More than 30 years after Solar House Day was first held in the ACT, the Australian Institute of Architects returns to a midwinter event to recognise the work of local architects and their climate-appropriate energy-efficient housing for the Canberra region.

Solar House Day will feature architects' contributions to the development of energy-efficient passive solar and sustainable house design that responds to its climatic environment.

The Solar House Day lecture will be held at the Shine Dome on Wednesday, July 23, from 5pm. The Solar House Day bus tours will be held on Sunday, July 27 and August 3.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the lecture and tours. To book, please email act@architecture.com.au or phone 02 6208 2100.

These houses, and others to be featured, will be included on the Solar House Day bus tours.

Mor House
Architect:  Peter Overton, TT Architecture

This house commands an eagle-eye view over Lake George from its position on a narrow slice of level land at the very edge of the escarpment.  The house was built in 2002 and is largely an autonomous building with passive solar heating and cooling, solar water heating,  grid-feedback solar electricity, independent water and sewage treatment.  The owners have spent their time well in planting thousands of trees and shrubs to help stabilise the steep land, once commercially grazed, and to enhance the breathtaking beauty of this site.

The house demonstrates many aspects of sustainable design for difficult sites. Not least of the challenges was a stipulation from the Shire Council that the house be invisible to motorists as they passed by 300 metres below on the Federal Highway.  This requirement shaped many decisions relating to the building geometry and materials.

Wright House
Architect: Jigsaw Housing
Photographer: Rodrigo Vargas

Year-round comfort, energy efficiency and a cost-effective build were central to the wish list for this young family’s new home in Wright. The clients’ brief guided several key design elements: an efficient floor plan to reduce the home’s overall size on the block; easy access to a large backyard for the family to enjoy; and a lined storage space adjacent to the single carport for bikes and camping gear.

Wonderful passive heating is provided by a north-facing, insulated, polished concrete floor in the living area. The only active source of heating in the home is a super-efficient European wood-pellet stove. Supported by comprehensive wall, floor and ceiling insulation, as well as PVC-framed double-glazed windows and a well-sealed building envelope, this system is low-cost and highly efficient: in winter, a fan circulates the warm air, pulling it through a series of ducts throughout the home and into the bedrooms.