Mudwall (Thermal Mass) Mama of Nairne

Peramangk,
Nairne,
SA
This home will be open for in-person tours on the 17th May 2026

About this home

Set on an acre of bushland, this 3/4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, office and loft, spacious mansion is as gorgeous as it is environmentally friendly.

Using low electricity due to solar panels, solar hot water boosters and thermal mass together, with a stack of firewood from local trees that have fallen and been repurposed as firewood through the years, it is cosy in winter and cool in summer.

Ventilating southerly-cooling loft windows cool the house at night and then closing windows and blinds maintains the cool all day, until the nightime breeze the next day in summer. The higher windows catch the moon cycle as it grows full each month.

The newer extension receives the northerly sun in winter and remains light year round without electricity needed. The mud brick walls are gently curved and cocooning beckoning friends in to enjoy the nurturing and peaceful ambience.

Friends and family have their best sleeps in years here. Talking with a pot of tea and laughing around the kitchen table or at the outdoor area overlooking the hills opposite with good friends and family seems like heaven.

Come and experience it for yourself.

Q & A

What motivated you to build or retrofit sustainably?
Always loved mudbrick and wanted to keep in style with it
The office was built on top of the old spa that stopped working after 40 years and it has been a beautiful edition to the home making the best of the winter sun and light with great windows. The biocycle replaced the septic in 2024 and has made a huge difference to the plumbing and bathrooms.
How much we would love it and find it hard to move on from. To prepare ourselves for that one day when we need to move.
a way to remote control the upper windows and blind to close in sunny daytime and open to let the breeze in at night.
Back to 2026 Homes
Type: Standalone house/townhouse
Project: Gradual upgrades over time
Builder: Mike Harris
Size: 300mm²
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2

Sustainability Features

Building Materials & Envelope

Draught-proofing/air sealing
High-performance insulation
Sustainable or low-impact materials
Recycled or reused materials
Other

Heating, Cooling and Ventilation

Passive heating/cooling (north-facing glazing, cross ventilation, thermal mass, shading, etc.)
Ceiling fans

Energy and Appliances

Rooftop solar PV
Battery storage
Efficient lighting (LED, daylighting, solar skylights)
Solar thermal hot water
Electric cooktop - induction/ceramic
Other energy-efficient appliances

Water & Waste Systems

Water-efficient fixtures
Rainwater tanks
Greywater system

Landscape & Biodiversity

Native garden
Wildlife-supporting habitat

Climate Resilience

Bushfire
Heatwave

Accessible & Flexible Design Features

Design for flexible use
Design for multigenerational living or dual occupancy
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