Sapling
Anderson Architecture
Sapling stands as a beacon of sustainability in residential design, achieving the prestigious Passivhaus Premium certification. This architecturally striking home, tailored for a growing family in Sydney’s inner west, exemplifies how sustainable building practices can be seamlessly integrated into everyday living. Through the implementation of Passivhaus principles and the installation of solar panels, Sapling produces more energy than it consumes, offering year-round thermal comfort while preserving the indoor-outdoor lifestyle cherished by its inhabitants.
Originally designed around two mature trees—a Jacaranda and a Cheese Tree—Sapling faced an unexpected challenge when the Cheese Tree had to be removed due to structural defects. In its place, a new sapling was planted, symbolizing renewal and growth. The home’s design echoes this transition, breathing new life into the site and demonstrating a more efficient way of building and living.
Sapling’s north orientation maximizes sunlight and daylight access, with high-performance windows and glazing aiding in passive solar heating. Operable glazing throughout the home allows for natural ventilation, while a high level of airtightness and a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system ensures fresh air circulation when windows are closed. The house’s Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) structure, wrapped in woodfibre insulation and sustainable cladding, contributes to a negative Global Warming Potential of approximately -0.03kg CO2 eq.
The home also features low VOC paints, recycled material benchtops, cork flooring, and carbon-neutral concrete, creating a healthy and environmentally responsible living environment. Sapling serves as a sanctuary for its residents, supporting their health and well-being while minimizing its ecological footprint, making it a model of sustainable living in an urban setting.
Photography by Tom Ferguson