The Open Field House

Djaara Country,
Muckleford,
VIC
This home will be open for in-person tours on the 17th May 2026

About this home

Hempcrete Co-living Passive House in Castlemaine

Set on 10.3 acres (approx) in the peaceful surrounds of Muckleford, The Open Field House is a landmark 8-bedroom residence that redefines sustainable living. Designed to passive house standards, this extraordinary home combines architectural integrity, environmental consciousness, and climate resilience.

Just minutes from Castlemaine, the property nestles into its landscape with a deep respect for nature, offering pristine air quality, calming acoustics, and an energy profile that places it in the top 0.2% of homes nationwide. Constructed by one of Victoria's most respected builders, Sandford Build Co, the craftsmanship and care radiate from every detail in this home.

Sustainability & Passive Design Excellence

> Passive solar orientation excludes summer sun while welcoming deep winter light
> Zehnder ComfoAir 450 Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery system delivers continuous fresh, filtered air
> Airtight breathable membranes, thermal mass hempcrete walls, and high-grade insulation (R8.0 ceiling, R5.0 floor, R4.0 walls)
> Year-round stable temperature, humidity, and fresh air
> NatHERS rating of 8.2 stars (effective 9.1 with Passive House systems), placing it in the top 0.2% of homes nationwide
> Estimated to use just 15% of the energy of a conventional home

Lifestyle, Functionality & Retreat Potential

> Expansive large dam (30-million-litre capacity) with underground ring main servicing orchard, chickens, and a productive market garden
>200,000L of rainwater storage, 1,000m2 of rainwater catchment
> A biological septic system irrigates an orchard of 60 fruit and nut trees

This property has wheelchair access

 

Q & A

What motivated you to build or retrofit sustainably?
Wanting to be more resilient and self-sufficient in a climate change future.
Hempcrete and passive house design. It's truly life-changing.We have had temperatures of 22 degrees inside in winter while outside it was -4 degrees, with no active heating whatsoever. A wonderful, comfortable home to live in.
I wish we'd known how much costs would increase over the build! And what a pain it would be to get the engineer to sign off on hempcrete, even though it's actually a building material that has been used for hundreds of years.
We would add solar panels and EV charging. Build a root cellar underground for storage crops. Ideally also add vegetation to the dam to turn it into more of a naturally filtering swimming pool.
Back to 2026 Homes
Type: Cohousing, Passive House or EnerPHit, Standalone house/townhouse
Project: New build
Architect: Daniel Prochazka
Builder: Sanford Build Co
Size: 320m²
Energy Rating: 9.2, Passive House
Bedrooms: 5+
Bathrooms: 3

Sustainability Features

Building Materials & Envelope

Draught-proofing/air sealing
High-performance insulation
Double or triple-glazed windows
Sustainable or low-impact materials
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
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system

Energy and Appliances

Efficient lighting (LED, daylighting, solar skylights)
Heat pump hot water
Electric cooktop - induction/ceramic
Other energy-efficient appliances

Water & Waste Systems

Water-efficient fixtures
Rainwater tanks
Greywater system
Composting toilet

Landscape & Biodiversity

Permaculture garden
Edible garden
Beehives
Wildlife-supporting habitat

Climate Resilience

Flood
Bushfire
Cyclone/storm
Heatwave

Accessible & Flexible Design Features

Design for flexible use
Design for multigenerational living or dual occupancy
Universal design for accessibility
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