Platypus House

We wanted to celebrate the architecture and the era of the original house

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Undergoing renovation

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Tucked away from sight and accessed via a hidden driveway, the Platypus House is a surprising retreat. This renovation is surrounded by the big scrubs and Tucki Tuck Creek just 10 minutes away from Lismore CBD. Designed for a small family with a solid work from home culture, this residence is as functional as office as capable of hosting plenty of guests in a party

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As sustainability is always at the core of our work, we consider that the most sustainable house is the one already built. However, many older properties suffer from lack of maintenance and thermal inefficiency. The home consists of a low rise brickwork residence and a few simple measures can address these preserving issues. At Platypus, we've upgraded ceilings with insulation and replaced outdated carpets with new sustainable flooring options.

 

Spatial and functional response - The house has too many internal walls 

A fundamental concern with most low-rise houses is the lack of functional spaces. This problem is often resolved by reconfiguring the layout with fewer internal walls. At Platypus, there are no internal walls in the public areas of the house. The garden greenery is integrated within the space, and easily accessed through sliding doors at each end of the house, allowing for an abundance of natural light.

 

Sustainability response

The layout has been redesigned to optimise passive solar gain, drastically reducing the need for mechanical heating and cooling. Active management of shade and cross-ventilation eliminates the need for air-conditioning. Rainwater tanks are positioned near the carport. We've added high-performance insulation throughout, including the walls of the original house.