Earthship Inman Valley 2023

Earthship Inman Valley

An Earthship is an architectural concept conceived by US Architect Michael Reynolds which holds sustainability at its core. An approach to building which looks to the future, an Earthship “offers possibilities for adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change, energy decline, resource scarcity, and pollution, and improves preparedness for natural disasters” (Freney, 2013). Embracing principals of recycling and reuse in their construction Earthships are also designed to harness solar, wind and other environmental factors to remove the need for connections to mainstream electricity, gas, and wastewater systems. It’s all about off-grid living.

Drawing upon the “Earthship” housing concept for inspiration our house is the latest of its kind to be built on Kaurna Country, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, SA.

The design uses climate responsive design principles to ensure the building needs very little in the way of heating and cooling: In the summer roof overhangs and a pergola (which will be trained with deciduous vines) helps keep the building cool and double glazing to all living spaces will assist in providing a naturally stable indoor air temperature. The North facing glazed “greenhouse” serves as a corridor, laundry, indoor garden and passive heating element, while an earthberm shelters the building on the southside, helping to keep living spaces at a stable temperature year-round and also providing excellent protection from bushfire. The Earthtubes buried in the earthberm provide natural air-conditioning and a wood stove is available for back-up heating. Construction materials have been selected to balance the needs for bushfire resistance, durability, environmental impact, cost and ease of construction to minimise time, cost to build and environmental impact.

The dwelling is completely self-sufficient from services, there is no access to mains networks. Off-grid systems are integrated into the design: a renewable energy system with battery storage, solar hot water service boosted with gas, rainwater tanks with filters and pump, and septic tank with leach field. Permaculture landscaping is intended to provide fruit and vegetables.

Want to know more? visit us at https://www.facebook.com/EarthshipInmanValley

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2021
2023
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Earthtubes
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans

    • Active heating cooling:
    • Wood stove
    • Water heating:
    • Solar hot water (evacuated tube)
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Grey water system
      Stormwater management
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • 150
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Rainwater Tank - Corrugated
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 137000
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
      Skylight
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Bottles
      Cans
      Tyres
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Earthwool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • 6
    • Floor Type:
    • Bulk - polystyrene board
    • Floor Rating:
    • 3
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Reflective foil
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • 1.3
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Straw (stawbale walls)
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • 7+
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 6.85 (3 people)
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • 450,000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • 3000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 187
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – 29: Increasing levels of ember attack and ignition of debris with a heat flux of up to 29kW/m2
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Earthwall
      Metal (Colorbond)
      Strawbale
      Tyres
    • Window and Door Types
    • Awning
      Double glazing
      Skylights
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 2
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 1
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Greenhouse
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Recycle
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Cross flow ventilation
      Indoor plants for air filtration
Location
Inman Valley SA 5211
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • With support from Enduro Builders

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