Hi all
Relatively new here but finding the discussions hugely useful.
We are renovating our tiny (4m wide, 97sqm block) terrace in Sydney's inner-west to accommodate our growing almost 3-year-old twins. We would love to include as many sustainable features as possible, but of course reality and the budget have their limitations.
The existing 1890-ish double-brick terrace faces east at the front (bedroom 1), then has 2nd bedroom, bathroom, then open-plan living/kitchen which face west on to a small courtyard. It is dark, has poor circulation, and damp issues - though on the positive side is coolish most of the summer.
Our architect designed plans, which we are very happy with, give us much more light, circulation and space. The front 2 bedrooms stay as is; a staircase is built using part of the existing bathroom area to access the attic which will have the back half of the attic roof lifted for a bedroom & ensuite; the living/kitchen are revamped and part of the roof raised to allow for north facing clerestory windows; and the back is opened out to the courtyard via bifolds (with clerestory windows over). There is also a small roof garden.
But we have some considerable design challenges and would love your opinion:
1. WEST FACING ISSUES?: West facing living-room bifolds and clerestory over. I'm aware that this is possibly the worst aspect for such a wall of glass - yet what are we to do since this is the only option we have a for a room looking out to a green area, and expanding the space somewhat by opening up to the courtyard? We are planning double glazed doors including low-e. We will also have a pergola with vines for shade and plan to get a deciduous tree in to help with shade. Thoughts on options? Not sure there are any!
2. ACOUSTIC VS LOUVRES? Our architect specified louvres for the clerestory windows, yet council requires an acoustic report (we are in Enmore which is close to the flight path) which strongly recommends we don't have louvres as the Rw rating is not high enough (28max and we are supposed to have 32). However since the aircraft noise doesn't bother us much, effects only 5 mins a day, and during 2/3 of the year we will probably have windows open anyway, we are inclined to go with the circulating benefits of louvres and sacrifice the acoustics. The other option is DG awnings with 6.38lam and low-e (which would meet the acoustics and also have thermal benefits).
3. GLAZING TYPES AND DG VS LOUVRES? General plan is to go for double glazing including 6.38lam and low-e - however for the north-facing clerestory to just have DG without low-e (to allow for more winter passive solar). Does that sound ok? However if we do end up with clerestory louvres in the kitchen/living, which won't be double glazed, will this undo the benefits of double glazing of the bifold doors and another standard (non-clerestory) window?
Appreciate any input, many thanks
Paul
