Not a Hero House 2019

Not a Hero House

‘‘Not a Hero House’, a passive solar house in inner-city Melbourne, combines the generosity of a Californian Bungalow with the compactness of an energy efficient design.

This family home aims to reduce operational energy through passive solar and services and minimise embodied energy through compactness and choice of materials.

Passive solar design principles were applied rigorously: zoning, layout, planning, building form, material selection, solar control, cross ventilation and details that reduce thermal bridging. All habitable rooms face north, storage and utility areas face south. The footprint is smaller than that of similar homes.

The materials were chosen for optimum thermal performance and low embodied energy where possible: timber trusses instead of structural steel, recycled brick, FSC certified timbers, double and triple glazed windows and insulated hatches. As a result, the home achieves a rating of 7.4 stars.

The roof is laid out for a 8.7kw Solar PV System, 11,200l of rainwater are connected to garden, WC, laundry, shower and all vanities. Hot water and hydronic underfloor heating rely on heat pumps, there is no gas.

The building is modest but a simple twist in plan, roof overhangs and expressive sunshading give it a generosity like that of a Californian Bungalow.

Designed by Steffen Welsch Architects

All donations on the day will support Renew

 

This house achieved a NatHERS rating of 7.4 stars using NatHERS accredited software (BersPro). Find out how the star ratings work on the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) website.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2019
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal mass
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Heat pump
      Hydronic
      Split system airconditioner
    • Water heating:
    • Hot water heat pump
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above ground rainwater storage
      Low flow shower heads
      Low flow taps
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • TBD
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Rainwater tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 11,200L
    • Storage connected to
    • Garden
      Toilet
      Laundry
      Whole house
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Adjustable Shading
      Automation/controls
      Awnings (external)
      Blinds
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Fly ash in concrete, PEFC certified timbers, FSC certified timber veneer
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Bricks
      Timber
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R6.0
    • Floor Type:
    • Bulk - polystyrene board
    • Floor Rating:
    • R2.5
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R2.7
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R2.7
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Energy star rating:
    • 7.4 Stars
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 8.7kW
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 69.7 MJ/sqm annual load for heating and cooling
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • -
    • Cost estimate of sustainable home/features:
    • No additional cost
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • TBA
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 183m2
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – Low: There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Lightweight construction (timber frame)
      Reverse Brick veneer
      Timber
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Double hung
      Triple glazing
    • Universal design accessability
    • Multi-generational
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Contrasting colours and material for vision impaired
      Flush thresholds (no lip) to all external doors
      Hobless showers
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
      No stairs/steps
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 4
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Water wise plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Recycle
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Cross flow ventilation
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
      No carpets
Location
Preston VIC 3072
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Grattan Group
    • Designer
    • Steffen Welsch Architects

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