Flintberry Farm
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House Notes – Flintberry Farm
Most people assume connecting to the grid but, despite having power to the boundary for our new build, we couldn’t see any logical reason to do so. We wanted to invest in solar regardless so, rather than connecting to the grid, we decided to simply invest that money into extra battery storage.
Part of the reason for wanting to display our house at Sustainable House Day is to help normalise off-grid living and reduce the stereotype that it is cumbersome, radical or in any way less comfortable. With the right design, we do everything as we would normally, and without any issues. We have not made design compromises and have made minimal lifestyle concession that, overall, we believe have been for the better anyway.
We visited many open houses over the years leading up to our build. We took away a lot from those visits and discussions, as well as many ATA resources and guides, and would like to now return the favour and share what we have learned.
With over 70 fruit, nut and berry plants, as well as a large vegetable garden. We hope to grow as much of our own food as we can as the trees become established. Future plans include a couple of chooks to help out with excess produce in exchange for a few eggs.
Designed and built by Architecture in the Wild.
Gold coin entry supports Animals Australia.
Sustainability Features
- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
Efficient lighting
- Passive heating cooling:
- Passive solar designed home
Thermal mass
- Passive heating cooling:
- Internal bricks and appropriate orientation and shading – with provision of western shading
- Active heating cooling:
- Ceiling fans
Heat pump
Hydronic
- Water heating:
- Hot water heat pump
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Worm farm septic tank system
Stormwater management
Drip irrigation
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- LED lights throughout
Natural daylight
- Window Protection:
- Blinds
- Sustainable materials:
- Top soil remained on-site and was reused after construction.
Rocks remained on-site and were utilised in site preparation.
- Recycled and reused materials:
- Bricks
Paving
Shipping container
- Insulation Type:
- Ceiling
Internal walls
Floor
- Ceiling Type:
- Bulk – natural wool
- Ceiling Rating:
- R5.0
- Floor Type:
- Slab edge insulation
- Internal Walls Insulation Type:
- Bulk–- natural wool
- Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
- R2.5
- All-Electric Home?
- Yes
- Renewable energy used:
- Energy storage/battery
Solar PV off-grid
- Size of PV system:
- 12.5 kW solar PV + 25 kWh battery storage
- House Size
- 220m2 approx.
- BAL Rating
- BAL – 12.5: Ember attack with heat up to 12.5kW/m2
- Wall Materials
- Lightweight construction (timber frame)
- Wall Materials
- Metal (colorbond)
- Window and Door Types
- Double glazing
Louvre windows
- Window and Door Types
- UPVC tilt/urn doors and windows
- Universal design accessability
- Multi-generational
- Universal Design Features
- 80cm minimum door opening width
Hobless showers
Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
No stairs/steps
Shower head on rail for various heights
Tapware to be easily accessed from outside the shower
- Number of bedrooms
- 3
- Number of bathrooms
- 2
- Garden / Outdoors
- Composting
Drip irrigation
Edible garden
- Healthy home features
- Indoor plants for air filtration
- Housing Type:
- Standalone House
- Project Type:
- New Build
- Builder
- Architecture in the Wild Pty Ltd
- Designer
- Architecture in the Wild Pty Ltd
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