Design Philosophy
The objective of the VicUrban SAHI project was the design of housing prototypes that satisfied the competing demands of affordability, environmental performance and market appeal in the volume housing market. The compact, flexible models proposed by Zen are intended to be industry leaders in affordable and sustainable design, allowing a broader spectrum of people to enter the sustainable housing market.Zen proposed a flexible 3 bedroom terrace home of just 112m2; a stark contrast to the expansive floor areas of typical project homes. This design utilises the most compact block in a VicUrban subdivision (7.5m x 32m), which has a predominant orientation of north to the rear. The terrace typology lends itself well to energy efficiency, as shared walls are thermally insulated by neighbouring dwellings. The plan is typically mirrored along a row of dwellings to maximise shared wall and enlarge the sense of space from private outdoor areas. With some simple changes to the windows, this model can be adapted to different block orientations.
The generous height of the façade gives the house street presence while also providing a roof form optimised for solar panel integration. The rising volume in the rear living areas provides spatial delight while facilitating passive solar design. Flexible internal spaces allow for extra bedrooms or living areas to suit various household types.
Car access and parking at the rear creates a community oriented and interactive streetscape, while sustainable transport is promoted by secure bicycle storage ad the front of the house.
