Langwarrin House A cosy house with an earthy appeal set in a delightful rural setting.
Using a ‘post and beam’ construction this house sits naturally in it’s environment and use many passive solar design principles as well as providing on-site water storage, heating and treatment.
New build: Purpose built and designed by owners
Unique Sustainable Elements featured in this home
External walls: External walls are made of 200mm thick Timbercrete® bricks laid in between the 250x250mm cypress pine posts which support the roof. Timbercrete® has natural insulation properties and therefore no extra insulation is required.
Internal walls: Most internal walls are made of 100mm thick Timbercrete® bricks laid directly onto the slab. These walls provide insulation between rooms and high thermal mass. Some internal walls are basic frame and plaster (fitted with R2.5 insulation) and are primarily for easy access of services to rooms.
Roof: Light naturally coloured Colourbond® roofing iron, with R3.5 insulation, sisalation and pine lined ceilings.
Floor: Constructed on a concrete slab providing high thermal mass with main living areas covered by slate tiles, wet areas by ceramic tiles, and bedrooms with recycled timber floorboards.
Window treatments: Timber framed doubled glazed windows throughout – floor to ceiling on north and east and minimised on south and west. East and west windows are shaded externally by awnings, removable shade sails and large shade trees.
Heating & Cooling: Wood fire, predominantly collected from site and using waste from buildings sites. Large flyscreened openings on all windows to maximise cross ventilation. Ceiling fans in bedrooms. LPG Gas space heaters main living areas (rarely used).
Water Harvesting: All household water is supplied by a pressure pump connected to 2 x 22500 litre water tanks. Water is harvested off all roofs (400m2) through a positively charged system. (no mains connection). All grey and black water is treated on-site in a self contained sewerage treatment plant.
Water Heating: Edwards LX305 with 3 ‘Australis’ Solar collectors with time switchable electric back up.
Solar or wind generation: 1kW photo-voltaic grid connected solar system with 6 x 175W Sharp panels and Latronics PVE1200 inverter.
Other Features: Many items of furniture made from recycled or reclaimed timer. Low wattage LED & compact-fluro lighting throughout. Owners have compiled comprehensive data for Solar Hot Water energy use, inside and outside temperature comparisons and rainfall over past 5 years.
Special Garden Features: The 1 hectare property is planted throughout with indigenous plants to reduce water requirements and create habitat for native fauna species. Treated out-flow from the sewerage treatment plant is piped to all garden areas around the house and water to each area can be turned or off. Garden watering is supplemented by a dam with fire pump which is piped to all parts of the property. The dam has been designed to provide a natural wetlands area which provides habitat for a number of bird and frog species.
(August 2009) (
