One thing we pride ourselves on in the office is our attention to clarity and detail in our documentation, alongside the careful consideration of council controls, context and BCA requirements. Although a more modest alterations and additions project, we feel the above has played a pivotal role in the very quick turnaround for DA consent in the Inner West Council for our Petersham residence. The project is now approved in under 7 weeks since lodgement and we couldn't be happier for our clients.
Introducing Crookwell
It’s not every day a Greenfield site comes across my desk, working in the dense urban context of Sydney’s inner city, so I’ve been excited by this new commission in Crookwell - located in the upper Lachlan region of New South Wales.
In concept design, we are working with a local builder and trades to confirm early budgeting and feasibility on the project, and look forward to progressing work on a complying development application in the new year.
Introducing Daceyville
I’m proud to share a new project in the studio - alterations and additions to an existing semi-detached dwelling in Sydneys southern suburb of Daceyville. This substantial addition includes a new two storey addition at the rear of the home, plunge pool and rear garden studio.
The works have been designed for a complying development certificate (CDC) pathway, so I look forward to jumping into documentation on this project in the new year.
Clovelly DA Approved
We are thrilled for our clients this week after gaining approvals for our Clovelly residence through Randwick City Council. We are proud to have delivered a great outcome for our clients, with minimal pushback from council, testament to a design that is sensitive to the surrounding context while increases the liveability and amenity of the existing dwelling.
Existing and proposed images below:
Bondi Beach Apartment starts construction
I’m thrilled to see our Bondi Beach apartment project start on site this week, thanks to the team at Reed Developments who we glad to be working with again. The project involves substantial refurbishment to a top floor apartment, including new glazing, finishes, electrical, joinery and bathroom fit out. I’ve skillfully managed approvals through a CDC pathway, including a very complex Class 2 regulated design approval. I look forward to seeing the project completed early in the new year.
Petersham Residence DA Submitted
We’ve recently submitted to the Inner West Council a development application for modest alterations and additions to an existing semi-detached dwelling in Petersham.
The clients approached us with a number of challenges - a poorly planned rear living space with little connection to the rear garden, which had a lack of light, ventilation and outlook, and a cramped rear entertaining space which needed re-thinking. Our design used a light touch approach, maintaining the existing kitchen and laundry which were in good condition, and inserting a new living and dining space between this and the existing home. We proposed large sliding doors and high level glazing to offer better connection to the rear yard and increased light and outlook to this space. A new family bathroom with skylight is placed between this space and the existing bedrooms, and a mud-room adjacent provides side access to the dwelling.
Erskineville Residence reaches lockup
Another great milestone reached on our Erskineville residence project this week, with lockup achieved on site thanks to the team at Frontier Projects. Recent dryer weather has provided great building conditions, with the project now ahead of schedule.
We’ve worked extensively with Frontier to ensure the double glazed windows and skylights are meticulously installed to provide acoustic and thermal performance for the home. We look forward to seeing rough-in completed over the next month, ready for finishes to start being installed prior to Christmas.
Clovelly Residence DA Lodged
We are pleased to have submitted our proposal to Randwick Council for our Clovelly Residence project. This project involved the careful replanning of an existing thee storey semi-detached dwelling to provide for a new parents master retreat, which captures expansive views to Clovelly beach and the ocean beyond. Careful consideration was given to the existing roof form, to ensure minimal existing built fabric was disturbed. Dormer window additions at front and rear visually reduce the scale of the proposal while providing light and ventilation to new interior spaces.
Tesla Powerwall 3 launched
I was excited to be invited to the launch of the Tesla Powerwall 3 home battery storage system in Sydney recently. This upgrade to the current Powerwall 2 product brings with it a variety of new features which enhance performance, increase durability, make installation easier and reduces packaging waste - to make what Tesla calls “the best value home battery solution on the market”. Without testing the unit personally to confirm these claims it’s hard to confirm or deny, however on paper the unit does look impressive.
While the physical size and battery storage capacity remains the same as the Powerwall 2 at 13.5kwh, the main performance upgrade the Powerwall 3 gets is an integrated solar inverter which increases the solar to grid efficiency to 97.5% (as opposed to 87% of a typical external inverter - I was told by staff). This means the unit can support up to 20kw of solar power input (roughly 50 x 400w panels)
The Powerwall 3 supports 3 solar inputs and can deliver up to 10kw of power on backup power, up from the 7kw of the previous unit. The battery is also scaleable up to 4 units, and coming in 2025 a system expansion feature will be launched, allowing further capacity.
