Contemporary Straw Bale House 2016

House Notes – Contemporary Straw Bale House

We owner built our passive solar medium sized strawbale house starting in November 2008.  We have been living there very happily since February 2011. The house is orientated to the true north with longer west –east axis for heat penetration. The bulk of glazing is on the North with very little on west or east. A concrete slab provides thermal mass and the design allows for cross and stack ventilation (latter not needed).

The roof is pitched at 30 degrees to North to optimise photovoltaic solar panels and solar hot water tube placement Roof extends as eaves on all sides of house for shading summer sun and allowing maximum access to winter sun. Also eaves protect rendered walls against weather. Roof colour is light grey to minimise heat absorption

Roof is designed for maximum water harvesting to two 22,500 litres house tanks,partially submerged to keep water cool.

Rendered straw bale external walls for superior insulation properties and superior fire resistance. Roof gable wall and ceilings insulated with recycled polyester batts to minimum value of R5

For construction we used Plantation pine Timber (Pinus radiata) framed with sugar gum poles (E. cladocalyax) locally sourced. Verandah posts, fascias and gable end cladding are all Golden cypress (C.macrocarpa). All these woods are sustainably grown, and recyclable.

All double glazed windows units (with 12mm air gap) are Western Red Cedar grown on sustainably managed plantations.

Tank water is pumped to house and all used grey and black waste water is delivered to the Biolytix (worm and bacteria filter system on west side of house which is then pumped to subsurface irrigation field behind native hedge.

Energy efficient utilities and lighting and a wood combustion stove are fitted.

Permaculture garden,garden tanks and chooks for food production.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2016
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Efficient lighting
      Draught proofing
      Efficient appliances

    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Shading
      Cross ventilation
      Thermal chimney
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
    • Water heating:
    • Solar hot water (evacuated tube)
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above ground storage

    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 59,000 litres in total
    • Water harvesting and saving
    • Biolytix worm farm for sewage disposal
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Locally sourced timber, tiles, render sand
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Bricks
      Timber
      Doors
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Other Insulation Methods:
    • Straw bales with polyester batts above ceiling
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • Energy star rating:
    • 6.9stars (straw element excluded)
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • $200K approx all in
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • POwer and heating bills a third of equivalent house
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 173sqm (18 squares)
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
    • Universal Design Features
    • Disability access
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Greenhouse made fromrecycled materials
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Drip irrigation
      Water wise plants
      Edible garden
      Organic
      Permaculture
      Composting
      Native plants
      Chickens

HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • interior rendered walls for breathability
Location
Buninyong VIC 3357
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Owners

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