Stray Leaf House: revisited
Location | Forde, ACT Completed | January 2015
EER | 7.9 stars Area | house 113 m²; carport 20 m² ; block 356 m²
Builder | Jigsaw Housing Images | Ben Wrigley March 2022 & Rod Vargas June 2015
A Modular Trifecta
Margaret and John had purchased an ideally oriented block, it was so compact that it was one of the last vacant blocks available in the area. The modular design easily fell into place, creating a home that focused on northern passive solar access, but also carefully captured framed views of bushland and distant hilltops to the east and west so that the size of the block becomes irrelevant.
At just 113m² this home layout ‘works hard’. Flexibility is the key to space saving, with the lounge and second sitting area both able to open up or close down for shared or private use. The guest toilet combines with the laundry, and a generous study desk and storage bank shares the hallway space.
Thoughtful features of soft pelmet lighting and all white joinery increase the sense of space, light and warmth. A mini-courtyard garden at the entrance compliments this home’s connection to nature and the outdoors. Self-cleaning ‘hydrotect’ tiles, thoughtful storage nooks and one level makes life in the home easy and safe.
In October 2015, Stray Leaf House was featured in an article on Houzz.
“We were looking, unsuccessfully, for something small, smart and energy efficient… Choosing from among Light House’s modular room options streamlined the design process without compromising our objectives. By using their Co-Construct software, we were kept fully informed and engaged during the design stage and were able to have those unforeseen issues that invariably arise during a build dealt with quickly and efficiently ‘in house’. We moved in a few months ago, and are delighted with our house. We would happily recommend Light House to anyone wanting to design/build a home.”
Key features
2 bed, 2 living & 1 bath
356m² sloping site with orientation of north to the side
Single carport
2nd bedroom can be used as a multipurpose space or additional living area
Designed for low maintenance and age friendly accessibility/safety
Customised joinery including study nook, robes, kitchen and hallway storage
Floor finishes: concrete, tiles and carpet
All living space connect to the north facing timber deck and garden
Tailored to the compact site and designed to our client's brief and budget using out Light House Modular approach
Sustainability
EER 7.9 stars (heating /cooling load predicted to be 50% less than for a 6 star design the same size)
High levels of insulation in walls (R2.5) and ceilings (R5)
Burnished concrete floors (R1 insulation to slab underside & edge)
Thermal mass of slab used to regulate internal temperatures
Evacuated tube solar hot water system (electric boost)
2500L water tank plumbed to garden taps, laundry and toilets
1.5kW photovoltaic system
Vapour permeable building wrap to control moisture and reduce air movement past insulation
Testing to ensure building envelope integrity: thermographic inspection of insulation and fan depressurisation to ensure airtightness
PVC-Aluminium double glazed windows with high transmission low-e coating to living area windows
“We have a small, smart and energy efficient house, thanks to Light House. They were enthusiastic, committed to quality, and attentive to our ideas and needs throughout the entire design and build process. Having built before, we knew the importance of having an experienced builder of integrity committed to our project. Light House ensured this. We are delighted with our house.”