The owner of this property, who's a retired ecology lecturer, had been designing this earth-covered passive solar house for over 30 years with successive groups of students. Building construction was started in 1999, and the owner took up residence in 2001. Apart from the 800mm of soil covering most of the roof, there are lots of unique or at least 'different' features to this house. These include laser-etched skylights, a stone shelf in the pantry and non-pvc pipe-work. The house and its contents are integrated with the owner's philosophies and bushland setting of the property.
** PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TOURS FOR THIS HOUSE ON SUSTAINABLE HOUSE DAY MUST BE BOOKED **
Two tours only of this house are conducted during the day. They will be from 10am to 12noon & from 2pm to 4pm. Note that the tour duration will be approximately 2 hours, and that group sizes are limited to 10 people. Please note that due to safety concerns children are not permitted to take part in the tours. If you are interested in taking part in these tours, you need to contact Graham Hunt by email at gehunt@netspace.net.au to book your place.
New or Retrofit: Purpose Built
Climate Zone: Eastern Sydney – BCA Climate Zone 5, Nathers Climate Zone 56.
Unique Sustainable Elements featured in this home
Water Harvesting Systems 20,000 litres of rainwater supplies household needs
External Walls Concrete blocks
Internal Walls High thermal mass, using fly ash blocks
Roof Concrete roof with soil over allowing garden on the roof
Floor Concrete slab for more thermal mass.
Window Treatments Windows double-glazed. Some windows have electrically controlled roller shutters to help regulate indoor temperature.
Solar or Wind Power Generation PV system installed
Heating & Cooling Passive heating and cooling.
Other Unique Features Clivus Multrum composting toilet
(August 2009) (
