Magpie House 2025

Magpie House

Magpie House is an all-electric, Passive Solar design (8.2 star NATHERS) knock down rebuild of a typical Canberra ex-govie in Watson, completed by an owner builder from 2018-2020. The 180 square meter dwelling uses the traditional Passive Solar design approach of manipulating orientation, glazing, thermal mass, mechanical ventilation and insulation to minimise energy consumption to maintain thermal comfort. In combination with these approaches, 10kw of PV solar, an electric car charger, Hot water heat pump and energy efficient lighting and appliances, enables Magpie house to not only be net energy positive, but economically positive in its energy and transport energy costs throughout the year. The existing house on the site was slowly dismantled and valuable, recyclable materials were diverted from landfill and have since served as the basis for joinery, furniture, and architectural detailing in the new build.

Other aspects of the build that visitors may find interesting include, integrated acoustic surfaces/finishes, reverse brick veneer construction, slab edge insulation, automated ventilation systems, DIY concrete countertops, Low VOC finishes, honeycomb blinds, custom light fittings, and self built kitchen/joinery.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2024
2025
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
      Energy monitoring
      Smart home features
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Passive solar designed home
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Hydronic
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Low flow shower heads
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 4000l
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Electric Vehicle
    • Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
    • Window Protection:
    • Adjustable Shading
      Automation/controls
      Eaves
      Honeycomb blinds
      Pelmets
      Shade Sails
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Thermally broken carport/store slab detail Vapour permeable house wrap UPVC window system Slab edge insulation (R1.5)
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Timber
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R6
    • Floor Type:
    • Wafflepod
    • Floor Rating:
    • R1-1.8
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.4
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R2.4
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Energy star rating:
    • 8.2
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 10.5
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 4kw Net, 2kw after consumption of generated solar.
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • 375,000 (not counting Owner Builder time/labour)
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • Too many variables
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • Negative annual energy costs (including most private transport)
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • Building footprint 208m2 (161m2 conditioned, 24.5m2 unconditioned workshop/stores, 23.3m2 carport)
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – Low: There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
    • Roof
    • Metal (Galvanised)
    • Wall Materials
    • Lightweight construction (timber frame)
      Metal (Galvanised)
      Reverse Brick veneer
    • Window and Door Types
    • Awning
      Clerestory windows
      Double glazing
      Low-e, films
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Hobless showers
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
      No stairs/steps
      No Corner cupboards
      Rocker style light switches
      Shower head on rail for various heights
      Tapware to be easily accessed from outside the shower
      Window openings easily accessible
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
    • Healthy Home Materials
    • Airtight house design
      Automated ventilation system
      Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Cross flow ventilation
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
      VOC free paints/sealer/varnish
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Edible garden
      Local indigenous plants
      Native plants
      Wicking beds
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Book exchange/library
      Compost all food scraps
      Recycle
      Repair
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Automated ventilation system
      Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Cross flow ventilation
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
      VOC free paints/sealer/varnish
Location
Watson ACT 2602
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Owner Built
    • Designer
    • Paper Seven Architecture

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