Since the Hindmarsh Shire Council Offices is located in a relatively remote rural location exposed to extreme temperature conditions, the building’s thermal performance was a high-priority design focus. To minimize heating and cooling costs, the building was constructed with an earth pipe heat exchange system and underfloor ventilation plenums to draw in fresh air that’s then cooled, or warmed, naturally by the earth and then distributed through the floor grills to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
Related: Sealoch House is a cozy prefab home in the Scottish Highlands
The silo-inspired buildings were constructed with a minimal and locally sourced material palette of Vic Ash timber, steel, and glass, as well as recycled materials from the former building, to reduce the project’s carbon footprint. The offices also incorporate 72 solar panels and LED lighting throughout. Passive solar design, cross-flow ventilation, and zoned motion detecting further minimize energy consumption.
+ k20 Architecture
Images via k20 Architecture
