The roof is the most critical element of the Vaucluse project. It provides the key element in the architectural composition, providing a light, dynamic and horizontal element to complete the composition. It directs the eye along the long northern elevation of the building. This in turn links the house to the iconic Macquarie Light House to the east, and to the views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, city skyline and the Harbour to the west.
However this carefully designed element has also a much more prosaic task that while largely functional, is of equal importance. The low pitch shingle roof was collaboratively designed with Northern Beaches structural engineers and Copper Roof Shingles who provided and ultimately installed the “tergola” asphalt roof shingles which are manufactured in Italy. The steel skeleton which features large overhangs and cantilevers is highly insulated and ventilated to provide maximum thermal performance bearing in mind seasonal differences. The shingles are laid over a substrate of 12mm structural plywood, and a waterproof membrane.
The roof provides shelter and protection from the more hostile aspects of the site while being carefully designed to admit winter sun and cooling breezes in the more frequent favorable times. Water is collected in the large copper gutters and directed through copper downpipes into the 22,000 litre water tank under the ground floor. This water is in turn used for flushing toilets, cloths washing and garden irrigation.
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