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The Challenge
In Perth’s Hamilton Hill, Graduate Architect and first-time developer Jocelyn Broderick set out to prove that urban infill can be dense, sustainable and beautiful, without the “cookie-cutter” feel of many high-density builds.
On a single suburban block where she and husband Sergio have lived for years, Jocelyn’s goal was to replace one home with five dwellings – retaining the original 1970s cottage, maximising light and achieving the maximum possible energy ratings for the new homes.
Her ambitions didn’t stop there, with Jocelyn determined to deliver high performance housing on a lean, self-funded budget.
That meant working within tight height restrictions, creating flexible floor plans to adapt to different occupants over time, and choosing materials that worked harder by providing structure, insulation and finish in one.
With that in mind, and having used Bondor’s SolarSpan® on previous projects, Jocelyn knew it was the ideal roofing solution – capable of delivering thermal performance, long spans and a clean exposed soffit without the need for a suspended ceiling.
“I love that SolarSpan® is structural, provides insulation and gives you the finished soffit all in one product.
“It was perfect for our budget and our sustainability goals,” said Jocelyn.
Photo Credit: AmandaMiller.com.au
The Solution
The finished development, affectionately named “Sunshine Studios”, comprises the renovated 120m² original cottage at the front, a single-storey 70m² dwelling at the centre of the block, and three connected 99m² two-storey terraces along the southern boundary.
All four new builds are topped with 150mm Bondor SolarSpan® insulated roofing panels in Surfmist (R3.6), spanning 7.5 metres with 1.4 metre overhang to shade the north-facing elevations. The slim roof profile helped meet height limits while still delivering generous internal ceiling heights.
Bondor’s local technical rep, Joe Roque, provided design and specification support prior to the project staring, as well as on-site support curing construction, delivering the correct fixings for a mix of concrete panel and timber beam connections and advising on custom flashings.
“By using SolarSpan® we didn’t lose height to framing or ceiling structure. It let the roof just fly over the walls – simple, minimal detailing, and a beautiful finish from below”, explains Jocelyn.
“We ordered 10 metre long SolarSpan® panels which were light enough for two workers to slide along the support beams. It was easy to work with too – we were clipping panels together, sliding them along, and Bondor helped with all the little technical details.”
The homes achieve exceptional energy performance, with ratings up to 9+ Stars. Thanks to SolarSpan®’s integrated insulation and the development’s passive solar design, its interiors remain comfortable year-round without the need for mechanical heating or cooling – ceiling fans alone provide all the temperature control required.
Ventilation from south-facing windows and exposed thermal mass concrete walls and floors also contribute to stable indoor temperatures.
Lastly, flexibility was another key design priority. The terrace houses each have dual-key entry, kitchens on both levels and moveable walls, allowing them to be configured as two smaller dwellings, a home and workspace, or a larger family home.
SolarSpan’s long spans allowed the upper floor’s dividing wall to be non-loadbearing, meaning the rooms can be reconfigured over time.
Jocelyn says the project has been well received, providing some much-needed affordable rental accommodation close to public transport and amenities, while demonstrating that higher-density urban infill can be sustainable, liveable and architecturally considered.
“We wanted these homes to be adaptable – to change as people’s lives change. Bondor’s roofing helped make that possible, delivering the performance we needed in a simple, durable way.”
Manufactured in Australia by Bondor, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading all-in-one insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch and high thermal efficiency.
