Sustainability Awards 2023: HIGHLY COMMENDED Single Dwelling (Alteration) – Copa Came in from the Cold Envirotecture were thrilled to recently receive a #highlycommended at the 2023 Sustainability Awards in the Single Dwelling (Alteration) category! Copa
Sustainability Awards 2023: HIGHLY COMMENDED Single Dwelling (Alteration) – Copa Came in from the Cold
Envirotecture were thrilled to recently receive a #highlycommended at the 2023 Sustainability Awards in the Single Dwelling (Alteration) category!
Copa Came In From The Cold is an exemplar of the possibilities for the renovation of poor performing Australian homes, part of a developing series of deep retrofits from Envirotecture.
Celebrating the dramatic form of the original design was a key strategy, not only to control costs but also to limit waste.
The removal of a poorly conceived bedroom allowed for the kitchen to visually extend through a casual living space to a voluminous outdoor room with a northerly aspect, connection to majestic trees and overlooking the existing interestingly shaped pool to the west.
This natural extension of the existing geometry towards the pool was repeated again towards the south to provide the additional space needed for a bedroom suite.
The original cladding was no longer available so retaining every piece that was removed so that extended walls could be blended in was critical to avoiding the waste and cost of recladding the entire home. Strategic walls were clad with a new vertical profile board that contrasts nicely against the wider. Horizontal and more traditional weatherboards.
All windows were replaced with certified Passive House windows with double glazing with lower heat gain values. The air tight, inward opening windows are key to the thermal performance along with the provision of insulation to all walls, roofs and floors; both new and existing. Reliable ventilation ensures a good night’s sleep!
Our clients were happy with the recognition, but the real WIN is how they describe the experience of living in their home now:
“Thank you to all involved, we love living in this comfortable house. The thermal improvement of the house has been extraordinary. Whereas before, the wood stove had to burn 24/7 in winter to make the house bearable, we now get away with a blast of RCAC heat in the early mornings and evenings in the winter. In the summer it is just wonderful to sit on the new deck with the cool south easterly breeze blowing through.”
Big thanks to our builder@lou.projects and congratulations to the whole team involved!
