Sustainable House Day, Glencoe, SA

New Build: Purpose designed and built by owners

Overview
The aim was to build an energy efficient home using predominantly natural materials with low embodied energy that complemented the rural setting.

The couple researched mud brick home design and building techniques through visiting a number of properties in Gippsland. Mud for construction of the property was sourced on-site and was the material excavated during installation of a 32,000 litre in-ground rainwater tank. The soil was tested for its suitability for mud-brick construction by the owners, who made all of the 2500+ bricks. The home was built to lock-up stage in 12 months during which time the owners lived on- site in a small shed. Being one the first mud brick homes in the area there were quite lengthy negotiations with the local Council who were particularly concerned about ingress of water, especially on the west-side of the building. Time has shown that these concerns were unnecessary, after 17-years the external walls are in excellent condition and any minor weathering can be quickly touched up with a mud render (no more involved than a periodic external paint job). The house is north facing with all the living areas facing north and the verandas are oriented to maximise passive solar heating and weather protection.

Water Harvesting
The large roof area supplies a 32,000 litre in-ground concrete tank and a 9,000 litre above-ground polypro tank. The roof space is approximately 280 square metres which collects 280 litres of water and so 146mm of rain fills both the tanks. These supply all home requirements and an outside swimming pool. Rainwater is filtered but otherwise untreated. All waste water is treated via a septic tank system

External Walls
Walls are mud brick with a post and beam construction.  Poles hold up roof and support the roof, walls are not load bearing.  Structural timber and panelling used Oregon, stringy bark, and pine with some use of recycled material. No chemicals coatings were applied to the external walls.

Internal Walls
Gyprock layers with insulation in between.

Roof
Colorbond pitched Roof at 30 degree north facing and suitable for solar panels. Sisalation and pink batts insulation.

Floor
Concrete slab with cork tiles or ceramic tiles that acts as a heat sink/source during day/night.

Window Treatments
Single-glazed. Heavy duty curtains and pelmets. In winter curtains are closed at 4pm and opened during day. Curtains closed in summer.

Electricity Generation
Grid connected.  Electric water heater.

Heating and Cooling
Long axis is north facing with the length twice the width to maximise passive heating and cooling. There are verandas on south, west and part of north facing walls. Glass bricks are used instead of a window on the west wall to provide light but maximise insulation. A slow combustion wood stove heats the main lounge area which as a ceiling fan for air circulation.

Appliances
Energy efficient appliances with dishwasher – 2 draw uses 9L of water per cycle.