Blog&News | FDLab22

Apr 16, 20242 min read

The different aspects of sustainability and a way to keep improving.

This blog post explains the different aspects of sustainability: it must be Economical, Environmental and Socially Sustainable

Why Local Environmental Conditions Should Still Guide Architectural Design

archcastellucchio

Mar 25, 20243 min read

Why Local Environmental Conditions Should Still Guide Architectural Design

Traditionally Architectural design is conditioned by local environmental conditions, available resources, culture and users' needs.

Good Morning!

Here is a quick sketch of new semi-detached dwellings (rear facade).

Key features:
- the ground level is suspended over the natural land for flood reasons. Also, building off the ground helps to manage moisture and termites, install continuous under-slab insulation, and easily access services, if required.
- Deep eaves over the glazed surfaces to control direct solar radiation, reduce glare, and protect from weather events.
- Terraces and landscape at all levels: adequate outdoor spaces increase levels of amenities and create a softer transition between your house and the landscape around it.
- Prominent ground level vs recessed first level: reduces the visual bulk of the building, while allowing all the required interior space.
- Natural construction materials, wherever possible: increase the quality of living and give a more relaxed and pleasant look.

#sustainabledesign #architecture #sustainability #naturamaterials #passivehouse #permaculture

Development Application Approved!
Right before Christmas and the holidays.

Renovation & Extension of a beautiful heritage-listed terrace.

Key features of this project:
_Preserve and enhance the original components and character. ✅
_Get rid of the hundreds of little patchy works and elements added through the years. ✅
_Integrate new plants and services. ✅
_Create a new, efficient and functional extension, that works organically and seamlessly with the heritage portion of the building. ✅
_Stay in the budget. ✅
_Make people happy! ✅😊

It's now time for CC & CD.

It won't be long, we can't wait to start building!

#houserenovation #architecture #sustainabledesign #interiordesign #energyefficiency #customdesign

Renovation and extension of a beautiful double brick house in North Sydney.

We took the bulk and shape of the original back portion of the house, and we turned it into a contemporary "garden house look" extension that opens to the new pool and native garden area.

The traditional front of the house, as well as what is visible from the street has been retained to maintain the original character of the house and the neighbourhood.

#sustainabledesign #architecture #permaculturedesign

Preparing a draft planting plan with our friends at Sydney City Farm.

One morning per week, I volunteer here at Sydney Park. The farm, led by our great J, grows herbs, veggies, legumes, flowers, and fruits to help those in need in our community.
In return, we have fantastic outdoor time between the farm, the orchard, and the nursery. And we learn (a lot) about how to set, grow and take care of a beautiful garden.

Come and try, or look for your local community garden 😊

Cheers!

#sustainabledesign #sustainablegardening #permaculture #volunteering

Ventilated facades and roof.

A simple but brilliant way to improve building thermal and acoustic performance.

How does it work?

Like a second skin that shades you from direct solar radiation, wind and noise.

Just underneath the external cladding and roofing surface, we leave a cavity where air can run through.
The external surface heats up when exposed to solar radiation. The thin layer of air around it (both sides) warms up, gets lighter and rises, sucking cooler air from below.
The building surface heat is constantly dissipated outward before it can penetrate the insulation layer underneath.

This second skin also helps protecting (in the same way) from warm and cold winds hitting the building envelope.
As well it helps to reduce the acoustic transmission (vibrations) coming from the outside.

How is it built?

Simply adding an additional layer of battens just between the external cladding/roofing and the insulation underneath. These gaps are then closed with grid/meshes top and bottom, to stop insects or rodents to penetrate into the cavity.

It's an ingenious, simple and cheap way to boost the building performance.

Keep it in mind for your next project!

Cheers!

#sustainabledesign #architecture #facade #naturalsolutions #physics

My Neighbour is brilliant!

This is so beautiful and simple!
The garden is as always spotless and tidy, the seasonal floating flowerpots create a sophisticated and joyful feeling with very little work.

Great!

#gardening #sustainabledesign

Application Lodged!

