2016 Houses Awards: Sustainability

Sustainability Fairfield House by Kennedy Nolan in collaboration with Sam Cox Landscape 2016 Houses Awards

Jury comment

Great effort and restraint have been practised in this outdoor environment, from the complete regeneration and rehabilitation of a bushland setting with endemic species to the experimental bio-pool that required extensive research and commitment.

A microclimate was created with a sensitive hand, demonstrating that a small outdoor project can impact significantly on the natural environment. This project is an exemplar for all the community – it advocates an approach to design and the environment that is accessible and does not rely on high technology, and it embraces an attitude that is distinctly Australian. With a sensitive hand and mind we can have our piece of nature, preserve it and share it with others.

The riverbanks have been stabilized and the fauna returned to a familiar and safe environment. The garden is watered naturally by rain and the pool is serviced by solar tubing and power offset by photovoltaic cells. This is a rare project that generously offers an authentic approach to celebrating and preserving our natural ecosystem. It achieves this to the benefit of surrounding properties that now enjoy a small fragment of the Australian bush.

See full image galleries of all the winning and shortlisted projects here.

Award for Sustainability is supported by Knauf.

Credits

Project
Fairfield House
Architect
Kennedy Nolan Architects
Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Project Team
Patrick Kennedy, Rachel Nolan
Consultants
Landscaping Sam Cox Landscaping
Pool Distinctive Pools and Spas and Natural Pools
Site Details
Location Melbourne,  Vic,  Australia
Project Details
Status Built
Category Residential
Type New houses, Outdoor / gardens

Source

Award

Published online: 22 Jul 2016
Images: Derek Swalwell

Issue

Houses, July 2016

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