The Backyard Garden House 2019

House Notes – The Backyard Garden House

This single-storey house was constructed in 2010. It is located in an ‘open backyard’ setting, created by the small group of long-term neighbours, over a couple of decades. Conventional backyard fencing has been replaced with internal gates and minimal open fencing. The original deep blocks allowed for two new houses to be constructed at the rear of the existing houses, each of which was designed to maximise the area for an informal shared space.

There are now six adjacent dwellings on individually-owned titles with backyard access to the neighbours. This has facilitated more regular contact and the sharing of garden produce, compost, cooking, tools, labour and friendship.

Building this new house was our opportunity to incorporate a range of design ideas researched over many years, including environmental, access, amenity and community considerations.

The design is simple and basic, with north sun captured via a central courtyard, while still allowing the entrance and kitchen to face south into the open backyards.

The house is almost self-sufficient in electricity and water usage. Solar PV panels (2.2kW) are installed and the entire roof area drains into a 7500L tank, which is plumbed to all taps except for the kitchen cold water.

The exposed concrete slab floor provides thermal stability, and there are double-glazed windows throughout the house. Windows and doors are positioned to maximise cross-flow ventilation, and summer shading is provided by ornamental vines.

Secondhand fittings and materials were utilised where possible, including scrap metal sheets from a nearby factory used as decorative cladding on the external walls.

Designed by Zen Architects and built by Nimble Constructions.

Chat to a member of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) about EV’s they will have their BMW i3 on display for SHD between 10am – 1pm. 

 

This house achieved a NatHERS rating of 6.6 stars using NatHERS accredited software (FirstRate5). Find out how the star ratings work on the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) website.

The house also achieved 10 stars with the Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard. If you would like to find out more click here.

All donations taken on the day will go to Kids Under Cover

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross ventilation
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
    • Active heating cooling:
    • Ceiling fans
      Split system airconditioner

    • Active heating cooling:
    • Reverse cycle air conditioner plus gas log fire
    • Water heating:
    • Instant gas hot water
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above ground rainwater storage
      Grey water system
      Drip irrigation
    • Average water consumption per day:
    • 79L
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Corrugated colourbond rainwater tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 7500L
    • Storage connected to
    • Whole house
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Adjustable Shading
      Awnings (external)
      Blinds
      Deciduous tree/vegetation
      Drapes/curtains
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Some fittings and furniture, scrap metal external wall cladding
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Recycled bricks on east and west walls. Second hand bathroom fittings
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Bathroom cabinets
      Bricks
      Pallets
      Paving

INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Ceiling
      External walls
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R4.0
    • Internal / External Walls Type:
    • External walls: reflective Aircell insulation, R2.5 Rockwool batts. Internal walls R2.0
    • Internal / External Walls Rating:
    • External R2.5, internal R 2.0
    • External Walls Rating:
    • R2.5
    • External Walls Type:
    • Bulk – glass wool
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Energy star rating:
    • 6.6
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid connect
    • Size of PV system:
    • 2.2kW
    • