TROPICAL HOUSING design

-1. INTRODUCTION_
David Randerson dKO Architecture

2. HISTORY_
Background to Darwin Architecture

3. ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Building Design for Climate
The Breezeway Concept
Cross-Flow Ventilation
Semi-Enclosed Living

4. BUILDING APPEARANCE
The Street
Darwin Lifestyle

5. CURRENT EXAMPLES
Photos

INDEX
background to Darwin architecture HISTORY
Designed by government architect Beni Burnett,
this ‘K’ type house was completed in 1939. It
was intended as accomodation for senior public
servants.

The house is a two storey building with living

and dining areas downstairs opening onto
shaded verandahs and sleeping areas upstairs.
the whole design is intended to make living in
the tropics easier with walls that open to the
breezes.
4ROPICAL"UNGALOW
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Muirhead - Darwin Tropical Bungalow

707156 Muirhead Master Planning CONTEXT
$ARWIN%LEVATED4YPE$
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Muirhead - Darwin
Muirhead - Darwin

707156 Muirhead Master Planning CONTEXT

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Muirhead - Darwin
Green Can
707156 Muirhead Master Planning CONTEXT
4ROPPO@'REEN#AN
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Muirhead - Darwin Green Can

707156 Muirhead Master Planning CONTEXT
 Case Study: THE QUEENSLANDER RE-THOUGHT
Architect dKO (www.dko.com.au) Design solution The design abstracts the
elevated timber homestead and uses bricks to
Client profile The nesters – a suburban
regulate temperatures throughout the ground
family in mid-life stream.
and first floor spaces.
Brief To provide a spacious yet compact
Environmentally sustainable design
home for a small lot.
The floor works to hold and store cool and
Location Coastal Queensland. heat so it regulates the temperature of the
internal spaces ... it is always shaded by the
Inspiration Thinking back to childhood
brick breezewall above so the spaces stay
summers when “underneath old
cool in the summer months, which is very
Queenslander houses was the most pleasura-
important in Queensland.
ble environment.”
Benefits The bricks form a veil and act as a
shading device for the internal lower areas, as
well as creating a permeable layer for air to
flow through.

AccuRate score 7.5

Courtesy Think Brick Australia

www.thinkbrick.com.au

Muirhead - Darwin

707156 Muirhead Master Planning CONTEXT

Muirhead - Darwin

707156 Muirhead Master Planning CONTEXT

 two storey detached
tower residence
detached

Muirhead - Darwin single storey residence

stockland kawana studio duplex model

707156 Muirhead Master Planning CONTEXT
ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES
 climate characteristics for hot humid

high humidity (+70-80%) moderately high air temperature moderately high solar radiation
mainly overhead

small range in diurnal and annual high rainfall damp earth + flooding subject to cyclones/hurricanes
temperature

S Masterplan Option
climate characteristics
D H A M u i r h e a d 1:1000@A1 08.04.2008

4 key Measures. The design conTrols will be a siMple docuMenT

Shaded walls

Thick and insulated roof + wide eaves Insulate non shaded areas and tree provides shade
to shade walls provide reflective surface
wind pushes down
5xh
openable walls
pergola shading or sliding
POS elements

y Shade outdoor spaces, walls Provide lightweight construction provide tall trees for shade
and openings no walls are required. and to direct the breeze through the
building

climate analysis
 Muirhead will develop The concepT planning ouTcoMes Through 4 key
le planning principles. The five eleMenTs are -

dry season
breezes

Thi
to s
<5xh

wet season
linear rectangular breezes

use plans with one room depth to Separation of primary living areas The distance between should be generally S
encourage ideal movement of breezes capturing prevailing breezes in residential be 5 time the height, except where a
through the building. living areas communities is essential. Avoid wind buildings are elevated from surrounding
should be orientated to capture shadow. dwellings.
prevailing breezes.

siting principles
 DESIGN ELEMENTS DESIGN ESSENTIALS BEST PRACTICE DESIGN OPTIONS

SUBDIVISION Provide a variation in lot intergate smaller lot sizes throughout the communitY Providing
sizes Within the standard consistant large street frontage across the communtY.
residential grid.
Provide lots that are orientatied to the Prevailing Breezes.

