The James Street Residence by Romona Sandon Designs
In designing our home it was important for me to balance the comfort and lifestyle needs of my young family with my environmentally sustainable goals from my work in Sustainable Architecture. I wanted to test if low-cost sustainable design could still be convenient and aesthetically pleasing to the clients (my family). I also wanted to test people's perception of what an eco-house should be or look like.
{The James Street Residence, by Romona Sandon Designs, Front facade}
With the kitchen, I wasn't aiming to do anything new or innovative. I wanted timeless and simple. A canvas devoid of colour so it could be injected by way of homewares and appliances and food and family. I guess I never strayed far from what I had always wanted, even showing this colour palette (or lack thereof) in previous posts, such as the Monochrome Kitchen. Cabinetry either flows through to the ceiling or is capped by bulkheads, to reduce surfaces that dust could collect on, reducing potential allergens.
{Monochrome kitchen of the James Street Residence, by Romona Sandon Designs. Image by Dion Robeson.}
Passive solar design principles were utilised where possible within the council and R-codes on a small rear battle-axe block. Large north-facing windows and doors allow winter sun to penetrate and store heat in the thermal mass of the polished concrete floor. The polished concrete floor was high on my list of features that I really wanted in this house - surprisingly, planning for this quite early on in the design process kept the cost quite comparable with alternative floor coverings.
{Open-plan living space of the James Street Residence, by Romona Sandon Designs. Image by Dion Robeson.}
Insulated cavity brick construction helps contain winter heat. Cross-ventilation allows excess heat to be dissipated in summer. A SolarStar solar-powered thermostat-controlled roof cavity ventilation system also rids the building of excess heat when needed. In the two years of occupancy, no active heating or cooling has been necessary except for the Big Ass ceiling fans (their name, as well as description!)
Solatubes with integrated PV (photo-voltaic solar panel) LED day and night lighting is used in conjunction with natural daylight and low-energy lighting elsewhere. Low VOC (Volatile organic compound) paints and carpets are used throughout to reduce sick-building syndrome (off-gassing). PV's sufficiently power the house with a larger inverter for future-proofing. East/west openings were minimised and treated with Low-E glazing where unavoidable, as well as awning shading.
{Kitchen details of the James Street Residence, by Romona Sandon Designs. Image by Dion Robeson.}
{Laundry details of the James Street Residence, by Romona Sandon Designs. Image by Dion Robeson.}
The bathrooms features hobless showers for accessibility. The glass above the half-height wall allows light to penetrate fully into the bathroom to reduce mould build up.
{Master ensuite details of the James Street Residence, by Romona Sandon Designs. Image by Dion Robeson.}
Curtains and blinds are opened and closed to allow optimal light and heat inside, which is also aided by deciduous vine plantings on the north for additional summer shading of openings. While we wait for the grape vine to grow, we use a combination of shade sails and a passionfruit vine that we trim back in winter to allow more sun through. In the mean time, we are drowning in fat juicy passionfruit and the kids adore it!
The garden also considered sustainable design elements in the use of reclaimed breeze blocks for the entry, edible garden courtyard and native or self-sown water-wise planting. Indoor plants are used for improved indoor air quality and visual calm.
{North-facing, rear exterior of the James Street Residence, by Romona Sandon Designs.}
{North-facing, rear exterior of the James Street Residence, by Romona Sandon Designs.}
As a sustainable designer, I see it's discrepancies and the details that could have been improved, with time, money and less council limitations.
As an architect, I see the features that I could have amplified and where I wish our money could have stretched to.
As the client, it is perfect. It is the perfect design for how my family and I live, our budget at this stage of our life, and the place and site that we built it on. It is our home and I'm proud of it.
xo Romona
Local Heroes: Florence Street by KADA
I love how the home has fun elements scattered throughout, in the form of bright sunny pops of colour or embossed brickwork space-invaders. How could you not be happy in this house?
