Sunnybanks House by Core Collective Architects

Project Feature

Middleton, TAS, Australia

Nestled in the luscious southern Tasmanian landscape of Middleton, Core Collective Architects have created a cleverly energy-efficient home, as a living and breathing totem of conscientious and responsible residential typologies, in the form of Sunnybanks House.

Designed as a green-change relocation for the client (from Sydney), Sunnybanks House delivers more than the expected, and at the centre of this is Core Collective Architects. Known for their sustainable approach and experimentation of efficiency principles to design, this project is by no means an exception. Rated as a 9-star energy building, the proof of its value comes into play in the harsh and unrelenting wild weather of Tasmania.

Rated as a 9-star energy building, the proof of the value of Sunnybanks House by Core Collective Architects comes into play in the harsh and unrelenting wild weather of Tasmania.

The site itself was also selected in collaboration with the architectural team, to ensure their knowledge of the area, optimisation of solar gain and understanding of wind, for example, were optimised in the design of the structure they proposed to sit amongst it. Sitting in amongst the undulating contours of the landscape, the massed walls centre around a built-in (and rightfully sheltered) outdoor entertaining area, with an encasing roof and outdoor fireplace for warmth.

Nestled in the luscious southern Tasmanian landscape of Middleton, Core Collective Architects have created a cleverly energy-efficient home.

The real star in this build is the use of a lesser-known architectural product called ‘clinka’. Utilised in sustainably conscious part of Europe for the past 50 years, the technology of the product allows for collection of energy, storage and a slow release. The warmth of the sun is captured, then stored in the insulated floors and walls, and then gradually released throughout the day and night. This remarkable combination allows for a bare-foot walk in the house in the middle of a Tasmanian winter. Which in itself is quite remarkable.

The real star in this build is the use of a lesser-known architectural product called ‘clinka’.

The architectural walls are made from clinkaBLOK, which have their own integrated insulation properties, and together with clinkaFILL, which is used in the underfloor slab and roof membranes; the shell of the building was complete. At the core of this unique technology is an internal cellular system made from expanded clay aggregate, which allows for heat gain and release. The high-energy rating is also achieved through triple-glazed timber-aluminium composite window frames from Outline, and orientation and clever planning on site.

The massed walls centre around a built-in outdoor entertaining area, with an encasing roof and outdoor fireplace for warmth.

The client’s collection of curated furniture, artwork, literature and music all needed to be showcased within the spaces, and was key to the design and planning. With views of the D’entrecasteaux Chanel and oriented to maximise the northern light, the palette is restrained, and sees a combination of concrete, steel, lime-rendered masonry elements and Tasmanian timbers all come together.

The client’s collection of curated furniture, artwork, literature and music all needed to be showcased within the spaces, and was key to the design and planning.

The mostly untouched landscapes of Tasmania are drawing more and more of Australian main-landers south, and there isn’t much dispute as to why. With more of us wanting to experience a disconnected (from cities, bustle and devices) life, the want for a connection to nature and the land is celebrated with gusto in Sunnybanks House.