Location, location. Why we chose Wright.

In 2016, Jenny, David, their three kids aged 17, 14 and 11 and Zac (aged 2) were living in diabolically energy inefficient rental properties and wondering “where to next?” as they wheezed their way through another winter and sweltered through another summer, while paying annoyingly large electricity and gas bills. The eldest child was about to depart for tertiary study in Melbourne. Number two was at high school in Weston and heading to Canberra College in 2018. Number three was about to start high school in Deakin. Jenny was super keen to test the building science and architectural insights she had been sharing with others for the previous eight years on a smaller, smarter, sustainable new build of her own. David was keen to create a home where everybody could be comfortable, healthy and productive (he had another book on the go and was longing for a temperature stable office to work in).

Number 55 Peter Cullen Way in Wright was perfect in many ways:

1. it was close to schools and local facilities were being developed (meanwhile, Cooleman Court was just 4.5 km away). People tend to imagine Molonglo is miles away but it is just 10km from the ANU.

2. it was on the doorstep of the magnificent Mount Stromlo and the Molonglo River corridor, not to mention the Arboretum and Namarag, with all of their walking and riding opportunities. (We walk 150 metres west, past four houses, before hitting one of our three local parks and then entering Mt Stromlo Forest Park, just 400 m away!)

3. it had lovely neighbours (we had recently designed and overseen the construction of the house immediately to the west of #55, and prior to that, the home diagonally to the south-west. We had done five other projects in Wright for groups who all raved about the location)

4. it was a block that many said was “too small” or “too difficult” to do a highly energy efficient, family home — Jenny LOVES a challenge!

(5. after we moved in we discovered the sky is enormous up here. The sunsets over Stromlo are glorious and from Argus Park we can watch the weather roll in from all directions. We will really miss this surprising bonus when we move.)

The rest is kind of history (and you can read about the experiments Jenny conducted in their own home via some of the other blog links here) but to give you an idea of just how great a location it is, check out the list below.

Educational Facilities

· Charles Weston Primary School – 1 km walk/ride

· Evelyn Scott High School – 2.4 km walk/ride

· Canberra College – 30 min door to door, walk/bus/walk

· ANU – 10 km bike ride along the Molonglo River and Lake Burley Griffin

Leisure/Family Facilities

· Playgrounds aplenty

o Argus Park Playground – 280 m

o Wright Children’s Park – 280 m

o Judith Wright Park – 280 m

o Ruth Park (mega playground) – 1.4 km

o Bidjiwang Nature Playground, Namarag – 5 km