Narrabundahaus 2023

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House Notes – Narrabundahaus

Narrabundahaus presents an innovative and well-considered floorplan as a model for contemporary and sustainable living and working. The long-life-loose-fit approach to planning provides a home office and multipurpose space that also functions as a guest bedroom. The attached greenhouse is a biophilic sanctuary that provides enhanced amenity for living and/or gardening throughout Canberra’s often extreme seasons.

The home has been formally certified to meet the stringent requirements of the ‘Passivhaus Plus’ building standard. It provides best practice thermal comfort and indoor air quality, while also being highly energy efficient. It exceeds the standard Passivhaus class because of the modest solar system which offsets the electricity imported from the grid. The reuse of recycled ‘Canberra Red’ bricks salvaged from the original cottage helps to further lower the carbon footprint, as well as delivering a contemporary design response to its suburban inner south context.

Narrabundahaus sets a high bar for design quality and sustainability, providing its occupants with flexibility to suit their changing requirements, and true long term climate resilience.

Photography by Ben King.

SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES

Years Open
2023
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
      Energy monitoring
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Deciduous planting around house
      External planting
      Heat recovery ventilation system
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Heat exchange ventilation system
      Heat pump
      Split system airconditioner
    • 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:
    • Approximately 166 kL per person per day (excludes tank water used for irrigation)
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Colorbond water tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 10,000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Adjustable Shading
      Automation/controls
      Awnings (external)
      Blinds
      Deciduous tree/vegetation
      Drapes/curtains
      Honeycomb blinds
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Passivhaus design and construction
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Aggregate
      Bricks
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R7.0
    • Floor Type:
    • Bulk - polystyrene board
    • Floor Rating:
    • R3.6
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.5
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R5.25
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Energy storage/battery
      Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 6.6 kW
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 9
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • Approximately $1,170,000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 196m2 (plus garage/store 49m2 & greenhouse 38m2)
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Brick veneer
      Lightweight construction (timber frame)
      Metal (Colorbond)
    • Window and Door Types
    • Low-e, films
      Tilt and turn
      Triple glazing
      180 degree opening doors
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Hobless showers
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
      Shower head on rail for various heights
      Slip resistant flooring
      Space around toilets for ease of access in wheelchairs
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Greenhouse
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Recycle
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Asthma and allergy free certified carpet
      Automated ventilation system
      Cross flow ventilation
      Formaldehyde free cabinets
      Heat recovery ventilation (HRV)
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Natural fibre furnishings
      Natural light and ventilation
      VOC free paints/sealer/varnish
Location
Narrabundah ACT 2604
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Walmsley Building Solutions
    • Designer
    • Envelope Architecture - Michael Tolhurst

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