber offcuts were used to make bespoke furniture for the house, for example.

Construction was programmed to commence at the beginning of the dry season to minimise wet weather delays and other wet weather impacts such as soil erosion and water damage to materials. Construction sequencing allowed the roof to be installed early to provide protection for the remainder of the build.

Durable, robust and mould resistant materials including colorbond steel roof and wall cladding, profiled FC chamferboards and FC sheet were specified. Timber flooring was allowed to acclimatise before installation.

The site was selected for its excellent amenity to local services, and proximity to Cairns city. It is within walking distance to primary, secondary and tertiary education facilities and to suburban shops, a major shopping centre, council library, public pool, doctor and dentist. It is only one block walk from a regular bus route. It is within walking distance to recreational cycle trails, state forest and conservation park areas. It is a short drive to local beaches and tourism centres.

It is a native bush block. When originally bought it was heavily covered in acacia regrowth from the original site disturbance during the 1970s original subdivision works. Strategies were implemented early to improve the ecological value of the site, including early reafforestation with endemic local rainforest species to the disturbed areas to restore and improve ecological value. The variety and frequency of local fauna sightings has grown exponentially as the landscape has developed. Sightings have included less common species such as the antechinus, striped possum, sugar gliders, and the Hercules moth.

Erosion protection strategies during construction included overland water flow management using swales and natural mulches to contain sediment.

The site’s north facing slope allowed for an optimal building orientation to suit the local climate, to minimise solar heat gain and to capture breezes.

Part of the site has been dedicated to propagating native trees for reafforestation.

The house is a study in simple and affordable passive design for the Cairns climate. The house plan is designed as a single room depth, shallow footprint that hugs the contours of the land and promotes excellent cross ventilation. The house features excellent, controllable natural ventilation, and effective thermal venting via high level clerestory windows. The main living level is a raised platform positioned high amongst the surrounding trees to effectively capture breezes. There are generous verandahs and overhangs to protect the walls from the sun and an ideal northern orientation to minimise solar heat gain. The spatial planning features simple, generous, flexible spaces and blurred boundaries for comfortable tropical living. There are insect screens throughout to maintain insect-free comfort year round. The two story construction allows the upper level to remain open and cool, whilst maintaining security. The staircase acts as a thermal flue to keep the lower level cool and comfortable, even if it is closed up.

Locally sourced structural timber was specified, as were locally sourced recycled timber doors and recycled stone paving. Recycled cast iron oven doors were incorporated in the (recycled timber) mail box design and to the bespoke wood fired barbeque, which also features bagged, recycled concrete blocks.

Low VOC paints are used throughout. Specification of readily available, durable, low maintenance materials that are resistant to mould including light coloured, reflective colorbond steel to the roof, FC sheet and planking wall cladding, hot dip galvanised steel main framing members and timber floors to living and bedroom areas.

The effective use of simple passive design techniques completely obviates the need for mechanical cooling. There is abundance of evenly dispersed, indirect natural light which means there is absolutely no need for any artificial lighting until after sunset. The house has also been retrofitted with compact fluoro light fittings. There are ceiling fans to bedroom and living areas to create airflow on still summer nights. The dense surrounding trees also help keep the house comfortably cool.

The house was part of a recent energy provider tariff-trial, and consistently rated well below average household energy consumption levels.

There is a 2000 litre colorbond steel rainwater tank for irrigation. The house has been retrofitted with low volume WC cisterns and tapware. There is no dishwasher. The site features a low water native bush landscape with green and recycled mulches applied annually. There are swales to control high volume overland flow. There is no lawn to water.