The Subtropical Row House

Transcription

1 The Subtropical Row House A design exploration of a contemporary compact dwelling type August 2008

2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Centre for Subtropical Design and QUT unreservedly acknowledge PUSH, Fairweather Proberts, EWB Architects, and Diecke Richards Architects, as the respective authors of the prototypes, and the owners of copyright on the respective prototypes reproduced in this publication. The Centre for Subtropical Design also acknowledges the considerable involvement of Michael Chapman, Urban Design Manager, Delfin Lend Lease Ltd, who led the participants on a tour of potential sites, provided access to key design and marketing expertise, provided the venue and catering for the design workshop and was an active contributor in the workshop. COPYRIGHT The content of this publication is copyright. Other than for the purposes of, and subject to the conditions prescribed under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part of this publication may, by any means (magnetic, electronic, optical, printing, photocopying, or otherwise), be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, broadcast or published without prior written permission of the copyright owners.

3 DISCLAIMER This publication, including the prototypes, are provided for information only. They are not suited for use in construction. The Centre for Subtropical Design and QUT (the publishers) do not accept liability to any person for the information provided in this publication or incorporated into it by reference. The publishers therefore expressly exclude any representations or warranties concerning the currency, accuracy, completeness or suitability of the content of this publication. Users accept the sole responsibility and risk associated with any use of the content, irrespective of the purpose of such use. The publishers disclaim all responsibility and liability whether in contract, tort (including negligence), statute or otherwise for any expense, damage, loss or costs which may be suffered or incurred as a result of use of or reliance on the content of the Publication. In no circumstances shall the publishers be liable for any special, consequential or indirect loss or damage arising from any use of or reliance on the content of the Report. The information in the publication is provided on the basis that all persons using this publication undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content.

4 CONTRIBUTORS Name Organisation Andrew Aitken Green Building Council of Australia Michael Chapman Delfin Lend Lease Andrew Keag Delfin Lend Lease Ann Waugh Delfin Lend Lease Peter Richards Deicke Richards Shem Guthrie Deicke Richards Arno King Deicke Richards Elizabeth Watson-Brown Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects Peter Skinner The University of Queensland Amalie Wright EDAW /AECOM Malcolm Eadie EDAW /AECOM Liam Proberts Fairweather Proberts David Langley Fairweather Proberts Ingrid Strasser Fairweather Proberts Greg O Shea Environmental Design Group Paul Curran PUSH Adam Smith PUSH Anna Kinnear Kinnear Stacey and Sons Rod Bligh Bligh Tanner Pty Ltd Medha Gokhale GHD Built Environment Paul Sanders School of Design QUT Garth Moore Ipswich City Council Kalara McGregor Centre for Subtropical Design Galyna McLellan Centre for Subtropical Design Rosemary Kennedy Centre for Subtropical Design

5 Current urban development in SEQ is characterised by: Growth and sprawl eroding subtropical character and identity Changing demographics and housing needs Lack of (flat) developable land Rising transport costs Diminishing fresh water supply High energy consumption Generic building designs ignore local conditions (We live in a climate which is comfortable enough to be outdoors all year round, but we are not incorporating our enthusiasm for the outdoors into our homes and neighbourhoods)

6 The Regional Plan s Vision for SEQ is: sustainable, well-designed, and the subtropical character is recognised and reinforced Subtropical character and identity is derived from: a sense of openness and permeability, and a strong connection with nature.

7 Our Objectives RESEARCH best practice planning and design for contemporary and future needs for urban development in SEQ. PROMOTE collaboration to achieve creative solutions STIMULATE responses that achieve sustainable, low-energy and low water outcomes and support character and identity COMMUNICATE subtropical design initiatives clearly and convincingly INFLUENCE decision makers to achieve the best subtropical design outcomes for the community.

8 Why develop subtropical design exemplars? Making urban growth more compact and efficient is a positive step toward addressing a myriad of resource and livability issues. and Solving the densification vs. character and lifestyle conundrum requires positive solutions using subtropical design thinking.

