A newly constructed, light and bright residence near the sea. The owners are at the fine tuning stage and deciding what finishing touches to apply for optimum energy management.
The C-shape home is arranged over two living areas linked by an indoor pool. The pool provides thermal mass for summer and winter. When the adjacent row of hopper windows is opened it provides evaporative cooling. The floor slab is equipped with hydronic heating and cooling pipes. No airconditioning is installed or necessary and flow-through ventilation is particularly effective.
New or retro: New
Architect: Warwick O’Brien. Project managed and built by the owners
Unique Sustainable Elements featured in this home
Water Harvesting
Above ground tank of 15kl which is located in the basement and is to be plumbed into the house.
External Walls
‘Rapid Wall’ lightweight, hollow concrete panel, filled with either Tontine insulation or concrete as required to achieve thermal insulation or thermal mass as desired in each area.
All external walls are painted with Aztec light coloured reflective paint to reduce heat gain.
One south facing wall is double glazed in a conservatory style with glass roof to provide both light and warmth during winter.
Internal Walls
Rapidwall, mainly concrete filled for thermal mass and noise insulation.
The internal walls and room open space on the southern section are designed to encourage natural circulation for upward venting of hot air.
Roof
Light colour, Ritek custom panel consisting of Colourbond steel with a foam insulation sandwich. Insulation value R3. Pitch 10 deg with eaves that allows in the winter sun and provides shade in summer. A large curved span over the pool provides space and improves thermal efficiency.
Floor
Concrete floors throughout with a burnished ashpalt finish that enhances heat absorption and ease of cleaning. Clever grooving of slab creates tile like patterns to help break up large expanse of slab.
The floor absorbs winter sun in the north facing living area. The slab is fitted with hydronic heating pipes for (future) in-floor heating and cooling. Draft excluders on all external doors.
Window Treatments
All windows except the large curved front window are double glazed with aluminium frames. The line of hopper windows beside the pool are electrically operated to control airflow and provide a degree of evaporative air conditioning.
Solar or Wind Generation
Grid connected using 100% Green Power. Power consumption being monitored as part of ‘tuning’ the house.
Heating & Cooling
The house is “C” shaped which allows good cross ventilation in summer to cool bedrooms and living areas when the southern doors are opened. Good solar gain in winter. A small oil heater currently used for winter heating but is a short term measure.
No air conditioning installed or planned. Ceiling fans installed in all bedrooms and living areas.
Water Heating
A north-facing Solarhart panel with electric boosting. A hot water ring main circulates water and reduces ‘dead-legs’ and the need to run-off cold water before the hot arrives.
Appliances
All down lights are CFLs.
C-Bus system installed allowing flexible and total control of the entire house.
Other
A pergola in the central C section is to be completed but will provide shade for the southern section as well as an entertaining area. Drainage system is designed for future greywater catchment. Fruit orchard out the back.
White ant treatment is “Termimesh” with no chemicals.
Only 2 skips of rubbish filled during construction. All other materials being sent to recyclers.
(August 2009) (
