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Geordie’s House 2023

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Geordie’s House

House Notes – Geordie’s House

Co-founding members of Wild Mountains Environmental Education Centre have completed their private home on a neighbouring block after living at Wild Mountains for 30 years. This building features many elements of environmental, social and economic sustainability and elegantly embraces its north-facing mountain ridge. The lightweight construction minimises impact on the site but is well insulated for the mountain climate. Steel bearers chosen to minimise concrete footings support recycled hardwood floor joists beneath pine flooring felled and milled on site and cypress pine framing (local, renewable and naturally termite-proof). The steep-pitched roof is ideal for photovoltaics and was set by the 130 year old trusses (oregon which was probably a seedling 800-1000 years ago). Large openings to the north capture winter sun, views and cooling breezes.

Simple cladding and lining materials are chosen for long-term low maintenance and fire-proofing but feature details with recycled elements.

The house is designed to operate as a single home or co-housing model with two distinct, private wings meeting at a central Living/Kitchen/Dining area and shared Laundry and Study. The house is intended for ageing in place, with the western wing accommodating people with a disability.

Designed by Emma Scragg Architect and built by Rob Peagram

This home is supported by

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2019
2020
2021
2023
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
      Energy monitoring
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      External planting
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans

    • Active heating cooling:
    • Slow combustion wood heater using fallen timber on site.
    • Water heating:
    • Water heated by PV system

    • Water heating:
    • Gas boost backup
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Grey water system
      Low flow shower heads
      Low flow taps
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • Not sure yet
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Blinds
      Deciduous tree/vegetation

    • Window Protection:
    • Eaves sized to manage summer sun in combination with existing, established vegetation. Internal roller blinds to manage low-level sun in mornings
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • demolition windows and doors (some). Also two trees felled on building site will be used in the build
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Oregon roof trusses from former Brisbane Arnotts Factory circa 1890. Demolition hardwood floor joists and ceiling purlins, Ortech compressed straw ceiling panels, recycled doors and windows (internally), reused framing from demolished shed onsite for window and door lintels. Hoop pine and radiata pine trees felled and milled on site to be used for flooring. Two eucalypt trees felled on site for stairs and construction. Cypress pine framing for termite-resistance.
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Aggregate
      Doors
      Glass
      Timber
      Windows

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Ortech compressed straw panelling and recycled polyester batts to plasterboard ceilings
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R3.0 with roof
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Aircell
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – polyester
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R1.9
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – polyester
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV off-grid
    • Size of PV system:
    • 5kW plus extra for hot water system
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 2.2kWh per day (household), 1.1kWh per day per person
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $580,000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 230m2 + 50m2 decks
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – 19: Increasing levels of ember attack and ignition of debris with a heat flux of up to 19kW/m2
    • Roof
    • Metal (Zincalume)
    • Wall Materials
    • Lightweight construction (timber frame)

    • Wall Materials
    • Fibre cement, Fibrerock Aquatough, corrugated steel. Termite-resistant cypress pine and recycled hardwood framing.
    • Window and Door Types
    • Louvre windows
      Sliding windows/doors
      Stacking windows/doors
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
      Multi-generational
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      No stairs/steps
      Space around toilets for ease of access in wheelchairs

    • Universal Design Features
    • No stairs or steps to entry
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Edible garden
      Organic
      Native plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Plastic free household
      Recycle
      Repair
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
      Chemical free cleaning products used
      Cross flow ventilation
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
Location
Rathdowney QLD 4287
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Open with support of
    • Wild Mountains Trust, Nature Play
    • Builder
    • Rob Peagram Builder
    • Designer
    • Emma Scragg Architect

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