Tesla claim that with current energy market prices the Powerwall 3, when coupled with a solar PV can deliver savings of 77% over 10 years. Given the fluctuation in energy prices seen in recent times now that renewables are powering 39.4% of the Australian grid (Clean Energy Council figures) Tesla are spruiking the benefits of the product as a standalone installation without solar. Being able to draw energy from the grid at times of low cost (middle of the day on sunny/windy days), then using this at night time when demand is high is reported to reduce a yearly energy bill by more than half.
The new unit is IP67 rated and can operate in temperatures from -20 > +50º C, we don’t recommend installing in water features like the above image, however we’re impressed by the overall durability of the unit. The Powerwall 3 also features battery pre-conditioning technology, which will anticipate when power from the sun will be available, and pre-heats or cools the battery cells to ensure optimum conditions for charging.
Great work Tesla, I’m looking forward to seeing one of these units go into one of my projects soon…
Camperdown Residence Approved
Thrilled this week to receive approval for our Camperdown residence project in the Inner West Council. The scheme proposed a new rear laneway crossover and parking space, first floor additions and an attic conversion with rear facing dormer window. This provides much needed space for a growing young family, in close proximity to parks and schools in the thriving King Street precinct.
Bondi Beach Apartment Tender Issued
We’ve reached a milestone this week on our Bondi Beach apartment project, with tender documentation heading out to selected builders. This exciting project sees the existing apartment completely re-envisaged, with new kitchen, bathroom, laundry, robe joinery, lighting, electrical and finishes thoughout.
Our main challenge involved the demolition of some internal structure to create a new open plan living, kitchen and dining space, while maintaining a functional layout for dining and lounge areas. Privacy issues were address to neighbouring buildings by modifying some openings, while a large pass-through window to the kitchen helps activate the large outdoor terrace dining area for summer afternoon bbq’s.
Coogee Residence approved
We’re thrilled to announce our Coogee residence gained DA approval this week in Randwick Council. The scheme includes a new third storey addition and rear garage studio to provide for the needs of a growing young family.
Erskineville Residence construction starts
We are thrilled this week to see our Erskineville residence commence construction. The team from Frontier Projects, who also built our Darlington Residence, are well through demolition, as always uncovering some interesting existing conditions. This is always the challenge dealing with terrace homes with shared party walls, layers of existing construction hidden under floors and behind walls, rising damp and poor termite protection.
We are looking forward to sharing further progress on this exciting new project as works progress.
Rosebery Residence featured in Habitus Living
We’re thrilled to share that our Rosebery Residence has been featured this week by Habitus Living. Read the full story here.
A quick guide to battery storage in your home
Battery storage systems in a home work by storing excess electricity generated by sources such as solar photovoltaic panels (PV’s) or wind turbines. The system consists of batteries, an inverter to convert DC power to AC power, and a monitoring system to track energy flow. This can generally be packaged into one unit known as ‘storage in a box’. When the solar panels produce more electricity than needed, the excess is sent to the batteries for storage. During times of high demand or when solar energy is not sufficient, the stored electricity is used to power the home. Overall, battery storage systems help increase energy efficiency, reduce reliance on the grid, and provide backup power during outages - which is important if you are running home medical equipment that needs an uninterrupted power supply.
Tesla Powerwall system - source: Ricky Courtney, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How much do they cost?
The economical viability of battery systems is still challenging, with most payback coming from the solar PV system rather than the battery. In most cases, the payback period for battery storage with a PV system may be longer than the standard 10 year battery warranty. For example, a standalone battery may save you upwards of $900 a year, with the current Tesla Powerwall 2 costing around $17,000-$18,000 fully installed. Market prices haven’t dropped as much in recent years as predicted, or in some cases has increased, due to strong demand for batteries coming from the electric vehicle market.
What rebates are available?
The NSW government has announced new incentives for residential battery systems, coming into place November 1st 2024. The rebates include up to $2,400 for up-front installation costs of a battery for homes with existing solar PV’s, and additional benefits for those connecting to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). Alternatively other councils are offering further incentives:
If you live in Randwick City Council you can recieve a 10% or maximum $1,000 rebate on battery storage installations.
In southern NSW council areas, the Smart Distributed Batteries Project is delivering a $4,950 discount on a Tesla Powerwall 2 battery system. This initiative is supported by a $5.4 million grant to develop a 6MW VPP and encourages battery installation by offering discounts for joining the VPP.
