» The Snail House

The Snail House

Our house is a snail-shaped octagonal strawbale house. We were determined that it would be a strawbale house with a little bit of class. It is designed to be energy efficient, and to make full use of passive solar and natural light. The windows are double-glazed and there is generous insulation to complement the strawbales. The power system is off-grid solar with generator backup. It is a very comfortable house to live in and its efficiency has surprised us.

To find out more about the NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme), click here.

Sustainability Features

ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES

- Energy efficiency:
- Draught proofing
  Efficient lighting
  Efficient appliances
- Passive heating cooling:
- Cross-ventilation
  Passive solar designed home
  Thermal mass
- Active heating cooling:
- Ceiling fans
  Hydronic
  Solar hydronic
- Water heating:
- PV thermal
  Solar hot water (evacuated tube)
- Water harvesting and saving features:
- Above-ground rainwater storage
- Above ground rainwater storage Type:
- Plastic tank
- Above ground rainwater storage Size
- 67,000L
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- Natural daylight

SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS

- Sustainable materials:
- Strawbale
- Recycled and reused materials:
- Doors

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS

- Insulation Type:
- Under-roof
  Ceiling
  Floor
- Ceiling Type:
- Bulk – glass wool
- Ceiling Rating:
- R4.1
- Floor Type:
- Bulk – polystyrene board
- Under Roof Insulation Type:
- Blanket
- Under Roof Insulation Rating:
- R1.3

RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS

- All-Electric Home?
- No
- Energy star rating:
- 7.7 Stars
- Renewable energy used:
- Energy storage/battery
  Solar PV off-grid
- Size of PV system:
- 3kW

COSTS AND COST SAVINGS

- Total cost of home when constructed:
- $400,000

HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

- House Size
- 220m2
- BAL Rating
- BAL – 12.5: Ember attack with heat up to 12.5kW/m2
- Roof
- Metal (colorbond)
- Wall Materials
- Concrete blocks
  Strawbale
  Timber
- Window and Door Types
- Double glazing
  Double hung
  Sliding windows/doors
- Number of bedrooms
- 3
- Number of bathrooms
- 2

GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION

- Garden / Outdoors
- Edible garden
  Native plants

HEALTHY HOME FEATURES

- Healthy home features
- Airtight house design
  Cross-flow ventilation
  Lime render/wash

The Snail House 2018

This house is not opening in person, but you can explore the profile and ask the homeowner a question below.

The Snail House

Sustainability Features

Ask questions about this house