Description
Butterfly sits on a rural plot in north east Victoria, off the grid and with no town services to draw on. As Steffen Welsch Architects' first significant sustainable project, the rammed earth house is a study in working environmentally sustainable design into every layer of a tight brief.
The harsh climatic conditions of the site shaped a simple, compact form, paired with innovative materials chosen for their thermal performance, careful solar control, and on-site water collection and treatment. Standardised building elements held the build to a constrained budget and timetable while cutting construction waste during the build.
The roof was prefabricated, which let the ceilings span large and column-free and pulled time off the on-site programme. A single heater carries the residence through winter, with passive solar design and thermal mass doing the rest, so the home does not rely on air conditioning for comfort. The household runs entirely on rainwater, with 110,000 L of tank storage built into the design from the outset.
The home covers 160 m² over two levels and was completed in 2005.
Architect: Steffen Welsch, Steffen Welsch Architects.
Photography: Derek Swalwell and Dan Stainsby.
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Details
- Project Size: 160 m²
- Building Levels: 2
- Completion Date: 2005
- Photographer: Derek Swalwell; Dan Stainsby
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Backed by industry specialists, it’s where you can engage in meaningful conversation, make connections, showcase your work, gain expert insights, and tap into curated opportunities to advance your career or strengthen your studio.
