Sustainable Architecture - Red Zephyr Blue House by CAPA Architects

From a conceptual point of view, the architects wanted the whole project to integrate both architecture and landscape, in everything from the perspective on the street to elements throughout the house. Having native and endemic flora and fauna was essential to the clients, and inspired the name of the house, “Red Zephyr”, from the red and blue dragonflies that appeared during the build.

A blend of low-maintenance brickwork, stone, timber, and plants was specified to harmonise with the natural environment, and so that the retired couple will not have to worry about the upkeep of the materials, instead focusing on the gardening of this dense landscape. The earthy palette is grounding throughout the home, with a mix of brickwork, dark stone on the ground, timber finishes and concrete. The use of mass material and then the lightness of the roof give a weightless quality to the house. The dark stone and opportunities for north light also warm the home during the mild, yet chilly, winters.

CAPA architects Justin Carrier and Steve Postmus designed a passive cooling system that uses vents in the roof and three cow troughs filled with water beside the house.

The Red Blue Zephyr name is inspired from the red and blue dragonflies that appeared during the build.

A blend of low-maintenance brickwork, stone, timber, and plants was specified to harmonise with the natural environment.

Connecting with the naturalist endemic landscape and native flora and fauna, the architects considered the growing garden as part of the build, from the trellis which over time will be covered with native climbing vines. Meanwhile, the central courtyard has a pond to help introduce native frogs back to the area and endemic species from the region. Trees will eventually provide a canopy in the courtyard to allow for natural shade.

Programmatically, each room in the house has its own function, intentionally resisting an open-plan layout to giving the rooms individual purpose. From the library room, dining, kitchen, and music room, to the artist studio upstairs, the rooms were designed for their specific uses and provided a welcome challenge for the architects. Materials were specifically chosen precisely for each room, further enhancing their sense of considered functionality.

To balance this sense of separation, timber provides continuity. Both the living rooms and bedrooms have sleek, minimal timber bookcases, owned by the clients since their first build, which were integrated into the new design. This timber runs flush throughout the house, continuing with music shelves in the front room which has windows opens to the south for the colder months or the ample living and library room in the back, which allows in the northerly morning sun.

Employing passive design principles and an innovative natural cooling system combined with a sensitive attention to the native flora of the area, RZB House is deeply influenced by the environment in which it rests.