value. In the kitchen and bathroom, sections of lit jade tiles, sourced from Indonesia by the owner. at a glance under-bench joinery can be easily removed to Composite timber planking around the edge of the transform them into fully finished, yet wheelchair pool evokes the rustic appeal of a traditional Japanese Award: 2018 HIA Australian friendly, spaces. The layouts of the main bedroom, onsen. Specialised Housing wardrobe and ensuite allow for wheelchair The pool itself is a heated, stainless steel flat- Partnered by: Merlin circulation; appliances are positioned at suitable pack sourced from the US and the in-ground heights; and plywood lining to all wet area walls will installation and associated electrical work was quite Builder: Pichelmann Custom allow grabrails to be retro-fitted. complex. To prevent chlorine-contaminated air from BuildingService However, while accessibility is a large part of circulating through the rest of the house, the room Architect: DNA Architects the home’s design, none of these features are is fitted with its own air exchange system. Location: Campbell, ACT immediately obvious. Instead, the Japanese- While achieving the Passivhaus standard Energy Rating: 8.7 stars inspired styling and meticulous level of finish added to the total cost (which came in at about Inclusions: triple-glazed windows throughout take centre stage. For many of the HIA $1 million), the investment was worth it. ‘We with powder coat aluminium frame, judges, it was the first time they’d observed a luxury achieved the highest pressure test rating that [Laros integrated sink, spa and pool home built with full accessibility in mind. Technologies] have done to date,’ Parry says. Materials: Colorbond steel roof® The décor is serene in its simplicity. The primary Combined with solar passive design features; a sheeting, stone walls, bluestone living spaces, grouped around the north-facing 10,000-litre water tank; 9-kilowatt PV system and pavers, timber front door, porcelain Japanese zen courtyard to optimise solar gain, two banks of storage batteries, the home achieved tiles, natural stone bathroom tiles, feature crisp white walls paired with timber-look an impressive 8.7-star energy rating. glass splashback with light green porcelain tiles, punctuated by recycled timber joinery The owner, who is thrilled with his new home, tinge, laminate laundry benchtop, and doors, plus triple-glazed timber windows. recorded stable internal temperatures of 22–25°C timber flooring painted white. Underpinning the architectural intent are the last summer – even when the mercury outside hit a feature doors, custom-designed and crafted from steamy 41. locally-sourced recycled timber by the Pichelmann Parry describes the home as ‘very personalised’. team, in collaboration with Canberra sawmill, ‘Nothing we did in there was flippant. It has thought joinery and recycled timber yard Thor’s Hammer. behind it.’ With elaborate gridwork accented by glazing And ultimately, this care and consideration THE JAPANESE- and wrought iron, the aesthetic of the doors is evident in every aspect of the design and INSPIRED STYLING AND quintessentially Japanese. construction, is what set it apart from the METICULOUS LEVEL OF The sliding double doors that lead into the main competition in the national awards. FINISH THROUGHOUT bedroom, weighing in at 160kg apiece, hang from The win represents immense value for both DNA TAKE CENTRE STAGE a rolling iron barn door track imported from the US, Architects and Pichelmann. ‘Winning the awards and required laser-precision in installation. separates you from the pack when tendering,’ ‘Even if they were 1.5mm out of level, the doors Parry says. ‘Plus the resulting media coverage as would either roll open or shut of their own accord advertising and exposure means that you get bang because of their weight, so accuracy was pretty for your buck. The cost of entering the awards is extreme.’ one of the best ways of spending on advertising The most challenging aspect of the project was that we have. You can't under-value that.’ the hydrotherapy pool room. The walls and floor of www.pichelmanncustombuilding.com.au this highly luxurious space are adorned with subtly- www.dnaa.com.au SLIDING DOUBLE DOORS LEADING INTO THE MAIN BEDROOM HANG FROM A ROLLING IRON BARN DOOR TRACK triple- glazed timber windows SEPTEMBER 2018 HOUSING 61 INTERIORS • INTERIOR PROFILE