After 4 years of planning, developing, dust collecting and now finally finishing, our much anticipated little house on the Brae is complete! Just in the nick of time...
We are throwing open the thermally broken, double glazed, low-e doors to all on Sustainable House Day 2011. Sunday Sept 11, 10am - 4pm.
Twilight Brae is our first housing project under Splice Projects, and it has been a labour of love. But with all births, the pain is becoming a dim memory and we are now very proud of our arrival.
To minimise waste, water and energy consumption, and to minimise impacts on the site, the house was 80% completed in the back yard of our workshop. Once transported onsite, the parasol roofs, decks and services were finalised.
Set on 14 acres, the house faces due north, maximising solar gain in winter and reducing heat gain in summer. The windows and doors are thermally broken and double glazed. The unique flooring system comprises recycled fly ash in the concrete, with a layer of polystyrene insulation. Walls and roof are also insulated. Window openings and louvre placement enables optimal cross flow ventilation. Rain water is harvested from the roof space into 4 large rainwater tanks. The black water recycling system feeds planted trees. We currently have an evacuated tube hot water system and plans are underway to install grid connected PV cells. Throughout the process we tried to choose as sustainably as possible, while keeping longevity and durability in mind.
Twilight Brae is surrounded by bush reserve on two sides and local wildlife and unique flora is abundant. On the property there is open pasture, a dam full of frogs, native wandoo bushland, hidden deep gullies and a winter creek. The kids love disappearing and exploring. The views to the north are spectacular, overlooking the valley and native bush. The result is a highly efficient and wonderfully livable home.
The MOST exciting part of the project is being able to offer the experiential side of living in a sustainable/sensibly designed home. Twilight Brae will be available for short term holiday accommodation through the Stayz website. We really love this place and I am sure others will enjoy it just as much as we have.
(August 2011) (
