Slopes of kunanyi
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House Notes – Slopes of kunanyi
The owner of this house wanted to downsize, ready for retirement. As it was important for her to stay in the same community, she subdivided and built her new house on an empty part of the block below kunanyi/Mount Wellington.
The house is accessible and comfortably accommodates a couple, ready for ageing in place. It is located 15 minutes from town, with access to the bus service, on a bush block adjacent to the mountain park.
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
We paid special attention to the completeness of the insulated envelope, with a 140mm external wall (R4 insulation). The entire building is constructed in timber, thus minimising cold bridges.
The house is generously glazed on the north side, with fabulous bush views.
MINIMISED EMBODIED ENERGY
We opted for a highly insulated timber floor, rather than a concrete slab. Therefore we had to find another way to introduce thermal mass: all internal plaster walls are filled with water containers. Water has the best thermal mass of all available materials, three times the volumetric heat capacity of brick or concrete. The water containers are recycled, so the thermal mass
The house is deliberately kept small, 120m², enough for the couple and their many guests.
Sustainability Features
- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
Efficient lighting
Efficient appliances
- Passive heating cooling:
- Cross ventilation
Passive solar designed home
Shading
Thermal mass
- Passive heating cooling:
- thermal mass is provided by water containers within internal walls - very low embodied energy
- Active heating cooling:
- no cooling required due to sufficient shading and cross ventilation; electric panel heaters
- Water heating:
- Water heated by PV system
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Stormwater management
Low flow shower heads
Low flow taps
- Average water consumption per day:
- 80
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- LED lights throughout
Natural daylight
- Electric Vehicle Type
- MG
- Window Protection:
- Eaves
- Recycled and reused materials:
- thermal mass units in walls
- Sustainable materials:
- rammed earth for thermal mass walls (insulated external wall),
Water for thermal mass in internal walls,
Bushfire proof
- Recycled and reused materials:
- Excavated earth
- Insulation Type:
- Under-roof
Ceiling
Internal walls
External walls
Floor
- Ceiling Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Ceiling Rating:
- R7
- Floor Type:
- Bulk - glass wool
- Floor Rating:
- 3
- Under Roof Insulation Rating:
- R7
- Internal Walls Insulation Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
- 2.5
- External Walls Rating:
- 4
- External Walls Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- All-Electric Home?
- Yes
- Renewable energy used:
- Solar PV grid connect
- Size of PV system:
- 8
- Total cost of home when constructed:
- 2021
- Estimate of annual savings:
- 2000
- House Size
- 120
- 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
Lightweight construction (timber frame)
Timber
- Wall Materials
- cement sheet (mural)
- Window and Door Types
- Bi Fold
Casement
Double glazing
Low-e, films
Tilt and turn
- Universal design accessability
- Adaptive design
Universal access
Wheelchair accessible
- Universal Design Features
- 80cm minimum door opening width
Flush thresholds (no lip) to all external doors
Hobless showers
Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
Minimum 110cm wide hallways
No Corner cupboards
Ramps and path gradients must be less than 20:1
Shower head on rail for various heights
Slip resistant flooring
Strong fittings like towel rails that can be used as hand rails
Window openings easily accessible
- Number of bedrooms
- 3
- Number of bathrooms
- 1
- Garden / Outdoors
- Composting
Frog friendly
Local indigenous plants
Native plants
Swales
- Waste Reduction Practices:
- Book exchange/library
Compost all food scraps
Pickle and preserve food
Recycle
Repair
Recycle coffee grounds from nearby cafe's
Take own containers to the supermarket and for take away food
Swap with friends and neighbours
Waste free/reduced construction site
- Healthy home features
- Airtight house design
Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
Chemical free cleaning products used
Cross flow ventilation
Formaldehyde free cabinets
Indoor plants for air filtration
Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
Natural light and ventilation
Natural oil sealer/finishes
VOC free paints/sealer/varnish
Wax based sealer/finish
- Healthy Home
- rammed earth
- Housing Type:
- Standalone House
- Project Type:
- New Build
- Open with support of
- Renew Tasmania South Branch
- Builder
- OCON Built
- Designer
- Green Design Architects
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