This home was designed on a very small, difficult block of land and restrictions and setbacks applied to 3 boundaries. It is an urban response that was designed so that the owners could retire here and live independently at home in their older years. Access, low maintenance garden and building materials and on-going affordibility with rising utility costs were all considerations.
The owners were also interested in "downsizing" believing that their new home would be smaller and smarter with a belief that to have a small carbon footprint, the first design principle to adhere to was to keep the building as small as possible. The living area of this home is 160m2 and the design of the home allows for flexible use of different spaces.
The building envelope itself is 5+ stars, with great consideration given to the green credentials of the building products, finishes (low VOC), equipment (high star rating (LED and CF) selected, double glazed windows throughout low E. In addition the home has solar hotwater and 20,000L plumbed underground water storage and is run on 100% green energy.
The building is solar passive, maximising winter solar collection and preventing summer solar gain with shading devices. The building also utilises cross ventilation and the heat chimney effect to passively cool the house. During the day, the home temperature is very stable in winter or summer and there is a back up gas fireplace for additional winter heating on the ground floor only. There is no other heating or cooling required in this home.
Tour will be every half hour
This event is organised by the Geelong Sustainability Group in cooperation with Geelong Organic Gardeners and Geelong's Transition Towns and is proudly sponsored by the City of Greater Geelong as key sponsors and Barwon Water as major sponsors. Other sponsors include:
Zero C - ESD Architects/Sustainability Consultants and Energy Assessors, Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Assesors
Phil Hines Photography - most images taken for Geelong region homes and gardens are kindly by Phil
New Earth Systems - Solar thermal heating, ventilation and cooling, energy monitors, permaculture design and education
Nia Dance Geelong - 9 movement forms combined for sustaining body, mind and spirit
Organics Box- Organic and Biodynamic Fruits/Vegetables/Herbs and Groceries in Torquay and Geelong
Sindhiya Soapnuts - 100% Natural Cleaning SoapNuts for a Healthier Home and Planet
Solahart Geelong - Solar hot water and power systems
Transition Bell - www.transitionbell.groupsite.com, Victoria's first transition intiative.
Transition South Barwon - www.transitionsouthbarwon.groupsite.com
Transition Eastern Geelong - www.transitioneastgeelong.groupsite.com
www.geelongsustainability.org.au
(August 2011) (
