Product
LowE Plus with Clear for highest clarity and visible light transmittance – while also excellent Insulation performance (low U-Value).
Specification
- Outer: 6mm Clear Toughened
- Spacer: 12mm Warm Edge + Argon Gas
- Inner: 6mm LowE Plus Toughened
Site Address
Flinders, VIC 3929
Fabricator
Builder
Architect
Photos courtesy of
Challenge
Archier’s brief was to design this home to match the unique lifestyle and expectations of retired architects with clear aspirations. The couple desired a home that fostered connection and independence, facilitated comfortable guest space, and effectively insulated them from their immediate surroundings.
The project, however, had its challenges. The site location, in the heart of Flinders next to a busy road, necessitated a design approach to shield the occupants from the outside world.
Solution
Archier’s solution was a striking design concept that veered away from the traditional external environment focus and instead oriented the house around an internal landscape.
The novel design employed a dark fibre cement-clad façade with a warm timber interior to buffer against external noise and enhance privacy. Its layout was equally experimental, utilising living areas in each corner of the dwelling connected by gallery-like walkways. This innovative floor plan allowed for diverse experiences and routines within the house, essential for the clients transitioning into retirement.
Archier director, architect Chris Gilbert, says one of the standout features of the Corner House is the strategic use of Insulglass LowE Plus® Clear insulated glazing.
“We prioritised sustainability and energy efficiency in the design, and this high-performance glazing solution played a pivotal role.”
Gilbert says using the LowE Plus Clear insulated glazing system enabled the design of the property’s showstopper – the meticulously crafted internal courtyard. This carefully considered space delivers an ever-changing, immersive experience with varied planting that changes colour with the seasons.
This courtyard, framed by the energy efficient Insulglass LowE Plus® Clear glazing, provides enchanting views from the house’s interior. The glazing effectively brought the outdoors in by allowing a clear, unobstructed view of the courtyard, creating an illusion of a larger space within a modestly sized house. Moreover, the glazing’s inherent insulating properties maintain a comfortable internal temperature year-round, reducing reliance on energy-intensive heating and cooling systems.
Gilbert says the superior thermal performance of the double glazed timber windows, nestled within the unique Structural Insulated Panel Systems (SIPS) construction, was key to reducing energy consumption and enhancing the home’s overall sustainability.
The Corner House project exemplifies how the strategic use of Insulglass LowE Plus® insulated glazing systems influences not just a house’s sustainability and energy efficiency but also its aesthetic appeal. Despite its proximity to a busy suburban area, the Corner House delivered a private, tranquil oasis that fosters connection and independence for its occupants, embodying their vision for their retirement years.
Commendation: Residential Architecture – The Design Files Awards
Shortlisted: New House Under 200m2 – Houses Awards
Shortlisted: The Living Space – INDE Awards
Winner: Residential New Up to $1M – ArchiTEAM Awards
Winner: Harold Desbrowe-Annear Awards for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) – Victorian Architecture Awards
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