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17-18 Little Wellington Street, Collingwood

Learn about 17-18 Little Wellington Street, Collingwood and read about project updates

Development Summary

The development includes a warehouse conversion into two self-contained apartments and a 3 storey townhouse. The project shows exemplary design solutions that ensure good access to daylight and natural ventilation albeit the constraints of a small site footprint and an existing warehouse structure. Furthermore it incorporates innovative technology for renewable electricity and solar hot water.

Owner/Applicant

Anthony Paterson

Development size

3 storeys, 3 dwellings

Project team

Anthony Paterson, owner
Rupert Murphy, architect

Selection of key sustainable design commitments

1.0 Indoor environment quality

  • An internal courtyard provides good access to natural ventilation, including the ability for cross ventilation and night purging.
  • The vegetated courtyard draws daylight into the lower floor plans.
  • Interior finishes, such as paints, carpets and floorings with no or low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) will be specified
  • The extensive exposure of polished concrete floors will stabilise internal temperatures, especially during summer months.
  • Skylights will be provided for internal bathrooms and staircases.

2.0 Energy efficiency

  • Eaves overhangs to the north will shield from harsh mid-summer sun.
  • A gas boosted solar hot water system will be installed for the apartments.
  • A 3.5kW grid connected hybrid photovoltaic-thermal system will be installed on the roof. It will not only contribute 50% of the townhouse’s electricity demand but will also provide solar hot water (more under categories 9.0 Innovation).
  • Air conditioning units with high efficiency ratings (6 Stars for cooling, 5.5 Stars for heating) will be installed.
  • Efficient LED and linear florescent lights will be installed.
  • Heat reflective paint will be applied on the roof to reduce summer solar heat gains.

3.0 Water resources

  • Water efficient fittings will be installed (showerheads: 3-Star WELS, taps & basins: 5-Star WELS, toilet cisterns: 4-Star WELS)

4.0 Stormwater management

  • A 3,000L rainwater tank, located on the ground floor under a stair landing will provide water for the first floor apartment toilets.
  • A second 3,000L rainwater tank will provide water for the 3 toilets of the townhouse.

5.0 Materials

  • Demolition materials, such as concrete and steel will be tried to retain and reuse in the new dwellings.
  • All in-situ concrete will contain 30% industrial waste products, reducing the quantity of ‘Portland’ cement.
  • A large proportion of external cladding and interior wall surfaces will use recycled timber. All other timber will be certified FSC stock.
  • Internal doors have been reclaimed and recycled from other demolition projects.
  • The use of ‘raw’ materials will minimise embodied energy and resources associated with demolition. Composite materials will be avoided where possible.

6.0 Transport

  • The carport areas have dedicated spaces for bicycle parking.

8.0 Urban ecology

  • The design incorporates landscaping and vegetation on the roof, within the courtyard and through a green wall.

9.0 Innovation

  • Through the incorporation of various light courts and terraces, the design provides good access to daylight and natural ventilation to all habitable rooms, even to those on the ground floor.
  • A Hybrid PV-Thermal solar panel has been selected to provide the household with electricity and solar hot water through one device. The system maximises the PV performance by cooing the cells with mains water whilst capturing and using thermal energy, which would otherwise be wasted.

10.0 Ongoing building and site management

  • The project proposes that robust materials and simple detailing be applied to ensure that the building will require minimal repair and maintenance work over time.
Wellington St
Follow up questions and answers

(Anthony Paterson): It was largely us, the owner who researched and incorporated these initiatives. As an example, we had great experience with recycled rainwater on past projects and would always do it again. As long you don’t drink the rain water harvested in an urban area, it can be used for all other purposes, not only for toilet flushing. We also connected the 3.000l rain water tank to the laundry and bathroom, providing water for the washing machine, shower and bath.

No, not at all. The technology is originally from the European market and has there been available for quite some time. Now I found a company that also sells them in Australia. The main difference to a conventional PV system is that a water storage / booster tank needs to be located reasonably close to the system. In our project the panels are mounted on the roof and the water tank is located in a light court on the level below. Only a small pump will be required for this distance.

Theoretically yes, but as the hybrid system is so new, I didn't want to push the installer too far on an already complex setup. Once the system is bedded in and we establish the potable hot water (mains) for the kitchens via instant electric boosters - then I intend to direct the rainwater to the hybrid panels and from there to the showers.

Yes, firstly it gives the finished project a lot of character and secondly it also has environmental implications. As an example, we salvaged the warehouse’s original 10m long beams that held the roof up. I am intending to use them for a new pergola on the main townhouse terrace. Not only will this create some great landscaping through creepers growing up the structure but will also provide some privacy in this tight urban setting. By leaving original brick walls exposed, rather than cladding them with plaster board, we are again adding a lot of character to the living spaces, and at the same time reducing the need for new materials and future maintenance.

For more information contact us on 9205 5555 or email [email protected].