A Testament to Sustainable and Resilient Architecture

The Govetts Leap Bach epitomises the synthesis of sustainable principles and technologies with striking architectural character. We talk to Alexandra Woods (Architect, Anderson Architecture) on this single residential dwelling, located on Dharug and Gundungurra country in Blackheath, NSW, and how it demonstrates traditional passive principles.

Govetts Leap Bach “highlights that sustainability does not represent a compromise on design or comfort."- Alexandra Woods, Architect at Anderson Architecture

Designed with passive and Passivhaus principles at its core, this compact 81-square-metre home responds to the duality of its context—its situation on a residential block amidst three immediate neighbours and its greater Blue Mountains bushland environment. The home's overall massing, form, and materiality address its bushfire-prone setting and the wide range of climatic conditions in the Mountains, balancing amenity with privacy. Woods explains, "Linked wings with steeply sloping opposing roof pitches have been designed to shed fallen leaves and ignitable debris, host an 8.61kW solar array linked to a Tesla Powerwall to power the home, and provide internal ceiling heights that balance the compact floorplan spatially."

A high-performance, airtight envelope, insulated with mineral wool and featuring Foamglas insulation, thermally isolates the walls from the slab. BAL-FZ-rated double-glazed timber windows reduce the home's embodied energy and ongoing demand. The inclusion of a ducted Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system ensures constant tempered fresh air, with an additional removable filter to assist in bushfire smoke filtration. This meticulous attention to detail demonstrates that sustainability is not an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of the design.

Govetts Leap Bach directly influences people, communities, and place through its design and construction. The clients value the constancy and predictability of its indoor environment, with the home employing Passivhaus principles to maintain year-round comfort. The aesthetics and form of the house provide an opportunity to influence the wider community. As Woods observed, "Passersby often make the effort to talk to our clients and admire the house, providing the opportunity for connection with the wider community."

The design evolved from the concept of having two wings extending north to capture daylight and south to connect with and frame views of the adjacent bushland. The spaces within the wings follow the sun, with sunlight admitted into the main bedroom through a central courtyard. An entry link provides access between the wings while framing a bushland view from the front door. Soaring ceilings counter the home's modest footprint, ensuring spatial comfort. The construction faced challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, rain, and snow, yet the resilience of the design prevailed.

Resilience is a key aspect of Govetts Leap Bach, addressing both the changing climate and the bushfire risk. The home employs external materials requiring minimal maintenance and internal finishes selected for durability and resilience. Woods emphasised, "Its resilience to our clients makes a real difference, ensuring they are not subject to temperature or humidity extremes."

The impetus for the project came from the clients, avid rock-climbers from New Zealand, who wanted a sustainable and durable base in the Blue Mountains. The focus on health and well-being within the home aligned well with the team's ideals, aiming to create a healthy indoor environment. The clients' openness to considering innovative materials, processes, and technologies facilitated a holistic approach to the home's design.

Govetts Leap Bach combines high environmental performance with striking architectural design, demonstrating that compact living can enhance inhabitants' lives. Through clever design, smaller built footprints requiring fewer resources to construct and run can feel open and functional. The project team collaborated with a bushfire consultant and employed thermal modelling early in the design process, ensuring an informed approach to resilience and energy efficiency.

This project champions the idea that smaller, well-designed spaces can be ideal, promoting a greater respect for the environment through its sustainability credentials. Govetts Leap Bach not only communicates its resilient nature to the local community but also fosters communication and connection. It respects its context through its modest footprint and integration with the bushland, demonstrating that sustainability and architectural excellence can go hand in hand.

K5 is the proud sponsor of the INDE Influencer category in the 2024 programme. The shortlisted projects, such as Govetts Leap Bach, embody our company ethos; create only when necessary and always consider the impacts on the future. Congratulations Anderson Architecture.