9 The challenge Develop workable new typologies for homes that the market can adopt. Take into account: Flexibility for diversity of households, including live/work arrangements Integrate building, site and meaningful vegetation Market appeal Affordability Constructability local building industry Energy, water and waste reduction Express a positive relationship with climate and place

10 The potential of the row house typology for the subtropics Higher density option for urban and suburban contexts Access from sky to basement for sun and water collection and storage Flexibility for diversity of lifestyles and workstyles Integrated building and site Street appeal and identity Affordability economy of scale - and cheaper to construct than multistorey apartments Construction repetition of elements and details Cross-ventilation advantages Small footprint of individual units to address sloping sites

11 What we did Formed multidisciplinary creative teams: We worked with credentialled developers and marketing experts, urban designers, architects, planners, landscape architects, energy and water experts. Selected typical sites in a greenfield subdivision: Range of slopes, access and orientations Focused intensively on the issues: Precedents, regulatory environment, lending institutions attitudes, market acceptability, consumer preferences, environmental standards Defined the problems and developed solutions: Ideas developed and shared in an intensive charrette scenario: Benchmarked performance: Using the Pilot Green Star Multi-Unit residential tool.

12 Day One: Site Tour Site

13 Day Two: Design Workshop

14 Solutions EWB Team Roho Typical house: 115m2 GFA/5.0m wide/three bedrooms Northern orientation, roof terraces, balconies, decks and gardens maximised Water storage and recycling integrated Stepped section eliminates internal walls and maximises through ventilation Central stair core and skylight potential to increase ventilation Scheme applicable to three sites. Minimal footprint: 36% site cover Net density achieved: 52 dwelling units/ hectare and commercial spaces Green Star Rating self-assessed** against the GBCA Green Star Multi-Residential Pilot: Once certified would equate to 5 Stars.** **The GBCA does not endorse any self-assessed Green Star rating achieved by the use of Green Star Multi Unit Residential PILOT. The GBCA offers a formal certification process for 4 Star ratings and above; this service provides for independent third party review of points claimed to ensure all points can be demonstrated to be achieved by the provision of the necessary documentary evidence. The use of Green Star - Multi Unit Residential PILOT without formal certification by the GBCA does not entitle the user or any other party to promote the Green Star rating achieved.

15

16 Solutions PUSH Team Slip-Slide Row House Typical house: 117m2 GFA, 7.5m wide, four bedrooms/potential for separate home-office Climate responsive strategy: car space occupies least desirable quadrant + outdoor living court occupies most desirable quadrant: flexible configuration depending on orientation Longitudinal circulation zone/ Central stair core potential to increase ventilation Scheme suits sloping sites / car access on high side Net density achieved: 33 dwelling units/ hectare Green Star Rating self-assessed** against the GBCA Green Star Multi-Residential Pilot: Once certified would equate to 6 Stars.** **The GBCA does not endorse any self-assessed Green Star rating achieved by the use of Green Star Multi Unit Residential PILOT. The GBCA offers a formal certification process for 4 Star ratings and above; this service provides for independent third party review of points claimed to ensure all points can be demonstrated to be achieved by the provision of the necessary documentary evidence. The use of Green Star - Multi Unit Residential PILOT without formal certification by the GBCA does not entitle the user or any other party to promote the Green Star rating achieved.

17

18 Solutions Fairweather Proberts Team The Sub-Tropical Row House + The Sub-Tropical Row House + Typical house: 144m2 GFA /5m wide /three bedrooms Roof deck and central open courtyard and water storage potential Stepped section maximises volume Longitudinal circulation zone includes stair core Scheme suits sloping sites; car access on high side Net density achieved: 78 dwelling units/ hectare Green Star Rating self-assessed** against the GBCA Green Star Multi-Residential Pilot: Once certified would equate to 5 Stars.** **The GBCA does not endorse any self-assessed Green Star rating achieved by the use of Green Star Multi Unit Residential PILOT. The GBCA offers a formal certification process for 4 Star ratings and above; this service provides for independent third party review of points claimed to ensure all points can be demonstrated to be achieved by the provision of the necessary documentary evidence. The use of Green Star - Multi Unit Residential PILOT without formal certification by the GBCA does not entitle the user or any other party to promote the Green Star rating achieved.

