With a focus on creating fun communal spaces this family home was transformed into a light filled house that placed emphasis on the shared internal and external spaces. The clients were willing to challenge themselves on the use of space allowing a number of functional areas that created a very comfortable home without resulting in a large footprint. The home was also designed to ensure wheelchair access via the rear deck and to the toilet.

 Cypress macrocarpa timber cladding salvaged from redundant wind breaks was used to clad the small extension to the rear of the home. An evacuated tube solar hot water system has been installed and 7,500 litres of rainwater is stored in slimline tanks along the side of the house. The rainwater is used not only for landscaping in summer but can also be used in the toilet and washing machine throughout the rest of the year.

The deck is constructed of modwood in lieu of hardwood or treated pine. Timber awnings were constructed from secondhand timber to provide shading to northern windows during summer. Minimal hardwood was used in structural framing through the use of laminated lumbers and windows and doors are framed using appropriately treated finger jointed pine products.

 The house was reconfigured to allow living areas to be oriented to the north for natural light and warmth in winter. The floors are second hand timber to match existing floor boards and installed over sub floor insulation. Floors are finished with a citrus based sealer in lieu of polyurethane or epoxy products producing a finish that is both beautiful and low in toxicity. The rest of the house is insulated throughout with R2 polyester batts to the walls and R3.5 polyester batts to ceiling. A single gas space heater heats the main living areas of the home and replaces and old, inefficient central heating unit.

 The bright kitchen includes a slide away breakfast bar to improve functionality of the space. A family communication centre is integrated into the kitchen allowing notices to be shared on the whiteboard and noticeboard.

The kitchen has a from laminate finish on a ply substrate; no MDF was used in the house, instead hoop pine ply and finger jointed pine products were chosen to reduce toxicity in the home and to support improved worker conditions during construction.

Water efficient fixtures and fittings were chosen including the new dishwasher, taps, shower heads, and a 3/4.5 dual flush toilet. The choice of light fittings allowed the use of compact fluorescent light globes throughout, achieving an average of 2.5 watts per square metre.

 A creative use of space allowed a functional study area to be designed overlooking the rear garden. Location of all new doors and windows allow good light and ventilation through the house. Double glazing was installed throughout and all windows and external doors were fitted with seals to reduce drafts

Toxicity in the home was reduced through the use of low VOC paints and timber was sealed with natural oils.