SITING site for eXPosure to use Plans With one room dePth to encourage ideal movement of
Prevailing Brezes. Breezes through the Building (cross ventilation).

elevated construction on smaller lots can helP to ensure

Good physical separation between
access to Breezes and create shaded outdoor sPace. dwellings is a fundamental aspect in
achieving good cross flow ventilation.
DWELLING PLANNING PrimarY living areas
should Be orientated to
the distance BetWeen should Be generallY Be 5 time the height,
eXcePt Where Buildings are elevated from surrounding
These zones can be used to grow
caPturing Prevailing dWellings. landscaping that can provide shade
Breezes.
aPProPriatelY designed thermallY massive loWer floor living
and deflect breezes into the dwelling.
areas can Provide cooler refuge during the daY. The ‘Breezeway’ concept was
developed to achieve these results.
ROOF ventilate roof sPaces. use Provide ceiling heights on indoor and oudoor rooms sufficent to
light coloured roof alloW ceiling fans.
materials. consider high or By creating an envelope that provides
raKed ceilings.
thicK and insulated roof
a breeze corridor this will dictate the
Plus Wide eaves to shade desired home planning outcome.
Walls.

WALLS use reflective insulation, minimise eXPosed east and West Walls. shade all Walls from sun.
The ‘breezeway’ lot provides a
and BulK insulation if grid orientation that is designed to
mechanicallY cooling. use for internal Walls consider the treatment of Potential Barries
light coloured Wall to the Path of Breeze through the house. maximise the prevailing breezes from
materials. design and Build site to site. The physical separation of
for cYclonic conditions.
the building is determined regardless
CLIP-ONS shade the Whole Building in eXtended vertical screens can modifY otherWise unfavouraBlY
of lot size.
summer and Winter. Provide oriented oPenings to imProve natural ventilation
shaded screened verandas
for indoor-outdoor living,
Provide outdoor sPace that addresses the street.
Outdoor living areas should be
and sleePout sPaces. located along this ‘breezeway’ to
efficiently capture its cooling affects.

built form principles

LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS use landscaPe to shade the use Planting to channel Breeze in to the dWelling.
dWelling.

D H A M u i r h e a d Masterplan Option 1:1000@A1 08.04.2008

 3.
board

the greenway and the breezeway

the regional park

a bigger landscape - connecting healthy communities

the local park

a play environment - connecting families and kids

the street

a good street - shade and safety

the lot

a wide rectangular lot - cool breezes and the big side yard

2nd October, 2008

Muirhead vibes & visions
Disclaimer: This plan has been created for the purposes of enlightened discussion and in no way implies commitment to its implementation by any party, nor doe
property rights. No part of this plan shall be reproduced in any format without the express written permission of Defence Housing Australia or Tract Consultants.
Defence Housing Australia and Tract Consultants accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the data and information presented on this plan.
 5.0
bed board

bed

bed
bath

kitchen laundry

living 1 living 2

cars trailer

climatically responsive design

THE BREEZEWAY - a cooling breeze and a decent hat

1 Problem: Current Darwin plans are rectangular and deep and this stops breezes, cross-
ventilation and a good relationship with the environment (the yard, the street
and the greater landscape)
Solution:

1. Promote cross ventilation through building orientation,

2. Develop a linear and/or thin plan form.

2 Problem: A fat floor plan is lazy and takes over the lot.
Solution:
1. The bulk of the rooms should be located within half of the lot.
2. Group the small boxy rooms (bedrooms, bathroom and laundry) into a cluster and get
them out of the way.
3. These can be cheap and cheerful and stock standard in look and form (2550mm flat
plasterboard ceilings).
4. Focus on a key living / dining area and give it the prominent street address and an 1 1
‘outdoor feel’.
5. This space should be given the the unique ‘Tropical’ makeover.
6. Make the kitchen the ‘control hub’ of the house (don’t hide it out the back).

