Architect transforms bungalow into climate-controlled oasis,
When Dominique Gill founded her construction company eight years ago,
she aimed to enhance sustainability while also increasing diversity within the industry.
As the managing director of Urban Core, Gill viewed her own home renovation in Northbridge as the ideal opportunity to demonstrate her mission.
“It was crucial for me to put my money where my mouth is,” Gill stated, emphasizing her commitment as an architect.
Given that the construction industry significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and waste, she aimed to illustrate a better approach.
“It was essential for me to create a case study on what’s possible in construction while building my own house,” she noted.
After researching various sustainability options, she ultimately decided to implement PassivHaus, a German energy-efficiency standard known for its effectiveness.
This standard eliminates the need for traditional heating or cooling systems, relying instead on thermal efficiency, airtightness, and insulation.
With assistance from her university friend Isabelle Toland of Aileen Sage, Gill redesigned her 1924 Californian bungalow to enhance its functionality.
The renovation included a new living room, kitchen, natural pool, and basement, significantly transforming the home’s layout and appeal.
For the main material, Gill chose cross-laminated timber (CLT), which consists of engineered wood glued together in at least three different directions.
This choice not only made the structure more sustainable but also improved its thermal insulation, enhancing overall energy efficiency.
All windows, including those in the original part of the house, were replaced with double-glazed options for better energy performance.
However, the design and construction process faced unique challenges, including the presence of a century-old tree they could not remove.
Receive the latest property news and advice directly in your inbox
“I knew Isabelle would create an intriguing design. The unique feature of this site is the brush box tree, with a 12-metre canopy,” Gill explained.
She emphasized that the tree is over 100 years old and significant to the streetscape of Northbridge, making it special.
Consequently, the entire extension was designed around the tree to preserve it while aligning with Gill’s sustainability goals.
Additionally, the floors in the extension incorporate PIR, or polyisocyanurate, insulation panels to prevent rising damp and enhance insulation.
The home is equipped with a built-in dehumidifier to mitigate mould, which can lead to health issues.
Moreover, it features a heat recovery unit that maintains proper fresh air circulation throughout the house.
“When you create an airtight space, it’s beneficial because heat is retained and cold is kept out effectively,” Gill noted.
“However, this can also lead to a stale environment, presenting a paradox where good intentions create new problems.”
She explained that these issues often involve levels of oxygen and overall air freshness within the home.
Gill believes these features enhance the home’s sustainability during construction and contribute positively to her family’s wellbeing.
“What I love about PassivHaus is that it offers a wellness rating, not just lower bills. Sustainability encompasses wellness,” she added.
Does the home remain comfortable during hot summer days or cold winter months without air conditioning?
“It’s designed to maintain a temperature range between 16 and 26 degrees year-round, exceeding this only 10 percent of the time,” Gill explained.
“We truly feel that difference, and it’s comfortable for our family,” she added proudly.
Gill takes pride in creating a sustainable extension for her family home through her female-founded and led company, employing 50 percent women.
“If you have a diverse team, you generally experience a wealth of diverse thoughts, leading to improved collaboration and creativity,” she stated.
This diversity ultimately enhances innovation and profitability while allowing them to better serve the public, reflecting true representation.
“Construction faces a significant image problem, which is ironic because, while we’re not heart surgeons, we provide essential services,” Gill noted.
She added, “As we sit in this house, I’m not particularly worried about it collapsing on us.”
“When we enter a tower in the city, we take the lift to level 41 without considering its safety,” she explained.
“We rarely think, ‘I hope that lift shaft is secure.’ We often take for granted the importance of builders’ work.”
“Each day, we protect people’s lives through our work, and we trust construction with our safety without even realizing it.”
