House owner designed and built on a small rural acreage south east of Deloraine at 280 m asl. Needed to be both suitable for retirement and.or for future sale.
The house is constructed with thick thermal mass walls and floor using unfired compressed clay bricks, concrete and slate/cork flooring surfaces.
The house has a large number of active and passive solar features.
The house utilises renewable resources with the forty five degree pitched roof being idea for the pv cells and the flat plate solar hot water panel. The latter is interconnected with a wet back wood heater/cooker.
The house has a north facing aspect with most windows on that side. Window treatments include pelmets and reflective curtains.
There is a system to divert ht first rainfall from the water lines linked to the main rainwater tank.
The house plan maximises all the available space but also allows for entertainment and ease of access. With 'old bones' in mind the floor plan ensures that all essential facilities are at ground level. By having an upstairs mezzanine level the house has a small surface footprint.
Some food self provision but until proper hothouses are built there is presently little protection from frost. There is a small orchard providing for a variety of fruits and berries.
(September 2011) (
