Sarah Lebner of Light House Architecture and Science wants to see smarter house designs. Photo: Rodrigo Vargas Sarah Lebner is the lead architect at Light House Architecture and Science.
TT: Housing affordability is a hot topic at the moment. What do you think the answer is?
SL: Well it’s easy to sit around and wait for action “from the top” in regards to housing affordability, but we should also be tackling it from the bottom. To do this, we need to start with good design. Respect for smart design has suffered over recent decades; we’ve forgotten to orient buildings to capture the winter sun, we’ve been tempted by quantity over quality and we’ve been lazily pumping out the same bland housing models; predominantly small apartments or sprawling single residential blocks.
TT: Who’s to blame for this “laziness”? Do we point the finger at the architects, the developers, the planners, or the house hunters?
SL: We should all share this responsibility. The architects should be practicing what they preach. The developers should be exploring different models that invest in communities, rather than just quick sales. The planners should constantly question how their rules limit or promote innovation. The house hunters should use their voice and their money to send a message to the market.
TT: So is your firm practicing what it preaches?
SL: Yes. We’ve been working really hard the last four years developing our modular design process. We think it’s a bit of a game-changer as it combines the efficiencies of “off-the-plan” with the sensibilities of “bespoke design”.
TT: Modular? Does that mean pre-fabricated?
SL: No. It’s strictly a modular design system. We’ve distilled a collection of pre-designed room types (kitchens, bathrooms etc.) that can then be cleverly arranged to suit a specific site, orientation, and the client’s brief. We’ve also pulled together a limited selection of fittings, fixtures and finishes, so that the design process is shorter, and realistic cost guides can be given to the client from the very first concept stage. This approach, combined with input from our in-house science team, means that we have simplified the pathway towards well-designed, cost effective, energy efficient housing.
TT: How much does it cost to build one of these modular homes?
SL: Typical family size modular homes range from $440,000-$540,000 (construction cost) – that’s including lots of integrated joinery and storage, the high quality windows required to achieve an 8-star EER rating, even the letterbox and light fittings! Smaller two-bedroom homes start at around $300,000.
TT: Are other architect’s working to solve this problem too?
SL: Certainly. Our local Institute of Architects have formed a housing taskforce to demonstrate innovative housing developments by other local architects to inspire politicians, industry and individuals – keep an eye out for it!
TT: You seem really passionate about this. Why is that?
SL: Our homes are where so much of our “life” takes place. They are also the biggest purchase we make in our lives. We should care about that. We should make sure we’re doing it right and that everyone has a comfortable and inviting place to call home.
Tony Trobe is director of the local practice TT Architecture. Is there a planning or design issue in Canberra you’d like to discuss? Email tonytrobe@ttarchitecture.com.au