Dulwich Hill Hempcrete Renovation 2024

Dulwich Hill Hempcrete Renovation

We moved to Dulwich Hill 8 years ago to be closer to family. The existing house had lovely original features, but an earlier renovation had resulted in a poor layout, with a pokey galley-style kitchen and a second bathroom opening directly onto the sunny, rear living space. The laundry was large but located externally near a wasted, dogleg courtyard.

We did not need much more space but wanted a better connection to the backyard and an improved home that was warmer in winter and cooler in summer. We also wanted a more spacious kitchen and casual living area, an internal laundry and a design that met the requirements for an all-electric home. Most importantly, we wanted our home to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

We now have a living space with a new kitchen, bathroom, laundry and an outdoor, covered space, with a minimal increase in footprint, and much-improved circulation, usability and connection to the backyard.

Tall northern windows for maximum light are shaded in summer by a generous roof overhang whilst allowing warm winter sun. Our large, new covered deck provides shading from the western sun, as does the retention of our backyard liquid amber which ensures shade in summer and plenty of sun in winter.

Our services are all on the southern side – bathrooms, laundry. kitchen, rainwater tanks and the hot water heat pump. The roof was designed for the best solution to connect to a rainwater tank, provide shading and accommodate solar.

Since completing our renovation at the end of 2021 we have hardly ever used the AC and seldom even use the fans. Our home is incredibly comfortable, especially with the insulation provided by the hempcrete walls, and we love sitting and looking out into the garden.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2024
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Deciduous planting around house
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Split system airconditioner
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • rainwater tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 3000litres
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Awnings (external)
      Deciduous tree/vegetation
      Eaves
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Envirocrete concrete slabs, FSC floorboards, replace 2 old windows with Double Glazed UPVC, silica free benchtops. Laserlite Multiwall sheet in grey to deck roof for better UV protection.
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Bricks
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Floor Type:
    • Bulk - glass wool
    • Floor Rating:
    • 1.5
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Insulated panels
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R5.4
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • 2.85
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 6.375
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 142sqm
    • BAL Rating
    • No BAL rating requirements at time of construction
    • Roof
    • Insulated panel (sandwich panels)
    • Wall Materials
    • Hempcrete
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Stacking windows/doors
      Tilt and turn
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Hobless showers
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
    • Healthy Home Materials
    • Cross flow ventilation
      Formaldehyde free cabinets
      Lime render/wash
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Native plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Cross flow ventilation
      Formaldehyde free cabinets
      Lime render/wash
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
Location
Dulwich Hill NSW 2203
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • Renovation
    • Builder
    • Nick Sowden - Sowden Building
    • Designer
    • Tracy Graham - Connected Design

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