Jones

Channel glass atrium and skylight — Double glazed skylight and U-form stained glass atrium

The project involved a complete restructuring to meet the Passive House requirements and the client’s needs, with an emphasis on sustainability.

Although the finished project did not receive official PassivHaus accreditation, it earned a 7.1 Star rating under the Australian NATHERS energy efficiency rating tool, indicating its high level of energy efficiency. The renovation incorporated several energy-saving techniques, such as airtightness, triple glazed glass, thermal bridging, and two types of insulation, to retain thermal energy inside the home and reduce energy consumption.

In addition to energy efficiency, the renovation also paid tribute to the building’s warehouse heritage by combining industrial elements, such as exposed steel beams and metal finishes, with natural timbers.

The ground floor was divided into separate spaces, including bedrooms, a study, bathroom, and laundry, while the first floor featured an open, expansive living area with city views and outdoor living space.

Overall, the renovation successfully achieved a high level of sustainability, energy efficiency, and functionality while creating an aesthetically pleasing living space.

Warm light evening moment, passive warehouse West Melbourne — Neon light in void space

Info

Project Team: Jim Stewart & Cath Matthews – DiMase Architects
Contractor: PM&R Builders Phil Murdoch
Lighting: Relume – John Ford.
Structural: Maurice Farrugia & Associates.
Building Surveyor: RBS / REDDO – Glenn Driscoll
Land Surveyor: Adept Surveying – Jeremey Pearce
Photographer: Trevor Mein
Recognition: Shortlist – Victorian Chapter Architecture Awards – Additions & Alterations; Shortlist – Victorian Chapter Architecture Awards – Sustainable Architecture; Finalist – Architecture and Design Awards
Publications: Sanctuary Magazine, Issue 34 – Low Energy Warehouse; Architecture and Design 2016 – Low Energy Warehouse

Neon light upon collector objects and furnishings.

View to light filled brick atrium with bicycle — Bicycle in light filled brick atrium

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Timber cladding, warehouse courtyard and balcony.

Void space window view out to West Melbourne — Warm light in internal void space, view out to West Melbourne skyline

Threshold entry, channel glass and timber partition.

Neon light 'Gezellig' in void space — Neon light ‘Gezellig’ in void space

Details

Project Type: Warehouse Refurbishment
Completion: 2016; Full Architectural Services
Location: West Melbourne / City of Melbourne
Energy Rating: 7.1 Stars NATHERS
Site Area: 187m²
Building Area: 152m²
Client Brief: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 1 Laundry, Living, Dining and Kitchen, 1 Study,1 Car Space
Main Materials: UForm – Translucent glaze, brick, timber
Notable Suppliers: Windows and Doors – European Windows and Doors; Joinery – Design Excellence, David Elliot

Anna Cumming, Sanctuary Magazine Issue 34 2014

John and Kate sought to retain the industrial character of the warehouse, which has had several past factory-based lives while making it a comfortable and energy-efficient ‘machine for living in’.

Continues

For Architect Antony DiMase, one of the real achievements of the project is that though it followed the Passive House approach, “it’s not engineer-driven, which many Passive Houses can be – it’s architecturally pleasing.”