Problem: Modern architecture looks like it would struggle in the wet with no eaves and
3 Solution:
and shallow roofs.

1. Use big roofs and overhangs to provide shade and weather protection.

2nd October, 2008

Muirhead vibes & visions
Disclaimer: This plan has been created for the purposes of enlightened discussion and in no way implies commitment to its implementation by any party, nor does it transfer
 7.0
board
SIDE (REAR)
AT GRADE WITH LIVING ROOM
KIDS PLAY
POOL
TRAMPOLINE
A BIG BIT OF LAZY TURF

SIDE (MIDDLE)
AN ENCLOSED
‘VERANDAH’
MAINTAIN THIN
BUILDING

SIDE (MIDDLE 2)
SIDE (FRONT)
THE FRONT DECK
& ELEVATED VIEW
TO THE STREET
SIDE (FRONT)
SIDE (STREET)
FRONT GARDEN
NATIVE VEG AS PART
OF STREET

COOLING WET SEASON

2 BREEZES

1000 m

COOLING DRY SEASON

BREEZES

BUFFER OF INSECT BREEDING

the lot
a big side yard on a wide shallow lot ODOUR BUFFER

1 Problem: Housing lots are sometimes too narrow for the tropics.

Solution:
1. Do not go below 18-20m in width.
3. Define a building footprint with ample setbacks and/or articulation to create the impression of space and to
accept cooling breezes.

Rear lot compression is a fundamental Murihead principle. The key is to maintain a constant lot width no matter
the lot size so any change in the mix (including affordable housing) is not self evident from the street.

2 Problem: Small side setbacks often look tight and mean.

Solution:
1. Create a ‘side yard’ made up of a number of spaces that are visually and physically linked.
2. Use a thin living space that dose not impede a long ‘green view’ from the backyard all the way through
to the street.
3. Take the heat off the front façade by looking through it.
4. Create one big robust/consolidated ‘outdoor’ space not a collection of little resort style
courtyards that can deal with the top end lifestyle.

the BREEZEWAY CONCEPT

2nd October, 2008 Muirhead vibes & visions
Disclaimer: This plan has been created for the purposes of enlightened discussion and in no way implies commitment to its implementation by any party, nor does it transfer
property rights. No part of this plan shall be reproduced in any format without the express written permission of Defence Housing Australia or Tract Consultants.
Defence Housing Australia and Tract Consultants accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the data and information presented on this plan.
 extensions, such as a vertical screen, to

8m max

living 8m max
living

living 8m max

Figure 4: Plan forms demonstrating one room deep living areas

living rooms

bedrooms

Figure 5: Locate living areas on upper floor to capture breezes

one room deep

BELLAMACK COMMUNITY
CROSS FLOW VENTILATION
13
draft issue 22.06.09
design covenants
 design solution. The solutions will be implemented by developing building
envelopes and design guidelines. The lot sizes and house types range from
large lots to small lot housing to support affordable housing in the area.
Each house type is supported by a description of the standard lot variations,
preferred orientation and super block layout preferences.

ENSUITE
LAUNDRY BED 1

linear plan BATH

form created
BED 2
by envelope Breezeway
BED 3

FAMILY

KITCHEN LIVING DINING

Front Setback GARAGE

Greenway

Setback Plan Building Envelope Plan Zoning Plan Floor Plan

dKO have developed

D H A aMbuilt
u i rform
h e proposal
a d to M a s t e r p l a n Option 1:1000@A1 08.04.2008


review and enhance the ‘Breezeway’ Lot concept.

