Blue House 2017

House Notes – Blue House

Featuring an effective passive solar design, plenty of salvaged and recycled materials, and an innovative whole-block water harvesting system, this little owner-built home provides a comfortable base for a young Canberra family. The two-storey house has three bedrooms and a studio, plus a split-level kitchen, dining and living area. It’s aligned so that all main rooms have a north window, and a big deck provides a good connection to the garden. Double glazing, good cross ventilation, a concrete slab for thermal mass, a heat pump for hot water and 3kW of solar PV all assist with the all-electric house’s thermal performance and energy efficiency.

The water harvesting system consists of 95 metres of aquifers dug into the ground: trenches lined with a water-impermeable bentonite liner and filled with washed river sand. “When the sand is wet, it will hold a third of its volume in water,” says Tim. Rainwater runs from the roof into the aquifers, which can store around 2,850 litres; it then travels via capillary action into the soil and is taken up by the plants, much like a giant wicking bed.

Designed and built by Luke Dickerson and Bespoke Building Services

Read more about the Blue House in Sanctuary 40. Article written by Anna Cumming and photographs by Kasey Funnell

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2017
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Efficient lighting
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans

    • Active heating cooling:
    • Split system heater/aircon
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above ground storage
      Stormwater management
      Storage connected to
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Whole block water harvesting/wicking system, size approx 2850L
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 4000L
    • Storage connected to
    • Whole house
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Steel purlins, salvaged fibre cement panels, paper (Paperock benches), linen curtains
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Timber
      Kitchen/bath cabinets

RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • Energy star rating:
    • 8 star
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • $450,000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 147m2
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Low-e, films
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Whole block water harvesting/wicking system
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Low-VOC paints, pure wool carpet
Location
Coombs ACT 2611
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Luke Dickerson

Ask questions about this house

Load More Comments
Name
Email
Comment
Leave Comment