For more information on the Florence St project visit Klopper & Davis Architects.
xo Romona
Local Heroes: Gallery House by Craig Steere Architects
{Complementary materiality of off-white render, stone, timber and zinc cladding}
{How beautiful is that pergola?!}
{Classic but contemporary frontage in Nedlands}
{Crossing linear elements continue with steel balustrade and stone stairs}
{Visual and physical connection between outside and in}
{I love a clean monochrome kitchen. It gives a great base to personalise with homely touches later}
{Simple palette and colour scheme continue through into wet areas}
{Overlapping linear elements give aesthetic cohesion}
{That ceiling is amazing! I would not have enjoyed drawing up those details, but what a result!}
{A touch of warmth to the monochromatic palette, with timber floor insert}
{Sculptural Frangipani trees create organic silhouettes against the linear}
{Ceiling and pergola structures linking the pavilion and courtyard spaces}
{Visually striking linear elements, that would be amazing to take in from the pool, day or night}
I feel the need to point out that while passive solar design principles have been applied with siting, material selection and active tech, the 6 star energy rating achieved is the NCC (National Construction Code) minimum, since this rating system goes up to 10 stars. Just keep this in mind, when designing or building your next home - time spent aiming for a higher rating early on will save you time and money later on.
Regardless of this small point, this house is a beautiful example of contemporary residential architecture and looks like it would be a joy to live in.
xo Romona
May Lust List
I thought I'd do a small post on a couple of designs and products that I am totally lusting after right now. I've been on a self-imposed homewares embargo (mainly so I can have some fun once we are in the new house, and also, like I said, no paid work = no spare mula!) so here are a few things that would be added-to-cart asap in any other circumstance… well, maybe with a lotto win, but one can dream. Or I can just live vicariously through any of you lucky people who happen to purchase up after seeing this.
{A Cutipol Mezzo cutlery set}
{An Elise Raspanti Art Series Kip & Co beanbag!}
{Blue Heaven LED Neon artwork (or any of their ice creams) by Electric Confetti}
{Sierra weave Armadillo & Co rug in Pumice has been on my list since I felt it at a trade fair a few years ago. Sooo soft and luxurious!}
{Love this Sketch Inc for Lucie Kaas Thief Wall Hook by Urbaani, available at Top3. Becky Kemp's Kokeshi Dolls are also fantastic - check out her insta @sketchinc to see some of her amazing work}
{The impressively multi-functional Woodieful chair/table/storage/bucket from new start-up Woodieful in Slovenia. I love adaptable 'slashie' furniture! It is available through their Kickstarter campaign here, although you better hurry - only 9 days to go. And yes, they do ship to Australia!}
{These Dita stools from Grazia & Co, seen here in the stunning Port Phillip Bay penthouse apartment by We Are Huntly. Photo by Brooke Holm}
{A matte black Anthracite finish Smeg fridge, because why not}
What are you lusting after?
xo Romona
Local Heroes: Marimekko House by Ariane Prevost
This stunning multi-material home in Perth suburb of Mosman Park is by the outrageously talented Ariane Prevost. Architect's designing and constructing for themselves (with of course plenty of time, patience, money, attention to detail, great trades and an agreeable partner) can result in the most amazing homes! Her abstract use of seemingly mundane materials comes together in an exciting collection of interweaving spaces. And how great is that kitchen?! A simple palette of colours taken from the raw materials and textures of the building, layered with artwork and those amazing Marimekko fabric covered soft furnishings. These fabrics and patterns inspired the enveloping cor-ten screens that give the house its name.
{Cor-ten Marimekko-inspired cut screens to the front facade allowing privacy to this open-planned home. Image by Heather Robbins of Red Images Fine Photography via House Nerd (an awesome Perth blog you should also check out!)}
{Brick herringbone floors throughout internal spaces allow seamless blending to exterior zones. Image by Angelita Bonetti}
{That stunningly detailed monochrome kitchen! Image by Red Images}
{Creative use of typically common materials adds interest and worth beyond the actual costs}
{Love that monochrome, tetrus-like joinery patterning. Working closely with cabinet makers and joiners resulting in stunning outcomes}
{Massive front door with handle made from a piece of old bridge timber. Image by Red Images}
{That monochrome Marimekko fabric! Image by Red Images}
{Open facade and spaces blurs the line between inside and out. Image by Bo Wong}
{Landscaped roof terrace with screens from reclaimed roofing timbers}
{Deciduous grape-vine pergolas for summer shade allowing winter sun penetration}
{Roof terrace at a later date, with succulents and vines now fully established and so lush. Image by Red Images}
{Trailing concrete steps through lush succulents. Image by Red Images}
{Blurring the divide between outside and in. Image by Red Images}
It must be amazing to live in such an open and flowing home, although I must admit that my severely-mosquito-attracting skin does shudder just a little. Might just have to plant a little extra Lavender, Spearmint and Lemongrass around.
Hope you enjoyed!
xo Romona