The Doors are Open in Cairns for Sustainable House Day 2015

This custom design, like all of our designs, is designed with passive design principles inherently. Nestled at the foot of Earl Hill, in Bluewater Estate, The Kai is based on a standard design and adapted for use as a display home with a difference.

At Kenick, whilst we are passionate about building great homes specifically designed for the tropics, we are also not afraid to take risks with design and use of materials to deliver a product which no-one has seen in Cairns before.

A contemporary and interesting exterior invites you in to the spacious open plan high- ceilinged main living space which opens seamlessly onto the large entertaining areas and water features which the home wraps around. Cool and comforting sounds of trickling water from the water feature linking the Trex deck to the home assists in not only a calming atmosphere, but also serves the purpose of cooling the air as the wind passes over the water.

The secondary bedrooms and bathroom have their own wing of the house, which is separated by a sound insulated wall and additional feature door from the living area.

A gourmet kitchen with separate pantry and laundry area is meticulously executed. Whilst tucked away at the quiet end of the home is the master bedroom which opens out onto the ambiently lit Trex deck, huge walk in robe and sumptuously decadent en-suite featuring floor to ceiling black porcelain tiles, spa bath, huge double shower which opens into the garden with large bi-fold doors.

Custom made awnings shade the rear elevation from the afternoon sun, and the home captures the natural breezes all year round by ample use of louvres, sliding glass doors and open plan interior. Grey glass and A25 film to living area contribute to the 9 star energy rating and the high level of comfort within the home. In addition, this stunning tropical home incorporates wide exterior eaves, light colours, cross-ventilation in all rooms and internal doors to promote airflow and cooling without resorting to air-conditioning.

MyStyle Homes are the proud creators incorporating energy-and water-efficient state-of-the-art technologies into a small home with liveability longevity that will appeal to a wide range of buyers from across all demographics. The home is designed using environmentally responsible ideas, principles and building techniques and products.

This GreenSmart accredited display home includes
– MyPower Station, A stand alone battery storage solar power station with mains power only as a backup.
– Solar assisted hot water system and air conditioners
– 100% energy-efficient lighting throughout
– Solar comfort heat reflection glazing
– Heat reflection paint externally with low voc
– Non-allergen finishes
– Higher-than-normal 2.8 ceilings
– Louvered windows throughout
– Internal wall louvers for cross ventilation
– Full R4.0 insulated ceilings including garage and patio
– Passive cooling incorporating wind wall screens to capture breezes
– 5000 ltr rainwater storage tank
– Grey-water management system with rain station system fitted
– Water saving showers and taps
– Mineral water pool with 3 speed enviro pump and rainwater top-up system
– Solar pool cover to reduce evaporation
– Drought tolerant host plants
– All lawn areas are environmental turf grass which requires less watering
– Raised herb and vegetable gardens, nourished by rain and grey-water, a fully functional compost system and worm farm
– Interior styled specifically with sustainably produced furniture, rugs, home-wares and linens

Set on a secluded and private lot on the flanks of Mt Whitfield, this home is for a professional couple and regular guests who include extended family and friends. Principle aims of this low budget home included simple, elegant and unpretentious form, easy access, minimum impact on site, sustainability and low maintenance. The design strives for relaxed ambience, structural honesty, plentiful natural light and airflow, and generous reference to the site and the forest.

To cater for ‘aging in place’ for the owners and to avoid deep excavation and tanking necessary for a multi-level structure, it was decided to bring vehicles to the single floor level.

Retention of most of the existing forest, combined with subdued colours has resulted in a building which is virtually invisible from the city below. The layout was arranged to maintain significant large trees including a 40m Terminalia and even larger Quandong.

Views over the city are through ‘windows’ in the forest.

Three pavilions separated by breezeways form the single level of the home suspended above the natural slope. The central living pavilion opens to the forest outlook and through a full glass wall, and also connects seamlessly to the outdoor living breezeway. Outdoor dining overlooks the slightly lower lounge ‘treehouse’ which rests under a large canopy roof and is open on all sides. The main bedroom and ensuite pavilion is accessed across this breezeway and features framed views of the adjoining rock face which becomes a wet season cascade.

Guest bedrooms and shared ablution facilities comprise the west pavilion which is separated from the living area by the entry breezeway and laundry/drying area.

Orientation is north/south and hence sun penetration into the building is negligible. Cross breezes are channelled through any part of the home and controlled with extensive opening windows which include casements and louvres for added control.

Generous roof overhangs allow all windows to remain open in all but the most extreme weather conditions.

The building ‘floats’ on its’ galvanised steel support structure which carries through from the ground to the roof ensuring minimum site disturbance, low maintenance and structural integrity. Completion of the roof early in the construction process afforded weather protection for the following trades. Other than the laminated timber beams in the main living space all structural spans are very short and hence structural sizes are small.

Easy care and low maintenance is achieved with a flat roof for easy access to the pv installation, solar hot water, membrane canopy and gutters. Also, Colorbond steel external cladding, aluminium windows and galvanised exposed structure all reduce maintenance demand.

Sustainability is enhanced with long term low maintenance materials, low voc paints, sustainably harvested or plantation grown timber, locally sourced natural stone retaining walls and a pv installation which provides most power requirements.

Extensive daylight enters the house through large areas of glass, translucent roof materials over the entry, laundry and deck and due to the single room depth of the building.

Suspended above the forest floor, living in this home is akin to life on a roofed platform within the rainforest canopy. A relaxed and easy ambience contributes to a harmonious relationship between the house and its occupants.