19

20 Solutions Deicke Richards Team The Subtropical Row House Typical house: m2 GFA /variable widths at 9.5 & 3.5m /two-four bedrooms/home office Outdoor terrace and garden directly relate to living area Stepped section maximises volume 4m wide zones of occupation with longitudinal circulation zone and stair core Scheme applies to sloping sites and various orientations Net density achieved: dwelling units/ hectare, depending on configuration Green Star Rating self-assessed** against the GBCA Green Star Multi-Residential Pilot: Once certified would equate to 5 Stars.** **The GBCA does not endorse any self-assessed Green Star rating achieved by the use of Green Star Multi Unit Residential PILOT. The GBCA offers a formal certification process for 4 Star ratings and above; this service provides for independent third party review of points claimed to ensure all points can be demonstrated to be achieved by the provision of the necessary documentary evidence. The use of Green Star - Multi Unit Residential PILOT without formal certification by the GBCA does not entitle the user or any other party to promote the Green Star rating achieved.

21

22 Principles and strategies creating a subtropical row house Integrate key strategies for optimising natural ventilation, day-lighting and passive solar design (minimise summer heat gain and maximise winter heat gain). Design and detail for integrated vegetation essential for optimum micro-climatic performance: allow for substantial shade trees in overall strategy; storm water infiltration to permeable ground surfaces, car parking, courtyards, terraces and roof gardens and edible landscapes for individual dwellings. Utilise streets and car courts for large shade trees on the western and eastern sides of dwellings. Where appropriate, replace multiple driveways with multi-purpose shared courtyard; only needs one crossing over pedestrian footpath; potential to support a substantial shade tree. Use ground cover plants instead of grass or paving: better for micro-climatic performance.

23 Principles and strategies - creating a subtropical row house Design for the characteristics of wind availability, including ways of coaxing air movement out of low velocity conditions. Configuration and orientation of blocks and their disposition relative to other buildings and topographic features is important e.g staggered configuration of units can set up side boundary walls as wind deflectors, redirecting air flow through the dwelling. A key architectural initiative is the ridge vent at highest part of roof: useful to induce stack effect where convection current draws air through the house, venting hot air at the top outlet. The higher the stack the better. Maximises potential of a central stair core and doubles as diffuse daylighting source. Maximise building permeability cross ventilate every habitable space by deliberate configuration of layout, combined with size and location of openings. Wrap the plan around an open courtyard, or a stairwell lit from above. Use windows and door types that allow access to 100% of opening. Face living areas towards the north or east and open to a terrace or verandah and a subtropical garden. If insect screens are desired, ensure they can be retracted at times not required to be in use fixed screens can significantly reduce airflow.

24 Principles and strategies creating a subtropical row house Absorb site slope within the plan of the row-house, not on the edges, to avoid overscaled retaining walls. Utilise half levels to interlink spaces and to create additional volume. Keep concrete floors or masonry walls fully shaded on summer days. Use overhangs or other shading strategies block direct sun in summer and allow the sun to shine in during winter. Select appropriate materials for roof-lights e.g tri-wall polycarbonate admits light but not heat or UVR. Use sightlines, angle of view, and setbacks for privacy.

25 Principles and strategies creating a subtropical row house Provide systems for autonomous water and energy harvesting (ensure of ease of future retrofitting if not supplied up-front). Use undercrofts or space below driveways and courtyards for substantial water storage: A 50sqm roof can harvest 36,000l/year (at 900mm average annual rainfall) Integrate comprehensive water recycling systems. Capitalise on abundant sunshine to heat water supply. Take into account potential heat and noise outputs of a/c condensers (if installed by occupants) and provide suitable location for installation. Ensure location does not compromise indoor/outdoor living options for occupant or neighbours.

26 More information? The Centre for Subtropical Design welcomes your enquiries. Visit for more information.