The Pig Pen 2018

House Notes – The Pig Pen

The Pig Pen is a simple, custom-designed and -built eco-studio on the beautiful NSW South Coast. I am delighted to have been able to build this comfortable, beautiful and small home in such a gorgeous natural location between the bush and the sea.

I have been involved in sustainable initiatives and projects for many years now (green business, permaculture, community gardens, local food production), and was also motivated by the gift of a fabulous grand piano that requires a stable home environment – what’s good for the piano, is good for me!

I have endeavoured to create a home that has minimal ongoing impact on the environment, and uses resources in closed cycles on my block of land. With a composting toilet, rainwater tanks, greywater system, solar PV, modest living practices and efficient appliances the biggest ongoing spend will be my council rates, insurance and electricity supply charge. I love it!

Built with the support of Bingie Builders.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2018
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross-ventilation
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above-ground rainwater storage
      Blackwater system
      Greywater system
      Low-flow shower heads
      Low-flow taps
      Drip irrigation
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • 2 x corrugated iron tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 42,000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Blinds
      Deciduous tree/vegetation
      Drapes/curtains
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Native plants were rescued on-site prior to building, and sustainable and native timbers have been used for the house framing and decking. Impervious surfaces have been avoided to maximise rainwater retention on-site (there are no concrete paths or driveway, only river pebbles). Wicking beds have been installed on the deck for kitchen gardening.
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Internal walls
      External walls
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Reflective foil
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R4.0
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.0
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R2.0
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Energy star rating:
    • Water – 72, thermal comfort – pass, energy – 51
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid-connected
    • Size of PV system:
    • 1.6kW
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $265,000
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • $50,000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $1200
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 128m2 inc. deck and garage
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – 19: Increasing levels of ember attack and ignition of debris with a heat flux of up to 19kW/m2
    • Roof
    • Metal (colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Concrete blocks
      Lightweight construction (timber frame)
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Universal design accessability
    • Wheelchair access
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 1
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 1
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Wicking beds
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Chickens
      Composting
      Drip irrigation
      Edible garden
      Organic
      Permaculture
      Native plants
      Water-wise plants

HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Chemical-free cleaning products used
      Cross-flow ventilation
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
Location
Congo NSW 2537
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Owner, with support from Bingie Builders
    • Designer
    • Owner

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