Pettit & Sevitt Revival
Another light-filled and light-footed home within the existing footprint
BEFORE: 3 star 18.3 ACH @50Pa 170m2 - 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 living area home
AFTER: 7.4 star 9.8 ACH @50Pa 170m2 - 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 living area home
The original home was a 1967 Petitt & Sevitt Lowline that had been extended in the 1980s with little regard for solar passive design and energy efficiency. The clients’ priority wasn’t a bigger home, but rather to improve their quality of life by increasing its energy efficiency and redesigning the floor plan to improve flow, family connectedness, storage and gain better access to the winter’s northern sun. They loved the mid-century modernist design and were keen to remain sympathetic to its heritage by retaining original features such as the exposed beams, clean lines and wooden floors and window frames.
Before and After floor plans for the Pettit & Sevitt Revival
The home retained its existing footprint and external walls. The photovoltaic system, ceiling fans, reverse-cycle split-system, towel rails and some doors were salvaged and reused in the new home. The original wood-framed windows were also re-used - re-glazed, re-sealed, trimmed, and reinstalled with new mechanisms.
The home is all-electric, collects rainwater for the toilets, laundry and garden, and has efficient LED lighting throughout.
The EER has increased from 3 to 7.4 stars. Carbon emissions per person are 20% of a typical Canberra family. The house is energy positive - generating almost twice as much energy as it uses. The original building was poorly insulated and draughty, with an airtightness of 18.3ACH@50Pa. Post-renovation the air leakage rate has reduced to 9.8 and the clients report a significant improvement in comfort.
The project in a nutshell
Sustainability features:
retained existing footprint - no extension
retained original house frame and external wall cladding
salvaged and reused doors and windows, ceiling fans, appliances, lights, reverse-cycle split system, towel rails, solar PV system
timber double-glazed windows
high levels of insulation
recycled timber floors and kitchen benchtop from Thor’s Hammer
5000L tank plumbed to the laundry, toilets and gardens.
water efficient 4 star 4.5/3L dual flush toilets, and 4 and 5 star kitchen and basin mixers
Services: (all electric)
ceiling fans
hot water heat pump
RCAC split system
all LED lighting
induction cooking
Building envelope materials & construction:
Floor: suspended timber – R2 bulk insulation added
External walls: R2.5 bulk insulation
Internal walls: plasterboard - R1.5 bulk insulation
Ceiling: R5 insulation
Glazing: double-glazed timber frames, U 2.3, SHGC 0.35
Internal envelope thoroughly sealed including removing ceiling penetrations, vents, ducts and downlights
Below are some great before and after photos. See more photos of this reno here.
