Formerly a neglected corner orchard of the next door neighbour, this cleverly designed 11 year old house operates as an urban power station, dam and farm for its third owner.
Built fully electric, the current owner has added home batteries, dedicated EV charger and whole of house water filtration, enhancing the original 9kW solar array and 20,000L water tank.
Whilst still connected to the grid and town water, after six and a half years the house and car energy bill is still in credit, and just one kilolitre of town water has been consumed (in watering the vege bed, and testing the connection).
Some may call it ugly (some 'friends' definitely have), but the north-facing large glazing provides light and warmth in the harsh mountain winters, cross ventilation minimises A/C use in summer and smart window placement provides privacy. Window and door shutters, a Static Water Supply & generator and sprinklers could all assist in bushfire season. It's all powered by quiet, clean solar with back up battery storage providing peace of mind in an unstable grid location.
The garden has been planted with local indigenous plant varieties, and the dormant seed bank has been allowed to flourish. Small birds, lizards and other reptiles! call it part of their home range. Raised vege beds allow plenty of fresh produce, reducing food miles to food metres. Bee hives have been trialled, and will resume when the owner is on site full time.
This is the story of an odd shaped corner block that has been transformed into a future facing, cost saving, yummy, resilient and comfortable refuge in a beautiful yet challenging environment. I hope it has ideas that assist you in your sustainable house journey.
The Ugly Duckling
