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UDH (Ultimate Dream House) 2019

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UDH (Ultimate Dream House)

House Notes – UDH (Ultimate Dream House)

We are a very short stroll from the main street in Woodend, which is 60 minutes by train from Melbourne.

We wanted a modern house, not fancy, that would be low maintenance, energy efficient, taking full advantage of the sun, and very pleasant to live in. An upstairs main bedroom-study, looking east to Mount Macedon. For ageing in place, upstairs potentially self-contained, if we move downstairs.

Plan There is excellent sun to all main rooms, and north eaves are designed for optimal sun-in-winter, shade-in-summer. We have added internal curtains or blinds, and one external blind.

Construction Double stud external walls, on slab. Wall and roof insulation R6+. Well-known and economical pine framing, Hardies compressed cement exterior cladding and interior plasterboard, all for minimum maintenance.

Power All-electric house. LED lighting throughout. PV: 22 panels, total 5.83kw. Grid connected 5kw Fronius Primo inverter.

Hot water Sandon heat pump switched to make maximum use of PV, set to run 12 noon to 5 pm.

Windows Double-glazed, Miglas composite (wooden frames, aluminium exterior, for minimum maintenance).

Ventilation Windows positioned for excellent ventilation paths.

Active heating and cooling Five Daikin reverse-cycle units inside; single unit outside. Cheminees Philippe fireplace for space heating and focal radiant heat. High vent allows heat to pass to upstairs bedroom.

Workshop Matches our previous workshop, so benches, shelving and floor coverings could be re-used.

Water Rainwater (26,000 litres storage) supplies all house and garden needs. Automatic use of mains water if tanks too low.

Garden Vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, bee-attracting flowering plants, all selected for local climate, and zoned for efficient water use. Wifi controlled zoned irrigation system.

Bees One hive in enclosure on site.

Architect is Marcus Ward

Builder is Dependable Building Gisborne

This home is supported by

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2017
2019
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Shading

    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Slate on concrete for thermal mass - facing north
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Heat pump

    • Active heating cooling:
    • Slow combustion wood heater
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above ground rainwater storage
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Poly
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 26,000 litres
    • Storage connected to
    • Garden
      Whole house
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
      Skylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Awnings (external)
      Blinds
      Drapes/curtains
      Honeycomb blinds
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Red gum Timber for for bench tops
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Appliances
      Timber

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Cathedral plus flat, under deck
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R6.0
    • Internal / External Walls Type:
    • Platerboard
    • Internal / External Walls Rating:
    • Internal 2.7, External 6
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.5
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R6.0
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 5.8kW
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • Electricity account in credit year round
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 207m2 + garage + deck + workshop
    • Roof
    • Metal (Zincalume)
    • Wall Materials
    • Lightweight construction (timber frame)
    • Window and Door Types
    • Clerestory windows
      Double glazing
      Pocket doors
      Skylights
    • Universal Design Features
    • Hobless showers
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      Ramps and path gradients must be less than 20:1
      Rocker style light switches
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Bee keeping
      Composting
      Edible garden
      Organic
      Native plants
      Water wise plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Recycle
      Repair
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Cross flow ventilation
      Natural light and ventilation
Location
Woodend VIC 3442
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Open with support of
    • Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group
    • Builder
    • Dependable Building Gisborne
    • Designer
    • Marcus Ward, Architect

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