Inner City Smart Housing 2000 Competition
In 2000 Biscoe Wilson Architects received an award for a competition entry sponsored by the Queensland Department of Housing and HIA (Housing Industry Association).
The innovative apartment design was for six typical apartments that were designed for “Universal Design” and were environmentally sustainable.
Linear north oriented planning was zoned to allow a variety of one and two bedroom apartments. A breezeway / stair separated apartments and enhanced cross ventilation. The apartments incorporated: water harvesting; photovoltaic power generation; insulation and ventilation control.
Features of the design include:
- Roof mounted photovoltaic cells and Solar Hot Water generation;
- Rain water harvesting;
- Natural lighting and ventilation;
- Vegetable gardens and worm farms and composting areas;
- Plan zoning to enhance occupant usage, promote cross ventilation;
- Low embodied energy material selection;
- Adaptable apartments to ground floor and semi and non adaptable to the upper floor.