story RATING |
 5.00 (Highly recommend) from 3 votes (1381 Visits) |
|
|
Sustainable House Day, Darlington, SA |
|
Category: Sustainable House Day 2009 |
 |
by darlington  (August 2009) (rank 2nd) |
|
Brookside Castle
Sustainable solution in the suburbs, on a sloped block of 350m2. A modern, functional affordable family home with a compact design that has room for living. Incorporating passive solar design, low embodied energy, low toxicity, water and energy efficiency, grid-connect solar power, local native and productive garden.
Type: New family home using conventional building
Architect: Designed and built by owner Karen Palmer, Building Designer and Builder
Unique Sustainable Elements featured in this home
Water Harvesting
Rainwater collected in 23,000L poly tank, pumped for about 50% household use and topped up with mains water when required. Greywater from bathroom and laundry wastewater, treated by onsite wetland garden and pumped to sub-surface irrigation.
External Walls
Lightweight timber frame construction with a combination of corrugated Zincalume and fibre cement sheet cladding, highly insulated and lined with reflective foil.
Internal Walls
Standard plasterboard internal linings, walls dividing living and bedroom zones insulated.
Roof
Colorbond roofing highly insulated and lined with reflective foil blanket, in off white – the most heat reflective colour available. Pitched to allow maximum solar access from the north during winter and an opposing pitched roof facing north for solar panels and solar hot water. Overhangs designed for maximum shading during summer.
Floor
Structural concrete slab has been ground and sealed making the most of the thermal mass and maximising the effectiveness of the sun’s heat during winter, whilst using the barest of materials for a durable and attractive finish. The sealant is a low VOC product that is long lived (10 years), waterproof and easy to recoat.
Window Treatments
Aluminium window frames by conventional manufacturer that minimise heat transfer through the frames due to their reveal lining design, and are double glazed.
Solar or Wind Generation
1kW grid-connect solar power system, amorphous panels on 15 pitch north facing roof.
Heating & Cooling
All passive heating and cooling; maximising sun, shading, insulation, thermal mass, ventilation and capturing prevailing breezes.
Water Heating
Solar panel hot water heating with 300L storage tank and off-peak electric boost.
Appliances
Induction cooktop, vented fridge cavity, low water and energy dish drawers and front-loading washing machine, highly insulated oven, and steam oven.
Other
Vented pantry, water saving plumbing and tapware, low energy lighting, and more!
