Finniss House
Location | Narrabundah, ACT Date completed | Dec 2016
EER | 7.8 stars Area | 165 m² Builder | 360 Building Solutions
Featured | Sustainable House Day - Finniss House: a Light House
Photos | Ben Wrigley, August 2018 (last three externals by Jenny Edwards, midday July 2018 and last photo by client at midday on winter solstice 2018)
A flexible home for a changing family
Finniss House provides an excellent example of an efficient and flexible family home. Mindful of the future, the clients wanted an adaptable home that could be split into two self-contained residences – providing a potential source of income rather than becoming an empty nest down the track.
The front section of the home, currently the main entry and kids’ wing, has been designed to convert into an 8 star one bedroom unit once the kids leave home. The clients can then downsize on-site, and happily age-in-place, in their super-efficient and private two bedroom home.
Very careful consideration of the site has resulted in the creation of separate entry and car parking spaces, plus private outdoor areas for each of the future residences. Both residences make the most of the northerly orientation and maximise the passive heating potential over winter.
Key Design Features & Influences
3 bed, 2 living, 2 bath, large outdoor entertaining areas.
792m² flat block with north to the street.
Double carport.
Tailored to the tricky block to maximise solar passive gain over winter. Computer simulations used to optimise the size and position of windows and shading devices specifically for this block, climate and design.
Designed to the client's brief and budget using our Light House Modular approach.
Sustainability Features
7.8 stars (predicted to require < 50% of the energy needed to heat and cool a 6 star design).
Thoroughly insulated building envelope – R5 to the ceilings, R2.5 to the external walls, R1.5 to internal walls, R1 to the slab.
Vapour permeable membrane used to wrap the outside of the timber frame in the walls and roof – this taped membrane reduces air movement across the insulation and allows any water vapour in the wall and roof spaces to escape.
Apricus evacuated tube solar hot water system.