Backyard Retirement
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House Notes – Backyard Retirement
This is a fantastic secondary residence in a family collective built for one family member’s retirement. It is north facing which makes the most of passive solar design principles and focused on economy of build and energy efficiency. It is now three years since it was finished and the thoughtful design has delivered well above expectations. This is a proven alternative to apartment or retirement villa living with a NATHERS 8.0 energy rating.
The layout is flexible for large family gatherings as well as very comfortable for single person living. The transition to older age was factored in with consideration given to potential future disability / aging in place. A good example of downsizing whilst staying on your own block – keep your inner city location and live in a comfortable sustainable home that is very economical to build and run.
Energy costs of this home are low with grid connected PV system and solar hot water system, energy efficient appliances and passive solar design principles. Highly insulated walls, ceiling and floor keep this home warm in winter and cool in summer. Rain water is collected and used on the water wise garden. Recycled concrete was used in “urbanite” retaining walls for the natural swimming pond which was finished this year. The “green eave” has flourished and worked perfectly this summer to reduce the internal temperature.
Design included consideration of this being a forever home. A robust home that does not need continual cleaning to look good, it is a pleasure to live in and has enhanced the owners retirement. All the features are transferable to any size home.
This house achieved a NatHERS rating of 8.0 stars using NatHERS accredited software (BERSPro). Find out how the star ratings work on the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) website.
Sustainability Features
- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
Efficient lighting
Efficient appliances
- Energy efficiency:
- Airlock at entry into home
- Passive heating cooling:
- Cross ventilation
Passive solar designed home
Shading
Thermal mass
- Passive heating cooling:
- Exposed burnished concrete floors, recycled brick internal walls as heat sinks, green eave
- Active heating cooling:
- Ceiling fans
Split system airconditioner
- Water heating:
- Solar hot water (flat panel)
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Above ground rainwater storage
Stormwater management
Drip irrigation
- Above ground rainwater storage Type:
- Poly tanks
- Above ground rainwater storage Size
- 5,000L x 2
- Storage connected to
- Garden
Toilet
Laundry
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- LED lights throughout
Natural daylight
- Window Protection:
- Deciduous tree/vegetation
- Sustainable materials:
- Recycled Canberra Red bricks used in walls exposed to winter sun as a heat sink. Concrete recycled from replaced driveway used on site as urbanite retaining walls. Pavers recycled. Recycled spa body as swim zone of natural swimming pond. Green eave of ornamental grape.
- Recycled and reused materials:
- Bricks
Concrete
Paving
- Insulation Type:
- Under-roof
Ceiling
Internal walls
External walls
Floor
- Ceiling Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Ceiling Rating:
- R6.0
- Floor Type:
- Wafflepod
- Floor Rating:
- Unknown
- Internal / External Walls Type:
- Exulite EPS External cladding and Bulk insulation and foil
- Internal / External Walls Rating:
- R2.5 and R2.0
- Under Roof Insulation Type:
- Reflective foil
- Under Roof Insulation Rating:
- R2,0
- Internal Walls Insulation Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
- R2.0
- External Walls Type:
- Bulk – polystyrene board
- All-Electric Home?
- Yes
- Energy star rating:
- 8.0 stars
- Renewable energy used:
- Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 5kW
- Average Daily Energy Consumption:
- Unknown
- Total cost of home when constructed:
- $250,000 (2016)
- Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
- $0 Standard build
- Estimate of annual savings:
- Unknown
- House Size
- 90m2
- BAL Rating
- BAL – Low: There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
- Roof
- Metal (Colorbond)
- Wall Materials
- Lightweight construction (timber frame)
- Window and Door Types
- Awning
Double glazing
Pocket doors
- Universal design accessability
- Adaptive design
Disability access
Multi-generational
Wheelchair access
- Universal Design Features
- 80cm minimum door opening width
Hobless showers
Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
No stairs/steps
No Corner cupboards
Ramps and path gradients must be less than 20:1
Shower head on rail for various heights
Space around toilets for ease of access in wheelchairs
Tapware to be easily accessed from outside the shower
- Number of bedrooms
- 2
- Number of bathrooms
- 1
- Garden / Outdoors
- Natural swimming pond created 2019.
- Garden / Outdoors
- Bee hotels/friendly
Composting
Drip irrigation
Edible garden
Water wise plants
- Waste Reduction Practices:
- Compost all food scraps
Recycle
Repair
Swap with friends and neighbours
- Healthy home features
- Airtight house design
Chemical free cleaning products used
Cross flow ventilation
Indoor plants for air filtration
Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
Natural light and ventilation
No carpets
- Housing Type:
- 90m2 Secondary Residence (ACT Granny Flat size)
- Project Type:
- New Build
- Builder
- Todays Homes
- Designer
- Owner
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