Richter House 2023

Richter House

Living in an extreme climate, where it gets cold for large portions of the year, we were after a house that would keep us warm as naturally as possible, would allow the spaces to breath in the summer months and protect us in general from the extreme conditions.

By using strawbale as the principle wall construction, its 450mm thickness not only provides us with a super high R-Value of insulation, it also provides a great feeling of protection against the strong winds and is constructed of all natural materials, which is important to our lifestyle.

While material choice is important in an energy efficient home, orientation is just as important. Our architect ensured the principle living areas face the north and has designed the roof to maximise sun in the cooler months and omit it in the summer. With a north facing roof we can also fit plenty of solar panels. The concrete floor as well as the mud render on the strawbale both provide excellent thermal mass to the interior of the house. We’ve also used double-glazed timber frame windows and doors.

Up-cycling is also an important aspect of our lives. We’ve used a lot of found materials for the interior fit out as well as second objects like doors, door handles and kitchen cupboards.

Over winter the only heating we used was a wood fired oven, which we also use to cook on. This has saved plenty of money on bills. With such a super insulated house the suns energy or the energy from the fire of an evening is trapped in the house and sinks into the thermal mass. We also collect our own water, have a greenhouse and a chook house- both the latter being made from found materials.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2023
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Rainwater storage - Above ground
      Stormwater management
      Low flow shower heads
      Low flow taps
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Zincalume water tanks
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 110,000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
      Skylight
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • - Provision for in-slab heating running off a heat pump - Flue from fire place runs through upper level bathroom to help keep it dry - LED lights throughout - Simple lighting layout - Very low VOC paints - Natural oil finishes
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Basins/sinks
      Bath
      Benchtops
      Bricks
      Floorboards
      Kitchen cabinets
      Timber
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – natural wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R5.0
    • Floor Type:
    • Bulk - polystyrene board
    • Floor Rating:
    • R1.2
    • Under Roof Insulation Type:
    • Reflective foil
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R0.2
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – polyester
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • R1.5
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R8.0
    • External Walls Type:
    • Straw (stawbale walls)
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $650,000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • $12,000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 190m2
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – Low: There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Strawbale
      Timber
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Tilt and turn
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 4
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Bee keeping
      Chickens
      Composting
      Edible garden
      Frog friendly
      Greenhouse
      Native plants
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Make jams/conserves
      Pickle and preserve food
      Recycle
      Repair
      Take own containers to the supermarket and for take away food
      Swap with friends and neighbours
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
      Carpet free - tiles/concrete/timber flooring throughout
      Chemical free cleaning products used
      Cross flow ventilation
      Formaldehyde free cabinets
      Lime render/wash
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
Location
Jindabyne NSW 2627
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Marcel Richter
    • Designer
    • Ian Sercombe Architect

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