Lochiel Park Affordable Housing
An exemplar project of how good architectural design can have a range of incredible measurable and non-measurable benefits, and winner of the Newell Platten Award for Multiple Housing in the South Australian Architecture Awards 2012, the Lochiel Park Affordable Apartments provide twenty-three residences offering a range of best practice sustainable technologies.
Each home has living spaces facing north, and adheres to passive design principals with a very high level of energy (and water) efficiency and innovative technology resulting in a reduced ecological footprint.
Greenway developed an innovative natural ventilation system providing passive cross ventilation to each residence, reducing the need for air conditioning. A ventilation stack positioned centrally in the apartment is assisted by a roof mounted rotary ventilator, and is used in combination with the opening windows in the living spaces and bedrooms. Ventilation is controlled via motorised louvres linked to the AC system.
The project achieved 7.5 stars using the AccuRate system of measurement.
All rainwater is collected in two large underground tanks and connected to the solar hot water units (grouped together in blocks of three or four). Recycled (ASR) water in lilac piping is used for toilet flushing and irrigation, and will be drawing water from the adjacent wetlands. Mains water is also connected for cold water use.
Each apartment has a pulse metering to all water supplies (and gas) to provide realtime feedback of water consumption, gas and electricity resource monitoring. The display screen is mounted on a feature plywood wall in the kitchen area, and the services backbone in the linen press off the hall.
In addition to the services technologies, careful selection of building materials and finishes maintains a consistent Eco approach across the project. The environmental aspirations are figuratively represented by the brightly coloured triangular roof which links the apartment blocks and hold the photo voltaic panels for electricity collection and solar hot water.
Also winning the Urban Design Institute of Australia Environmental Excellence Award in 2011, Lochiel Park is a model for future development, with an honest use of natural materials with minimal decoration. Reverse veneer walls with blockwork and custom orb, polished concrete floors, Super -E0 plywood joinery and skirtings, timber framed doors and windows with low-E glass, recycled plastic screens, and xeriscape landscaping are also featured.
Original Concept Design by Phillips Pilkington Architects.
