Minette’s Rest 2025

Minette’s Rest

Designed by the owner for one to two people, this 110m2 double height house was built in hempcrete due to its many sustainable qualities and ability to sequester carbon capture for the life of the building.
Located in Castlemaine, Central Victoria, the house was built by Joe D’Alo of the Hemp Building Co from Kyneton in 2022 – 2023. The house achieves a 8.5 NatHERS rating, is north orientated, has a 6.6kW Solar System, a 10,999L rainwater tank and 4 and 5 WELS tapware. It features second hand materials and fixtures such as timber flooring and shelves, lighting fixtures and 3.36m long Corian kitchen bench. Tapware and tiles are Australian made while the majority of the furniture is second hand and up cycled locally. The hemp was sourced from the VIC/SA border. The owner went on to study Building Design and launch Design Green Studio which will be operational 2026 onwards for eco, residential builds and renovations.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2025
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Deciduous planting around house
      External planting
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal chimney
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Heat pump
      Hydronic
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Low flow shower heads
      Low flow taps

    • Average water consumption per day:
    • Not yet been in the house a full year
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Rainwater Tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 10,999L
    • Water harvesting and saving
    • Bore Water on site
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • External window hoods/surrounds
      Shutters
      Solar pergola
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Hempcrete external walls.
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Appliances
      Bath
      Benchtops
      Decking
      Floorboards
      Light fixtures / fittings
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Floor Rating:
    • R2
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R7.0
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.5
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R4.2
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Energy star rating:
    • 8.5
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 6.6
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • Not yet been in the house a full year
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $720,000
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • $690,000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $2000 Approx
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 110m2
    • BAL Rating
    • No BAL rating requirements at time of construction
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Hempcrete
    • Window and Door Types
    • Casement
      Double glazing
      Pocket doors
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Hobless showers
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
      Pocket doors so that cabinet doors are out of the way
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 2
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 1
    • Healthy Home Materials
    • Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
      Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Chemical free cleaning products used
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Lime render/wash
      Natural fibre furnishings
      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
      Organic
      Native plants
      Water wise plants
      Wicking beds
      Worm farm
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Make jams/conserves
      Recycle
      Repair
      Tool exchange/library
      Swap with friends and neighbours
      Waste free/reduced construction site
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
      Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Chemical free cleaning products used
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Lime render/wash
      Natural fibre furnishings
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
      VOC free paints/sealer/varnish
Location
Castlemaine VIC 3450
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Disaster Resilient Design
    • Bushfire Resilience
    • Builder
    • Joe D'Alo
    • Designer
    • Bree McKilligan

Ask questions about this house

Load More Comments
Name
Email
Comment
Leave Comment