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Slopes of kunanyi 2023

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Slopes of kunanyi

House Notes – Slopes of kunanyi

The owner of this house wanted to downsize, ready for retirement. As it was important for her to stay in the same community, she subdivided and built her new house on an empty part of the block below kunanyi/Mount Wellington.

The house is accessible and comfortably accommodates a couple, ready for ageing in place. It is located 15 minutes from town, with access to the bus service, on a bush block adjacent to the mountain park.

THERMAL EFFICIENCY
We paid special attention to the completeness of the insulated envelope, with a 140mm external wall (R4 insulation). The entire building is constructed in timber, thus minimising cold bridges.

The house is generously glazed on the north side, with fabulous bush views.

MINIMISED EMBODIED ENERGY
We opted for a highly insulated timber floor, rather than a concrete slab. Therefore we had to find another way to introduce thermal mass: all internal plaster walls are filled with water containers. Water has the best thermal mass of all available materials, three times the volumetric heat capacity of brick or concrete. The water containers are recycled, so the thermal mass

The house is deliberately kept small, 120m², enough for the couple and their many guests.

SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES

Years Open
2021
2023
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

    • Passive heating cooling:
    • thermal mass is provided by water containers within internal walls - very low embodied energy
    • Active heating cooling:
    • no cooling required due to sufficient shading and cross ventilation; electric panel heaters
    • Water heating:
    • Water heated by PV system
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Stormwater management
      Low flow shower heads
      Low flow taps
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • 80
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • LED lights throughout
      Natural daylight
    • Electric Vehicle Type
    • MG
    • Window Protection:
    • Eaves
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • thermal mass units in walls
    • Sustainable materials:
    • rammed earth for thermal mass walls (insulated external wall), Water for thermal mass in internal walls, Bushfire proof
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Excavated earth

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Under-roof
      Ceiling
      Internal walls
      External walls
      Floor
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R7
    • Floor Type:
    • Bulk - glass wool
    • Floor Rating:
    • 3
    • Under Roof Insulation Rating:
    • R7
    • Internal Walls Insulation Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Internal Walls Insulation Rating:
    • 2.5
    • External Walls Rating:
    • 4
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • Yes
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 8
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • 2021
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • 2000
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 120
    • BAL Rating
    • BAL – 29: Increasing levels of ember attack and ignition of debris with a heat flux of up to 29kW/m2
    • Roof
    • Metal (Colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Earthwall
      Lightweight construction (timber frame)
      Timber

    • Wall Materials
    • cement sheet (mural)
    • Window and Door Types
    • Bi Fold
      Casement
      Double glazing
      Low-e, films
      Tilt and turn
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
      Universal access
      Wheelchair accessible
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Flush thresholds (no lip) to all external doors
      Hobless showers
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      Minimum 110cm wide hallways
      No Corner cupboards
      Ramps and path gradients must be less than 20:1
      Shower head on rail for various heights
      Slip resistant flooring
      Strong fittings like towel rails that can be used as hand rails
      Window openings easily accessible
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 1
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Frog friendly
      Local indigenous plants
      Native plants
      Swales
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Book exchange/library
      Compost all food scraps
      Pickle and preserve food
      Recycle
      Repair
      Recycle coffee grounds from nearby cafe's
      Take own containers to the supermarket and for take away food
      Swap with friends and neighbours
      Waste free/reduced construction site
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Cabinet design to minimise dust collection
      Chemical free cleaning products used
      Cross flow ventilation
      Formaldehyde free cabinets
      Indoor plants for air filtration
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
      VOC free paints/sealer/varnish
      Wax based sealer/finish

    • Healthy Home
    • rammed earth
Location
South Hobart TAS 7004
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Open with support of
    • Renew Tasmania South Branch
    • Builder
    • OCON Built
    • Designer
    • Green Design Architects

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