Renovation & Extension of a beautiful heritage-listed terrace.

What we need to do:
_Preserve and enhance the original components and character. ✅
_Get rid of the hundreds of little patchy works and elements added through the years. ✅
_Integrate new plants and services. ✅
_Create a new, efficient and functional extension, that works organically and seamlessly with the heritage portion of the building. ✅
_Stay in the budget. ✅
_Make people happy! ✅😊

Here is an early hand sketch.
We'll keep you posted!

#houserenovation #architecture #sustainabledesign #interiordesign #energyefficiency #customdesign

Natural materials: building with strawbales

I first learned about strawbale building construction about 14 years ago: it was in a class of my Master’s studies in sustainable architecture I took back then. That same week they took us out to a city park in Turin (Italy) and we got dirty and sweaty assembling a small one-room building on a hot Italian summer day. And it has been a fantastic experience! We had a great time with colleagues, friends and volunteers prepping, piling and fixing strawbales together to build walls. Then render it all, before covering it with a simple timber framed, metal roof (cause you can never trust the weather). 🙂

Last weekend we finally did it again! “A bunch of hippies” (like myself :)) met with the “master hippie builders” from @vivahomes_unearthed & @green_e_building , Sam & Adrian, just outside Mudgee in NSW, to get dirty and understand, through theory and practice, how this type of natural buildings work and get built down under.
This was a great, rewarding and empowering experience: to see how anyone can build their own natural and healthy home, using mostly cost-efficient, local materials. And to see that there still are alternatives to an always more complex and expensive traditional construction industry.

If you want to try it out yourself, look for upcoming courses in your region (usually for a fee), or look for local strawbale construction workshops (usually volunteering work). Here you can gain the required knowledge and hands-on experience, working alongside like-minded and friendly people.

If you have a project in mind, if you are interested in a more sustainable, healthy and natural way to build and live, get in touch with us. We may be able to help, just send us a DM.

#sustainabledesign #sustainability #architecture #strawbalehouse #naturalmaterials

Gardens’ Opportunities

Permaculture principles are applicable to a variety of situations: understanding the potential of residual spaces and garden corners is one of these.
In an established apartment building, often the communal green areas might be reduced to flat lawns to mow or straightforward neglected, for various reasons.

We asked strata if we could take care of a little corner and show its potential.
This little project involved the residents, who gently donated some little plants to the effort and helped water the garden during the first few weeks.

The plants you see are a mix of natives and non-natives, mostly rescued in the street of leftovers from our latest move.
Basic gardening tools, gloves, a few bags of compost and mulch, and a small bag of native flower seeds were all we needed. In a few hours, we gave another chance to these plants and this sad planter box.

Prepare the soil, place the plants, compost and mulch, spread the flower seeds, and water.
Let nature decide what grows and where: the garden will find its balance, that fits the specific conditions of the site. Weeds are doing their part too 🙂.

Maintenance is now down to 2 hours every 2 months: mostly pruning and mulching.
Just let your garden be and evolve.
And don’t forget to place a compost pile in the corner: nothing should be wasted. It’s all part of a cycle.

#sustainabledesign #permaculture #gardening #regenerativeagriculture

Design for Efficiency, with Sensitivity and Purpose.

Sustainable Design means getting the most out of the smallest investment, wisely using the available resources, and working harmoniously within the specific context.
Efficiency means designing and building within a budget, meeting people’s needs and wishes, in a high-quality and comfortable environment.

Sensitivity means understanding the specific conditions of each site and designing to fit well within it. It means prioritising people’s experience and health, for the best quality of life.

The purpose is to create meaningful places, that harmoniously fit within existing environment and community, where our and future generations can peacefully live, work and play.

#sustainabledesign #architecture #interiordesign #kitchendesign #homerenovation

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

@acqua_terra_design

The different aspects of sustainability and a way to keep improving.

Why Local Environmental Conditions Should Still Guide Architectural Design

​

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

Nature Reference, Inspiration Home

Nature
Reference, Inspiration
Home