Consideration of passive cooling techniques
realised by housing configuration and tropical
housing design have formed the design solution.
Small lot housing has also been introduced to
support affordable housing requirement of the area.

one room deep CROSS FLOW VENTILATION

I N D I C A T I V E H O U S E T Y P E S

tyPe 1

ENSUITE Service rooms clustered +

external access (to drying
BED 1 LAUNDRY
line).
BATH
ONE ROOM DEEP
BED 2
Single room allows
cross-ventilation.

BED 3

INDOOR-OUTDOOR INTERACTION
LIVING 2

30m

GARAGE
KITCHEN LIVING 1
Garage integrated into plan,
subordinate to house facade. Wide frontage of living zones
Screened Add screens for shade
verandah and privacy
allows cool-
ing breezes
through
living zones.

Front
living areas extend onto ve-
randahs with larger outdoor
20m living to the rear

D H A M u i r h e a d Masterplan Option 1:1000@A1 08.04.2008


I N D I C A T I V E H O U S E T Y P E S

tyPe 2

LAUNDRY
BED 4 BATH

BED 3
Big rear yard on Single room al-
grade, children lows
play backyard cross-ventilation.
cricket. BED 2

LIVING 2
Secondary family
enclosed veran-
living space.
dah allowing cool-
ing breezes into
home.

Variance in building form for diversity of streets cape

BED 1
KITCHEN LIVING 1

extension of
internal living
areas. eyes on
the street.

Native vegetaion to soften

streetscape + buffer pri-
vate/public spaces.

D H A M u i r h e a d Masterplan Option 1:1000@A1 08.04.2008


I N D I C I T A T I V E H O U S E T Y P E S

tyPe 3

BED 3 Single room al-

lows
cross-ventilation.

BATH

BED 2

Distinct separation of
20m LIVING
public + private spaces
KITCHEN BED 1

20 x 20 lot size
allows diversity
elevated living areas to capture cooling breezes
in suitable house
orientation.

20m
Living zones on two levels
taking advantage of cooler
areas + activating the
traditional
street level
elevated
design to add
diversity to
streetscape
outdoor living area
screened from street



D H A M u i r h e a d Masterplan Option 1:1000@A1 08.04.2008


 House Type 1- Breezeway
Single Level

LOT SIZE AND TYPE 18-20m

• 18m width (20m corner) x 30m depth - frontloaded

• 20m width (22m corner) x 30m depth - frontloaded

PREFERED ORIENTATION

• orientate through living wing to capture breezes and address the

street frontage
• services and utility zones on western side
• heavily shaded living and lounge areas face east and north/south
• shared driveway running NW/SE

18-20

30

30m
ouse Type 1- Breezeway N

Single Level
SUPER LOT MATRIX
• HOUSE
preferred lot allocation

• Family Home
3 4
• 3 bedrooms 1 1 1 1 1
• 2 bathroom
3 4
• double front loaded garage
• Living wing
2 is 2located
2 in breeze
2 2corridor
4
• plan
3 is designed to be one room deep to
maximise cross ventilation
• front porch to provide active street frontage
• big side yard
• external courtyard living area

1:1000@A1 08.04.2008
 House Type 2- Small Lot
Single Level
18-20m
LOT SIZE AND TYPE

• 18-20m width x 25m depth - front loaded mid block

PREFERED ORIENTATION

• orientate through living wing to capture breezes and address the

street frontage
• services and utility zones on western side
• heavily shaded living and lounge areas face east and north/south

18-20

25

House Type 2- Small Lot

25m
N

Single Level
SUPER LOT MATRIX
•HOUSE
preferred lot allocation

• Affordable Home
• 3 bedrooms1 1 1 1 1
• 2 bathroom
3 4
• double front loaded garage
• wide street
2 frontage
2 integrates
2 2 with
2 adjoining
homes, shallow lot saves money
• Living wing is located in breeze corridor to
maximise cross ventilation
• front porch to provide active street frontage
• big side yard
• external courtyard living area

