UDH (Ultimate Dream House) 2019

House Notes – UDH (Ultimate Dream House)

We are a very short stroll from the main street in Woodend, which is 60 minutes by train from Melbourne.

We wanted a modern house, not fancy, that would be low maintenance, energy efficient, taking full advantage of the sun, and very pleasant to live in. An upstairs main bedroom-study, looking east to Mount Macedon. For ageing in place, upstairs potentially self-contained, if we move downstairs.

Plan There is excellent sun to all main rooms, and north eaves are designed for optimal sun-in-winter, shade-in-summer. We have added internal curtains or blinds, and one external blind.

Construction Double stud external walls, on slab. Wall and roof insulation R6+. Well-known and economical pine framing, Hardies compressed cement exterior cladding and interior plasterboard, all for minimum maintenance.

Power All-electric house. LED lighting throughout. PV: 22 panels, total 5.83kw. Grid connected 5kw Fronius Primo inverter.

Hot water Sandon heat pump switched to make maximum use of PV, set to run 12 noon to 5 pm.

Windows Double-glazed, Miglas composite (wooden frames, aluminium exterior, for minimum maintenance).

Ventilation Windows positioned for excellent ventilation paths.

Active heating and cooling Five Daikin reverse-cycle units inside; single unit outside. Cheminees Philippe fireplace for space heating and focal radiant heat. High vent allows heat to pass to upstairs bedroom.

Workshop Matches our previous workshop, so benches, shelving and floor coverings could be re-used.

Water Rainwater (26,000 litres storage) supplies all house and garden needs. Automatic use of mains water if tanks too low.

Garden Vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, bee-attracting flowering plants, all selected for local climate, and zoned for efficient water use. Wifi controlled zoned irrigation system.

Bees One hive in enclosure on site.

Architect is Marcus Ward

Builder is Dependable Building Gisborne

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