Anne and Davids Passive Solar House

Barapa Barapa country,
Kerang,
VIC
This home will be open for in-person tours on the 17th May 2026

About this home

We purchased the property in 2014. it consisted of a 120 year old double brick house with and energy efficient but unfinished extension. After some planning we decided to demolish the double brick section and extend onto the efficient section.

We designed the extension and renovation. It incorporated the recycled bricks , pressed metal ceilings and redgum from the old house.

it is an amazing house to live in, cool in the hot summers we have and warm in the winter. the annual running costs of the house are also minimal.

Q & A

What motivated you to build or retrofit sustainably?
we have always been interested in this type of house. it is the right thing to do from a climate aspect, is more comfortable to live in and costs less to run.
Back to 2026 Homes
Type: Standalone house/townhouse
Project: Renovation or extension
Designer: My wife and I
Builder: Graeme Keath
Size: 230m²
Energy Rating: 8
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2

Sustainability Features

Building Materials & Envelope

Draught-proofing/air sealing
High-performance insulation
Double or triple-glazed windows
Recycled or reused materials

Heating, Cooling and Ventilation

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

Energy and Appliances

Rooftop solar PV
Battery storage
Energy monitoring/smart home systems
Efficient lighting (LED, daylighting, solar skylights)
Solar thermal hot water

Water & Waste Systems

Water-efficient fixtures
Rainwater tanks
Other

Landscape & Biodiversity

Permaculture garden

Climate Resilience

Heatwave

Accessible & Flexible Design Features

Universal design for accessibility
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