1:1000@A1 08.04.2008

D H A M u i r h e a d Masterplan Option 1:1

 House Type 3- Duplex
Double Level/Front Loaded

LOT SIZE AND TYPE D U P L E x H O M E

• 20m width x 27-30m depth - front loaded corner block
20m
PREFERED ORIENTATION

• orientate through living to capture breezes

• external living is to the south rear yard shaded by second level
• NW to front facade
• shared driveway running NW/SE
• building can address both street frontages
• second double garage can come of secondary street

20

House Type 3- Duplex

27-30m
27

Double Level/Front
N
Loaded Upper Floor

HOUSELOT MATRIX
SUPER
• preferred lot allocation
• Duplex
• affordable homes
• 2/37 bedrooms 1
• shared bathroom
• through living on ground floor No
• Unit 1 single attached front loaded garage
4
8
• Unit 2 double detached rear loaded garage
• 180 sqm living

Ground Floor
1:1000@A1 08.04.2008
Note that in this simulation all the openings for each house in the development were open. This
allowed air to move more freely from one side of the development to other. If the openings in the
houses on the northern side of the development were closed, slower speeds may be experienced on
the southern side of the development due to the additional obstruction of doors. The detrimental effect
of closed openings would be small, however, in light of the large number of air changes per hour
reported.

Figure 19: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 2 in north-westerly wind conditions.

Figure 17: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 1 in north-westerly wind conditions.

Figure 20: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 2. The streamlines show the air blown from a
north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 2.

Figure 18: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 1. The streamlines show the air blown from a
north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 1.

DHA Muirhead
DHA Muirhead Wind and Ventilation Analysis
Figure 21: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 3 in north-westerly wind conditions. Figure 23: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 4 in north-westerly wind conditions.

Figure 22: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 3. The streamlines show the air blown from a Figure 24: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 4. The streamlines show the air blown from a
north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 3. north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 4.

DHA Muirhead DHA Muirhead

Wind and Ventilation Analysis Wind and Ventilation Analysis
Figure 25: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 5 in north-westerly wind conditions. Figure 27: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 6 in north-westerly wind conditions.

Figure 26: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 5. The streamlines show the air blown from a Figure 28: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 6. The streamlines show the air blown from a
north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 5. north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 6.

DHA Muirhead DHA Muirhead

Wind and Ventilation Analysis Wind and Ventilation Analysis
Figure 31: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 8 in north-westerly wind conditions. Figure 29: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 7 in north-westerly wind conditions.

Figure 32: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 8. The streamlines show the air blown from a Figure 30: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 7. The streamlines show the air blown from a
north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 8. north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 7.

DHA Muirhead DHA Muirhead

Wind and Ventilation Analysis Wind and Ventilation Analysis
the STREET
28
Indicative Streetscape

the STREET
Indicative Streetscape
The vision is to create a neighbourhood
that is laid back, open and leafy and
embraces the Darwin lifestyle. This
lifestyle is facilitated by a well-located,
well-planned neighbourhoods that are
considered both the social and physical
environment.

A distinctive neighbourhood identity

will be created by responsive housing
solutions which accommodate an array
of needs and lifestyles.

Our aim is to ensure that homes

optimise their natural surrounds to
create a generous sense of space and
a unique quality living environment.

This will be created by the unique

‘breezeway’ concept, responsive
climate design, material palettes and a
mixture of scale and proportion.

CHARACTER
 Mix of lightweight
and masonry
construction

Detail is encouraged on the front

facade. A blend of rendered masonry
and lightweight construction add scale
and texture variation to simple facades,
and diversity.

The following suggested building

materials are robust and economical,
referenced from regional construction;

Fibre Cement, as weatherboards or

sheet with patterned or expressed
joints.

Corrugated metal, either zincalume or

prefinished, for roofs and walls.

Rendered and painted masonry has

excellent thermal properties and a
provides an ideal canvas for feature
colours.

Timber or aluminium screens, and vent

elements for detail and character.

