The Eco Barnhouse 2024

The Eco Barnhouse

Our retirement dream was to build a passive solar, sustainable home in the Witchcliffe Ecovillage. We wanted an architectural language appropriate to the rural context, with good connectivity to outdoor living areas, garden spaces, and the shared community garden behind.

The home should be small enough to minimise our carbon footprint, but comfortably sized for 2 people with regular guests. It should also provide flexible living options for extended family or shared living and have the potential to be sold as a family home in the future.

The house should be carbon neutral as a minimum, and 100% self-sufficient in renewable energy and water, with rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling. The completed home has been certified as 140% Carbon Offset!

A 10kw photovoltaic system is connected to a central storage battery and the Ecovillage’s microgrid. Excess energy is used to power an electric vehicle or sold back to the Western Power grid.

A 100,000 ltr rainwater tank supplies all the needs of the house and gardens where we grow our own organic food, and native plants which provide habitat for local fauna and birdlife. Waterwise plumbing fixtures and tapware are fitted throughout and hot water is provided by a high efficiency Heat Pump.

Living spaces are single room depth with excellent natural light penetration and cross ventilation. North facing living areas open onto a north facing verandah with solar pergola.

Double glazing with low-e glass in high performance uPVC frames was used throughout. All living areas and bedrooms are fitted with ceiling fans.

Rammed earth internal walls made from local clay and a concrete slab provide thermal mass to regulate internal temperatures. All materials used are recycled or sustainably sourced, with careful consideration given to embodied energy. We used a local builder, local trades, and wherever possible, locally sourced materials.

This home is opening in partnership with our sponsor, Witchcliffe Eco Village. You can find out more about booking this tour here.

• Engage with sustainability experts
• Join our Open House Tour to explore 6 highly sustainable solar passive homes
• Attend Ecovillage presentations
• Learn more about 100% renewable energy microgrids
• Take part in community garden tours and take a look at EVs
• 100% renewable 75 kW EV charging available on site