Lochiel Park Sustainability Centre
Designed as an iconic demonstration of sustainable living, the 7.8 star AccuRate rated Sustainability Centre is an education centre house located on the multiple award winning Lochiel Park ‘green village’ at Campbelltown. The energy-neutral property, which also features triple water source and innovative Eco-Vision monitoring system, will be used as an educational facility for schools, university students and the general public over the next 2-3 years.
The Lochiel Park Green Village master plan is based on sustainability principles including addressing climate change impacts.
A substantial portion of the 15-hectare site has been established as an 'urban forest', incorporating southern wetlands (for stormwater recycling), northern wetlands (as a natural feature that also filters stormwater into the River Torrens) and extensive revegetation. This 'urban forest' links directly to the River Torrens Linear Park and makes a significant contribution to bio-diversity enhancement, community recreation opportunities and off-setting greenhouse gas emissions from homes in Lochiel Park.
Type: New residence completed in 2009. Main house area approx 212 m2 including 3 bedrooms and study, 2 living areas with a separate mews dwelling of 69 m2 on a Community Titled allotment constructed over the rear garages demonstrating an affordable housing option.
Architect: Energy Architecture. House built by Alpine Constructions and finished by Rossdale Homes.
Unique Sustainable Elements featured in this home
Water Harvesting Fit for purpose water supply system including rainwater collected in tanks for all household hot water. Recycled stormwater for toilet flushing, washing machine cold tap connection and irrigation and mains water for other uses.
External Walls Pro Panel (low Embodied energy fibre reinforced magnesium based concrete) external wall linings and Quick ‘n’ Tuff Cementitious and recycled polystyrene wall panel battened from wall frame to create air cavity. Finished with acrylic render coat.
Internal Walls 2 x 13 mm Plasterboard to create thermal mass. Min R1 Tontine acoustic insulation batts.
Roof Skillion and butterfly roofs to maximise access to sun and all roof spaces insulated to an R3.5 rating.
Floor Hebel Power Panel suspended floors (with CFC for wet areas and balconies). Dark tiles on ground creating thermal mass exposed to winter sun.
Window Treatments High thermal performance windows featuring double glazing and high performance single glazing, and timber window framing. Northern facing glazing designed to maximise natural lighting and winter solar heat whilst the shading minimises heat gain during summer.
Heating & Cooling Ducted gas heating to house ground floor. Indirect evaporative (Climate Wizard) cooling to main house. Efficient multi head reverse cycle split system to the mews dwelling. Operable external shades and internal blinds and curtains with pelmets to windows protecting shading.
Water Heating Gas-boosted solar hot water systems that provide a minimum solar contribution of 70%. All hot water pipes well insulated, with minimum insulation of 19 mm.
Appliances Energy efficient appliances that minimise greenhouse gas generation and excessive water use, including 4 star toilets connected to recycled water and one 5 star toilet with integrated hand basin and 3 star shower heads.
Other The EcoVision monitoring system is a feature of the Sustainability Centre, and every home in the Lochiel Park development. The system provides real time graphical monitoring of electricity, gas and water (including rain, recycled and mains) consumption and PV Cell power generated. The system also incorporates a unique Load Management component to limit peak electricity.
(August 2009) (