Depending on how much energy you need in your own home overnight when your solar PV panels aren’t generating energy, you may want to export electricity to the grid in high demand times, particularly after 5pm. Feed in tariffs at this time may be higher than during the day, and help offset the cost of the battery system.
Where can I locate the battery in my home?
The standards for battery installations in the home are governed by Australian Standard 5139 (current version 2019). Besides complying with this standard, any battery installation should also be completed by a Clean Energy Council accredited installer. Generally speaking, batteries can be installed internally or externally to your home.
If internally this need to be installed in a non-habitable room, like a garage or store room. You need to ensure adequate room is allowed around exits and other appliances. Ceiling spaces, wall cavities, stairways or fire egress routes are to be avoided.
If externally, this needs to meet the weatherproofing requirements of the selected battery system, and be located at least 600mm way from any window that ventilates a habitable room. It is also important to consider the temperature ranges that the unit will be exposed to and whether this is within the prescribed limits.
The battery unit needs to be protected from spreading fire to the dwelling, and this requires a non-combustible surface between the unit and any habitable room behind. Examples of this non-combustable lining include brick or masonry block, concrete, compressed cement sheeting, or ceramic/terracotta tile. This surface must extend 600mm beside, 900mm above and below the battery unit.
What can they run?
This all depends on the size of the battery system, however for example the 13.5kWh Tesla Powerwall 2 can provide more than half of the daily power required for a typical 4 person home, which uses approximately 20kWh according to the CSIRO. These batteries can also run air conditioning systems, depending on other power loads in the home. It isn’t too far to say that a home could be self sufficient from the grid if an adequate PV array is connected.
How safe are they?
Home battery installations are incredibly safe, thanks to Australia’s strict standards and regulations. It is however important that you purchase a reputable brand, make sure it is installed by a licensed professional in the correct way, maintained regularly and disposed of properly at the end of life.
How long will they last?
Currently, according to Solar Quotes founder Finn Peacock, a lithium Ion battery system will last 15-17 years, or around 7000 cycles. If the battery is exposed to higher temperatures or worked very hard this lifespan can reduce.
What about my EV Battery?
With electric vehicles (EV’s) becoming more popular, some models are capable of being used to act as a home battery system, both charging and supplying power back to the home. These are currently all vehicles with a CHAdeMO charge port. While this technology is available, it is currently under review from a legislative perspective to ensure safety concerns are addressed in most parts of the country. According to JetCharge, a leading supplier and installer of EV charging infrastructure, the only Australian jurisdiction that has approved V2G bidirectional chargers for install and use is South Australia.
Battery systems face economic viability challenges due to high costs and long payback periods, with limited rebates available and specific installation and safety requirements, but they can significantly contribute to home energy needs and integrate with EV batteries for additional power supply.
This information is general in nature and correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing. Please make your own enquiries before selecting or purchasing a battery system.
Sources:
Renew Magazine issue 152, www.renew.org.au
Smart Energy Council of Australia
Australian government department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Last edited 20.06.2024
Our resource guide launched
The process of renovating or building your new home is a daunting one, with a myriad of issues to juggle, including approvals, budget, construction timeframes - not to mention functional and aesthetic choices. We’ve distilled the core questions we ask our clients when we first meet into a handy new resource - “5 Questions to ask yourself before speaking to an Architect”. The guide helps you when starting out, helping you define your scope and the services you may require, the relevant approvals you may need, and how you are going to build and finance your new home. We hope this is a valuable resource, setting you in good stead as you start on your journey of renovating or building.
Download the guide on our resources page.
Rosebery photographed
We’re looking forward to sharing images of our recently photographed project, our Rosebery residence, shot by the talented Katherine Lu and styled by Holly Irvine Studio. Completed in 2022, we had to wait a couple of years for the landscaped roof to settle in - but the wait has been worth it!
Woollhara DA Approved
We are thrilled to see our Woollahra project approved at the Local planning panel meeting this week. This contemporary new additional sits harmoniously in its heritage context and provides a much needed upgrade to the existing dwelling.
Rear Garden View
Street Photomontage
Coogee DA Lodged
We are pleased to see our Coogee Terrace project lodged with Randwick City Council this week. The project involves a new rear garage studio addition to provide much needed extra accomodation for visiting relatives, and a new third storey master bedroom suite to the main dwelling. The scheme respectfully considers the existing building form and offers a clean new coastal palette to the home.
Erskineville DA Approved
Another win in council this month with our Erskineville terrace project approved in the City of Sydney. We managed a great outcome for our clients with 2 additional bedrooms and bathroom located in a new second storey addition.
