Hill End Ecohouse by Riddel Architecture

There is always an innate need to own the latest and greatest, this is the materialistic zeitgeist we live in. It asks a lot for something to relinquish the stigma of the used, to reuse and create something special. The Hill End Ecohouse by Queensland-based Riddel Architecture is a home constructed almost entirely from the house it replaced. A thoughtful design response, it holistically integrates with its site, climate and surrounds, whilst providing a flexible home designed for change according to the needs of the family within.

Situated in Hill End, inner Brisbane, the Ecohouse was built using 80 per cent of the salvaged material recycled from a 1930s house that originally occupied its narrow riverfront site. A painstaking deconstruction process resulted in only two non-reusable materials being discarded. Additional materials were sourced locally, undergoing rigorous environmental, social and economic assessment in support of a higher aptitude for life cycle thinking.

Relating to the subtropical Australian climate, the design of the Ecohouse over three storeys maximises openings to capture cool breezes, sun and daylight. Formally, the house is split in two halves, unified by a striking gallery breezeway which acts as a funnel for fresh air. Throughout the house, large windows look out towards a surrounding river landscape, whilst reducing the need for artificial light. The open-plan layout of the living spaces encourage an informal and relaxed lifestyle, warmed to the touch by a timber and tin aesthetic palette that draws back to the classic character of Queensland architecture. Within the building’s two distinct volumes, living spaces on the Southern end address the river near the site.

Spaces are efficiently yet poetically arranged along a strong lineal circulation spine on the Western side of the house. This gallery breezeway is not only an area of threshold, entry and transition, but also an informal living area in conjunction with the house’s courtyard. Bedrooms and living areas open out onto beautiful outdoor spaces with lush plantings, protected against the sun and rain by generous awnings, whilst the interior spaces are bathed in natural daylight thanks to the light-coloured finishes that create tranquil reflections. The separation of the sleeping areas into three distinct zones allows for a greater programmatic flexibility, giving the choice for occupants to use the house in different household-type functions with possibilities for a home business conversion.

As Hill End Ecohouse harnesses sustainability at the heart of its design, the project touches on many of today’s ESD issues, including energy generation and conservation, specification for low toxicity, durability and low maintenance, water collection, reticulation and recycling. The house holds an allusive 6-star energy efficiency rating and is self-sufficient without sacrificing aesthetic beauty or design intergrity. In terms of water and power usage, the building is entirely selfsufficient and incorporates a monitoring system to measure and control the building’s operational uses of electricity, gas and water, whilst keeping track of the temperature, humidity and carbon footprint. Photovoltaic panels line the Northfacing roof, generating around 15 kWh per day, an ample energy figure for the household’s daily requirements.

Artfully blending sustainable design principles with recycled building materials, the house uses recycled polyester bulk insulation and timber frames to reduce heat transfer. Heating is acquired and controlled via solar gains, polished concrete floors and well-insulated walls. A 60,000-litre rainwater storage supplies the whole house and garden, where water for the household is pre-filtered, heated by solar panels and stored for use. Water waste is reduced through utilising a hot water recirculation unit that reheats cold water, and greywater is treated and recycled on site.

A contemporary yet contextual North-facing street frontage, a vegetated trellis made using recycled timber from the original site creates a protective overhang for the balcony below. In a nod to all things recycled, the project turns waste into food, with landscaping features using woodchips from removed trees and gravel crushed from existing concrete slabs.

The idea of deconstructing an existing house to create a newer, livelier and sustainable home is an exciting venture. To then skillfully apply ecological design principles without any aesthetic compromise is a true triumph. It is in this thoughtful process of literally recycling the past for the future, that Riddel Architecture definitely deserves two green thumbs up. +

PHOTOGRAPHY Christopher Frederick Jones

1. Occupying a narrow site, the Northfacing street frontage is contemporary yet contextual, incorporating a vegetated trellis made from recycled timber. 2. Living areas open onto a generous terrace overlooking a lush river landscape under a protective canopy. 3. A strong lineal circulation spine on the Western side of the house forms a gallery breezeway, a funnel of fresh air which opens up to an adjacent courtyard. 4. Within the living zones of the house lies an elegant, stylish kitchen. 5. Materials have been recycled and lovingly restored, with many internal details and finishes in the walls and floors made from recycled content.