Dachshund House
Dachshund House seeks to challenge the paradigm of suburban development in a semi-arid environment outside Tamworth, NSW.
As the site was procured early in a staged subdivision, the locality was largely devoid of built context save for the impending march of brick and tile project homes. On recommendation our clients had selected a block with north to the rear and potential views to a mountain range beyond.
A core component of the brief asked for a lush green lawn for future children to play on. Being in the middle of a severe drought (with grass replaced by dirt and bindies), we sought to future proof this valued space by maximising the roof plane for rainwater harvesting, minimising the lawn to a manageably watered area, elevating it above the rest of the ground plane and protecting it from the western sun by the house itself.
Like the eponymous dachshund Ted chasing the sun, the floor plan stretches around the courtyard to introduce northern light into every habitable room. The added cost of the courtyard form is offset by reducing the reliance on air conditioning through the ability to passively heat spaces in winter and draw evaporatively cooled breezes through each wing in summer.
East and west flanks of the house were kept low, received minimal openings and clad in surfmist custom orb to reflect harsh low sun and provide privacy to immediate neighbours. The northern facades received generous raised decks, deep soil garden beds, wide raking eaves and a warm change to ply cladding to transition to from tough exterior to soft warm interior.
The raised ridge line down the middle of the house became a sort of vertical datum, announcing the entry, segmenting the house and resulting in a southern front facade that while being unashamedly different to it's hip and gabled neighbours is familiarly both residential and agricultural.
Shunning defensive (and thirsty) lawns, carefully selected native and edible plants to the front yard break down the public / private threshold. A generous window seat in the street facade provides for moments of interaction with passers by. An operable timber screen to the breezeway and courtyard beyond acts as an invitation 'in.'
Internal spaces are deliberately modest in area but generous in volume. This proved problematic with financing in an area where cheaply built 300sqm+ volume homes are the accepted norm however simple construction, sensible materials and a keen builder got it over the line.
Our clients adore their house. A uniquely sustainable, cost-efficient, adaptable and joyful home that reflects their values and acts as a seasonal cradle for their growing family.
Dachshund House was published in issue 66 of Sanctuary Magazine
‘I love seeing how the light hits different aspects of the house depending on the time of day. The living/lounge room space looks different every hour and its beautiful to witness. Seeing the different shadows on the walls and floors displaying various shapes from our garden is a real work of art that we get to experience every single day.
I love that my children can see the birds forage in the garden and the butterflies and bees land on our blooming flowers all in the comfort of the indoors. While the house does draw us outside regularly, it is beautiful to witness nature doing its thing without human interference, something that can’t be enjoyed unless you’re a good distance away and noise-free. The window seat and the large windows that touch the ground in the living/dining areas and the bedrooms provide us these special opportunities.
The colour palette and raw materials remind me of a eucalyptus tree and bring a real sense of calm to the place and I love that about our house. It is a real oasis and such a joy to be in and return to at the end of the day. I love how no space is wasted and when asked what my favourite space is, it is hard to pin point just one – I could tell you a different space depending on the season and what is happening in our lives. In winter – my favourite space is the living/dining/lounge because the natural light brings so much warmth and joy. In Summer – I love the courtyard space because the coolness that the pond brings allows us to still have the windows open and we can still be outside as a family despite the extreme heat.
What I love the most is no matter where you are in the house we are connected to the outdoors and that is very important for our wellbeing and all of our values as a family.’
Eliza, Owner.
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Dachshund House Project Details
Owners: Doug & Eliza
Builder: Adrian Dernee Building Services
Engineer: Ambai Consutants
Sustainability Consultant: Team Catalyst
NatHERS Assessor: Rasp Consulting
Images: Toby Scott
Video: Dan Preston
Artwork: Prudence De Marchi, Emma Currie
Project Details
Location: Moore Creek, Tamworth
Completed 2022
Brief
Family of four
Ted (Dachshund)
New home
Location & Climate
North-west NSW
Very dry
Solar
Grey water
Rainwater tank
Reverse veneer construction
PVC framed double glazing
Awards
2024 NSW Country Division Architecture Awards - The James Barnet Award: Winner
2024 NSW Architecture Awards - Houses (New): Shortlist
2024 NSW Architecture Awards - Sustainable Architecture: Shortlist
2024 Houses Awards - New house under 200 square metres: Shortlist
2023 Architeam Awards - Residential New Up To $1 million: Shortlist
Jury comment from the NSW Country Division Architecture Awards - The James Barnet Award:
“In a new subdivision, often so repetitive in typology, the Dachshund House, located on Kamilaroi Country, provides a brave counterpoint to the expected brick and gabled roofs of traditional project homes. A brave client and a confident architect have set out to challenge these norms and done it so successfully.
Proving that Architecture is affordable and can be for the everyday Australian, architects Maxwell & Page have designed a compact, robust and delightful home for a young family.
Accepting the reality of designing in a new subdivision, the architects have provided shelter and privacy within the plan, by way of a courtyard complete with a pond for evaporative cooling.
Through the promotion of good design and the future social and environmental impact the project will have on the region, the Dachshund House is a worthy recipient of the 2024 James Barnet Award.”
Jury comment from the NSW Country Division Architecture Awards - Award for Residential Architecture - Houses (New):
“Stretching long and low along the street, Dachshund House provides a much needed counterpoint to the typical gabled roofed project home of Australian suburbia. Proving that Architecture is affordable and can be for the everyday Australian, architects Maxwell & Page have designed a compact, robust and delightful home for a young family.
Accepting the reality of designing in a new subdivision, the architects have provided shelter and privacy within the plan by way of a courtyard with a pond for evaporative cooling.
There should be a celebration for the bravery of both owner and architect,
to challenge the normal typology of housing, and for starting a conversation of how good design can genuinely impact our day to day lives.”