The Gold Coast climate is described as The lightweight construction technique, for example, ‘WHILE COOLING ‘moderate’. Winters are mild and summers are comprising timber framework, climate-appropriate BREEZES FLOW hot, so homes are primarily designed to beat the insulation, and Linea board cladding, was utilised IN THROUGH THE heat. ‘While in the southern states the focus is because it doesn’t retain heat in the way that heavier on keeping homes warm, we’ve got to be just as materials such as bricks can. Painted white to reflect WINDOWS, ALL aware – if not more so – of how we’re going to rather than absorb sunlight, the cladding delivers THE HOT AIR RISES keep the home as cool as possible,’ Jeremy says. the cool, crisp charm that underpins the home’s OUT THROUGH ‘And we’re obviously considering orientation to be architectural appeal. THE ROOF ITSELF’ a major part of an eco-home, to make sure you’re One complication of this particular build was not getting summer sun in windows that you don’t the need to comply with BAL 29 bushfire zone want it in.’ requirements. ‘We handled all that in our design Another technique Eco-Essence leverages is stage and incorporated it into certain design single-depth rooms, which can be opened front and elements so it didn’t visually impact the home,’ back to admit the cooling cross-breezes. This works Jeremy says. ‘You wouldn’t know if you looked at well in the Pacific Pinnacle Jeremy explains: ‘The it that it was a BAL 29 construction.’ main living area pavilion has no internal walls; it’s 100 In fact, in some cases, the design team has per cent completely open which means the breeze worked the regulations to aesthetic advantage – can flow from front to back and side to side’. the curved lines of the decking, for example, added The north and south-facing ends of the pavilion a certain organic appeal while bringing the structure open onto deeply-shaded timber decks, and this away from the flame zone. represented one of the most challenging aspects of After a seven-month construction process, the the construction process. finished home was awarded an energy rating of ‘The whole ends of this structure are glass, and six stars (without any bonus stars, which is an we wanted it to be as minimalistic as possible when achievement for a home of this size, Jeremy adds). it comes to posts and beams. So there was a fair The owner has been living in the home now for over a bit of complexity in the engineering and technical year, and Jeremy says it has ‘well and truly exceeded building of it.’ her expectations’ through the changing seasons. The vaulted ceiling that soars over the living areas ‘She rang me about two months ago to tell me contributes as much to the home’s operation as her power bill was less than $200 for the quarter it does to the interior aesthetic, by allowing hot air during winter, which is fantastic for a home with an to rise up and away from the living space, where electrically heated pool.’ it then escapes via a series of strategically placed It’s this sort of outcome that proves just how Velux skylights. beneficial sustainable housing can be, and how its The physics behind the system ensures a importance will only increase into the future, Jeremy constant flow of cool, fresh air at ground level: says. ‘A sustainable home is a huge part of how we ‘While cooling breezes flow in through the windows, can overcome the ever-rising cost of living. People all the hot air rises out through the roof itself. It’s want to know how they can cut the expense of actually a really big working platform of making the running their homes, they want to live cleaner and home breathe in the Queensland climate.’ smarter and have a little bit less maintenance and Throughout this spectacular home, every design more time to live and enjoy life, so I think sustainable feature and inclusion has been sensitively considered living is the only way to go in the future.’ to enhance visual appeal as well as performance. www.ecoessencehomes.com.au luxurious resort-style living A DELICIOUS BLEND OF TROPICAL LUXE AND HAMPTONS CHARM MAY 2018 HOUSING 29 PROJECTS