Bimbimbie Project
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House Notes – Bimbimbie Project
As a lecturer at Deakin University in Sustainable Property Development I was keen to design and build a house according to our teachings. Passive design theory and an affordable cost per meter square were our focus, as well as to see how much of the building process we could manage and adapt for added sustainability. Aspects of the project that we most enjoyed having influence in were maximizing solar gain through design, sourcing local materials, designing to avoid excess or wasted space, and planning around predicted occupant behavior, such as WFH. Being keen on minimalistic aesthetics we also sought a ‘less is more’ design. We thoroughly enjoyed the process, and found great EE and living comfort benefits in the completed project. The taught theory works!
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
Efficient lighting
Efficient appliances
Energy monitoring
Smart home features
- Passive heating cooling:
- Cross ventilation
External planting
Passive solar designed home
Thermal mass
- Active heating cooling:
- Ceiling fans
Heat pump
Split system airconditioner
- Water heating:
- Hot water heat pump
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Rainwater storage - Above ground
Grey water system
Stormwater management
Low flow shower heads
Low flow taps
- Above ground rainwater storage Type:
- 10'000 water tank with pump
- Above ground rainwater storage Size
- 10'000 litre
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- LED lights throughout
Natural daylight
Skylight
- Window Protection:
- Blinds
Drapes/curtains
External window hoods/surrounds
Louvres
Roller doors
- Sustainable materials:
- Solar orientation.
Sanden heat-pump.
Solar panels
Solar battery.
EV charger.
Electric fireplace.
No gas appliances.
Water tank.
- Recycled and reused materials:
- Bricks
- Insulation Type:
- Under-roof
Ceiling
Internal walls
External walls
- Ceiling Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Ceiling Rating:
- R6.0
- Under Roof Insulation Type:
- Reflective foil
- Under Roof Insulation Rating:
- R6.0
- Internal Walls Insulation Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
- R2.50
- External Walls Rating:
- R2.50
- External Walls Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- All-Electric Home?
- Yes
- Renewable energy used:
- Energy storage/battery
Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 6.66 Kw
- Total cost of home when constructed:
- $480'000 (2022)
- Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
- $10'000
- Estimate of annual savings:
- $3'000
- House Size
- 196m2 (including garage)
- BAL Rating
- BAL – Low: There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
- Roof
- Metal (Colorbond)
- Wall Materials
- Lightweight construction (timber frame)
Metal (Colorbond)
Reverse Brick veneer
Timber
- Window and Door Types
- Casement
Double glazing
Skylights
Sliding windows/doors
- Universal design accessability
- Adaptive design
- Universal Design Features
- No stairs/steps
Ramps and path gradients must be less than 20:1
- Number of bedrooms
- 4
- Number of bathrooms
- 2
- Garden / Outdoors
- Bird-nesting boxes
Community vegetable garden
Composting
Drip irrigation
Edible garden
Frog friendly
Local indigenous plants
Orchard
Organic
Native plants
Water wise plants
Wicking beds
Worm farm
- Waste Reduction Practices:
- Compost all food scraps
Recycle
Repair
- Healthy home features
- Airtight house design
Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
Chemical free cleaning products used
Cross flow ventilation
Indoor plants for air filtration
Lime render/wash
Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
Natural fibre furnishings
Natural light and ventilation
Natural oil sealer/finishes
VOC free paints/sealer/varnish
- Housing Type:
- Standalone House
- Project Type:
- New Build
- Open with support of
- The Cape Sustainable Development
- Builder
- TS Constructions
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