Bimbimbie Project 2023

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

Years Open
2023
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT 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 & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • 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 SPECIFICATIONS
    • 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
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
      Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 6.66 Kw
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $480'000 (2022)
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • $10'000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $3'000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • 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 AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • 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
    • 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
Location
Cape Paterson VIC 3995
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Open with support of
    • The Cape Sustainable Development
    • Builder
    • TS Constructions

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