Climate Zone: Hot dry summers, cool winters
New double level residential dwelling: Purpose built to take advantage of a northerly aspect and contours of building block.
Designed by architectural draftsman: Aaron Murray, Lane Cove, NSW.
Sustainable features:
Positioning: Selection of building block and siting of house was based on maximising northerly aspect in winter but minimal solar input in summer.
Water efficiency:
Water harvesting: Two above ground water tanks capture rain water from main roof areas. Overflow from the northern 4,000 L water tank is redirected to the main 25,000 L water tank. The tank water is used for the garden and domestic consumption, but can be supplemented with town water. Grey water from a dual tank septic system is used to water a native plant garden.
Toilets: 4A rated cistern
Other features: Low flow showerheads and taps reduce water consumption. Low maintenance, drought tolerant Australian natives and heavy mulching reduce need for watering the gardens around the house.
Energy Efficiency
External walls: External walls at ground level are split faced coloured concrete blocks forming a plinth for the first floor. The external walls of the first floor are timber framing clad with a combination of rendered Hebel panelling painted in a light colour and painted plywood panelling. All external timber framed walls have reflective foil lining with R3.0 rockwool insulation.
Roofing: Light coloured Zincalume with aircell and rockwool insulation achieve an R 5 rating. Laminated timber rafters stop heat transfer through structure.
Water heating: Solar water storage tank and electric boost. Supplementary water heating is only needed during extensive periods of overcast days.
Internal Walls: Gyprock throughout with concrete filled trombe wall in front hallway to capture heat from winter sun.
Floor: Suspended concrete slab on northern side with dark tiles throughout. Polished cypress pine floors over yellow tongue in southern kitchen and main living area.
Windows: Low-E glazing and blinds have been used for reduction of heat loss during colder months and at night. Heat transfer from aluminium window frames is minimised by having wooden interiors.
Lighting: Low voltage lighting has been installed throughout. Natural lighting has been maximised to remove the need for artificial lighting during the day.
Heating/Cooling: Thermal mass in floors and trombe wall retains heat during the day in winter reducing supplementary heating at night. Zoned ducted gas heating provides supplementary heating. Cross ventilation achieved with double hung windows to the south and clerestory windows to the north. Wide eaves reduce direct summer sun entering the house for most of the day.
Other features: Polycarbonate roofing over deck on the southern and western sides and retractable awning to the northwest reduce summer solar input. Seamless flow from inside house to outside landscaped garden.
Energy generation: Solar and wind generation fed into the grid are future considerations for self efficiency. >
(August 2009) (
