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Perth Architects Win National Award for Affordability Solution
Media Release
For immediate release
September 13, 2007:
Perth-based architectural practice Iredale Pedersen Hook has delivered a clever design solution to Perth’s housing affordability crisis and won a nation design award for the innovative scheme.
IPH nominated the median house price of $498,000 as the basis for their design. “Our objective was to come up with an affordable solution that could be achieved within current legislation, using current planning and construction systems, so that it’s a very realistic proposition,” says Adrian Iredale.They identified a type of site that is ripe for development – a block in a typical middle ring suburb with a “fatigued” project home built in the 1970s – about 15km from the city, a couple of kilometres from the beach, with shopping and other services nearby.
“We would subdivide and split the land down the middle because those properties tend to be large, so that the new owners would pay about $250,000 for the block,” Iredale explains. “We are making the point that it’s possible to redensify from anywhere: it’s no longer necessary to start from the centre and work outwards.”
“This house can start off quite modestly and the owners can build on modules as the family grows,” Iredale continues. “The parents could shift into the granny flat at the back when their children are adults and want to occupy the house in front. In effect, we are trying to future-proof the house.”
Inside, the floors and walls are made of brick, using methods already deployed in Europe and Asia, Iredale says. They provide improved thermal mass, natural light and natural ventilation outcomes. “With the sustainability agenda that’s emerging, there is a new emphasis on brick as a long-lasting object.”
The layout of the home incorporates several courtyards along the length of the block to maximise northern orientation. Winter sun can penetrate the interiors while landscaping and screen walls are positioned to deter summer sun. The house achieves 8.1 stars under the AccuRate energy ratings assessment.
About Face is an annual design competition run by the Australian brick industry’s peak body – Think Brick Australia. Chief Executive Office Linda Ginger believes this year’s competition reveals the opportunities for brick in Australia.
“As an industry, we are excited to see such a high level of innovation in this competition and we believe brick has an exciting future as a sustainable and contemporary material, as Iredale Pedersen Hook has demonstrated.”
Sydney’s Neeson Murcutt Architects took out the overall award for a home that triples the density of an average suburban block and Adelaide’s Mulloway Studio picked up the Peer Award for a design concept for post-industrial housing in Port Adelaide.
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