MATERIAL PALETTE
Roof form in detached housing,
has significant influence on the
character of the streetscape. The
objective is to provide a variety
of roof forms that complement
Simple roof form
the home and to provide the
and deep eaves
opportunity for distinct and
regionally appropriate designs

Roof forms give protection to

houses from down pours and
harsh summer sun. Deep eaves
(min 900mm) are encouraged
to provide shady places and for
weather protection.

Elevated homes for

breezes.

the DECENT HAT

Verandah and pergola Front porches add quality living These semi-enclosed living
elements integrated with areas which address and engage spaces create the opportunity
the living zones and front with the street. This creates for a direct relationship between
facade will offer occupants the a positive relationship to the internal and external living areas.
opportunity to relax outside street and its neighbours whilst
in a sheltered area, and take enhancing passive surveillance. These verandah elements also
advantage of the ‘breezeway’ reduce the bulk of the facade.
in a ‘big sideyard’.

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP FRONT PORCH VERANDAHS + PERGOLAS

TO THE STREET THE BREEZEWAY + BIG SIDEYARD

SEMI-ENCLOSED LIVING SPACES

Pergola as verandah Verandah as Pergola and masonry
element extension of eave column

1.5m min 1.5m min 1.5m min 1.5m min

C R E AT E A P R O M I N E N T S T R E E T A D D R E S S W I T H A N ‘ O U T D O O R ’ F E E L . . .

1m min Garage/Carport 1m min

set back to reduce Connection between internal
1.5m min
1.5m min dominance and external living areas

Welcoming verandah
Active surveillance

NATURAL SURVEILLANCE
Positive relationship to
street
CURRENT EXAMPLES
CURRENT EXAMPLES
CURRENT EXAMPLES
CURRENT EXAMPLES
 dry season
breezes
Shaded walls
1. home design principles tree provides shade

Contain a description of core planning principles <5xh Thick and insulated roof + wide eaves Insulate non shaded areas and wind pushes down
to shade walls provide reflective surface
for the community. They cover elements such openable walls
as front setbacks, garages, private open space, pergola shading
POS
or sliding
elements
environmentally sustainable design and linear rectangular
wet season N
breezes
services.
Use plans with one room depth to Separation of primary living areas The distance between should be generally Shade outdoor spaces, walls Provide lightweight construction Provide tall trees for shade
capturing prevailing breezes in residential and openings no walls are required.
encourage ideal movement of breezes be 5 time the height, except where and to direct the breeze through the
through the building. Living areas communities is essential. Avoid wind buildings are elevated from surrounding building
should be orientated to capture shadow. dwellings.
prevailing breezes.

2. architectural character
requirements
Contain a description of the mandatory character
elements the dwelling facades must achieve.
Examples of appropriate elevations, materials,
colours, verandahs, and entry features will be
provided as a kit of parts for integration with the
facade design.
Positive relationship to the street Front Porch The Greenway Decent Hat The Breezway One Room Deep

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP TO THE STREET

MIXTURE OF SCALE AND
PROPORTION MIXTURE OF BUILDING
DECENT HAT
ELEVATED FRONT PORCH THE GREENWAY MATERIALS

3. home classification plan 4. building envelope plans

ENSUITE

The home classification plan contains a Envelopes for all allotments are provided linear plan
LAUNDRY

BATH
BED 1

classification for each lot type, examples which govern building form, Private open form created
BED 2
by envelope Breezeway
of planning principles, internal and space location, garage location, entry
BED 3

external are given for each type. This location and location of living areas.
is supplemented with an example FAMILY

floor plans to demonstrate the desired Building envelope plans will in be in excess
KITCHEN LIVING DINING
outcome. of the setbacks and will dictate the desired
home planning outcome.
GARAGE
Front Setback

Greenway N

Setback Plan Building Envelope Plan Zoning Plan Floor Plan Type 1

vibes & visions Muirhead Concept Planning

Tract Consultants Landscape Architects, Planners & Urban Designers
OVERVIEW
t (07) 3229 7444 f (07) 3229 7400 www.tract.net.