story RATING |
 4.73 (Highly recommend) from 2 votes (854 Visits) |
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Sustainable House Day, Newmarket, Queensland |
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Category: Sustainable House Day 2009 |
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by SHD  (August 2009) (rank 13th) |
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A restored 1920 Queenslander, reinstating many of the original design features of the house, adding elements to enhance its liveability and incorporating modern renewable energy and sustainable technology – a home that has the best of both worlds.
Renovation/Retrofit: Restoration and retrofit with the assistance of a conservation architect.
Unique Sustainable Elements featured in this home
Water Harvesting Systems
2 x 9,000 L rainwater tanks under high-set house provide water via a pump to all points inside and outside the house. Mains connection to two points provides backup should tanks run low or pump fail.
External Walls
Weatherboard cladding insulated with wool fibre where alterations were made during restoration.
Internal Walls
VJ single-skin internal walls. Ceilings over 3m high. Fretwork fanlights over internal doors enhance cross-ventilation. Internal brick chimney stack between lounge room and kitchen provides thermal mass.
Roof
Steep-pitched unpainted corrugated iron roof. Ceiling insulated with cellulose fibre.
Floor
Suspended timber floor. Bathroom is tiled, other utility areas have natural linoleum floor covering and remaining floors are coated in tung oil. Floor rugs are used in living areas.
Window Treatments
Timber-framed double hung windows throughout. Double hung sashes in most rooms open top-down to enable secure, weather-proof ventilation during summer. Casements open to north-east to catch cooling summer breezes. External timber blinds and verandah protect west-facing windows from direct sunlight. Glazed fanlights over external doors provide additional ventilation.
Solar or Wind Power Generation
1.5 kW solar grid-connected solar electricity system.
Heating & Cooling
No heating apart from the occasional use of fireplace; no cooling used.
Water Heating
Close-coupled solar hot water system with manually operated electric booster.
Appliances
Gas stove, low-flow shower and tapware, dual-flush toilet and front loading washing machine.
Other
The area of the house was not increased considering social trend to smaller households. Use of recycled materials for restoration. Emphasis on reduction of waste through recycling and composting.
