2022 HIA GreenSmart Sustainable Home of the Year

We are pleased and proud to share our very special award win, the 2022 HIA Perth GreenSmart Home of the Year for our Derby project, designed by Dave Delahunty of EHDO Architecture and built by Weststyle.

Blending seamlessly into the streetscape with its contemporary design and mesmerising natural aesthetic, the Derby project embraces naturally weathering materials and maximises passive solar principles. At the core of the design, by EHDO Architecture, are raw materials, such as feature rammed earth walls, concrete flooring, plywood ceiling claddings, reclaimed bricks from the house that previously occupied the site and the raw external timber cladding.

The house has a focus on passive energy principles; solar access, cross-ventilation, and grey water that along with a roof custom designed for PV solar panels creates a low energy house. Being orientated so the long length of the main home area faces north allows the home to take advantage of the northern winter sun, the trees lining the boundary rammed earth wall are intentionally deciduous to allow winter sun through to warm the home but protect from the summer sun with shading. Operable sliding and louvre windows and doors are strategically placed to encourage cross-ventilation and cool the home.

Because of these passive solar design principles the home does not have any air-conditioning. Solar panels have been installed minimising the energy required from the grid and the roof was designed specifically to minimise the visual impact of the panels.

Materiality is a large aesthetic and environmental element of this home, particularly the use of pine. The entire home is made of lightweight construction using pine framing, and then an extensive portion is clad with untreated Cypress Pine. The pine timber is plantation pine and was selected due to its sustainable and practical benefits. It is naturally resistant to termites, does not require any sealing/oiling, chemical free, ethically sourced, lightweight and durable.

Other materials which embody a low carbon footprint, include rammed earth walls, polished concrete flooring and plywood ceilings. There were a handful of bricks saved from the previous house and these were used to build the landing step in the new home. A grey water system was also installed to service the garden watering.

This stunning home was also a finalist in the Perth Custom Built Home Award in its price category, as well as Innovation in Lightweight Housing Award.

To see more, visit the Derby project page on our website.