A split-level living space, white and wood tones, as well as sustainable design defines this beautiful Sydney home.
31 August 2017
Home Type: Semi-detached house in Sydney
Text by Holly Cunneen
Photography by Katherine Lu
For the residents of this spacious abode in Sydney, planning their new home coincided with planning a family. Thanks to Matt Day of Day Bukh Architects, the final outcome is more than just ‘pretty as a picture’.
A connection to the garden and outdoors was top of the list for these working professionals, who have since enjoyed coming home during the week and spending their weekends at home enjoying the light-filled interiors, or in and around the garden.
“The site sloping downwards of over two metres from front to back meant a split level house was possible,” says Matt. As a result they were able to add the first floor with a second bathroom and two additional bedrooms (at the time they were not only planning a renovation but a family, too – now they have both). The new master bedroom upstairs boasts enviable views of the Sydney skyline to the north.
But it wasn’t north facing for the sole purpose of an amazing view. Kiran and Michael took this opportunity to fashion a home that was as passive as possible, with a reduced amount of energy consumption. “The living room and master bedroom are orientated to the north with highlight glazing to the east, for maximum solar penetration in winter, and to enhance cross ventilation,” says Matt. “The concrete slab of the living dining room acts as the thermal mass.”
There are high levels of insulation in the home, various shading devices, FSC timber and natural (sisal) flooring on the upper level. There is a solar-boosted hot water system and rainwater storage that is reused for flushing toilets and irrigation. There was also a big, client-driven push towards using handmade products and working with locally based craftsmen, as well as re-using existing materials.
More about Day Bukh Architects here.
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