Wall and Wall House by Dane Design Australia is located on a rural site in Western Australia approximately 2 acres in size. Rammed limestone — a local material — has been chosen for its inherent beauty, good thermal mass and environmental benefits. The material mixes style and substance…
The site has a pre-defined building envelope with a northern orientation creating the perfect opportunity to capture the sun's heat by using thermal mass. The entire site is heavily treed and located in a high fire risk location, so it was also important the house be from a fire resistant material.
The design concept is very much about delivering a simple building. This started with the concept of unadorned blade walls on the west end, without openings or embellishments just simple solid monolithic structures to protect the rooms beyond from sun, wind and fire.
Rammed limestone was selected for these elements. This material ticked every box for this building - locally sourced, low toxic, a wonderful texture and natural colour and great thermal mass.
The same blade walls on the eastern end are conencted by running a simple mono-pitched roof between the groups of blade walls. This simple arrangement of strong wall and glass completes the external form of the building.
Insulated framed walls, cement rendered walls and more internal rammed earth walls are used to build up a high level of thermal mass and a balance of texture.
Concrete and timber floors, local timber on cabinets and high spec double glazed doors and windows deliver the basic elements of environmental and bushfire performance within a tasteful and minimal material pallete.
The northern terrace has a polycarbonate roof over a timber lined ceiling. The battens are spaced to allow sun and light through in winter but reduce sun penetration in summer.
The room arrangements set out are set out around an open plan living room with a small TV/activity room adjacent. Large internal sliding doors close or open this space as required depending on the use of the overall space. This alleviates one of the drawbacks of open plan space, making it more flexible.
Wall and Wall House incorporates a range of elements that reduce energy use and contribute to a more sustainable and healthy home: site orientation, high thermal mass, locally sourced materials, heavily insulated walls and ceiling, double glazing, low toxic sealers and paints and low energy use appliances. By allowing the availability of local materials to guide the design, Dane Design Australia have created a home that will feel grounded to its site and appropriate to its climate and location.