Thorn Place House (Jenny's former home)
Two-homes-in-one, with potential for a third, on an 832 m2 RZ1 block
Location | Curtin, ACT Date completed | September 2011
EER | 7.5 stars (started at 2.5) Area | From 177m² to 186m²
Builder | Jigsaw Housing Images | Rod Vargas
Awards | 2012 Mervyn Willoughby Thomas Architecture Award for Renovation - Commendation
2014 ACT Sustainable Cities Award for Residential Buildings - Commendation
Featured | Australian Government Your Home Technical Guide Case Study & Sanctuary Magazine Issue 20, 2012
Adaptation was the key
Mindful of the future, the clients also wanted an adaptable home that could be split into two self-contained units – providing a potential source of income, or independent living for their children, rather than becoming an empty nest.
To achieve these aims, we kept upstairs changes to a minimum and reworked the downstairs floor plan: relocating the kitchen to the former living area, expanding the lounge room space, and moving the upper storey stairs to the hallway.
Improved natural light, a full kitchen refit and the addition of an expansive deck, accessible by ramp, have vastly improved the home’s liveability.
New insulation, improved solar access and hydronic heating have delivered substantial improvements in energy performance: electricity consumption has halved, and the home has achieved an 8-star rating for the downstairs areas and a 7-star rating for the upper floor.
This home (designed as two-residences-in-one) still has a large backyard and space for a secondary residence. Jenny’s vision was that she would age-in-place on the ground floor (with ramp access at the front to cater for future mobility issues - she’s had three hip replacements as of 2021) sharing a garden, laundry and an electric car between three small groups (individuals, couples, small families). A high density, low carbon, co-housing community in an established suburb. We need much more of this.
*This project was selected as the ACT Case Study in the Australian Government’s publication Your Home: Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable homes and was featured in Sanctuary Magazine Issue 20 in late 2012. You can read a blog about how it copes in the summer heat here and the winter cool here.
Key Features
Renovation | Floor plan reconfigured and ground floor ceiling increased to improve light, warmth and connection to the outdoors, while improving overall energy efficiency
Extension | 9.2m² added to existing footprint to increase size of living room and entry
826m² flat site with north orientation to the street
Customised joinery throughout existing house and extension including 'close-away' study nooks
Large internal sliding doors allow separation of living areas
Designed with the ability to transform one family home into two separate units, each with their own northern terrace
Future planning for 'aging in place' with wheelchair access to the ground floor
Tailored to the site and designed to our client's brief and budget
Sustainability
Recycling/reuse of old stairs, kitchen and bathroom
Reuse of all white goods
Bamboo flooring
High performance lead-free PVC windows (tilt and turn, tilt and slide mechanisms)
Recycled polystyrene insulation retrofitted to existing walls
Hydronic heating
Ceiling fans
LED lighting
Solar hot water
Shared laundry
Water tanks plumbed to toilet and laundry
Low VOC finishes throughout
“The combination of architect/expert client has shown how a thoughtful renovation and garage addition emphasises modern comfort.”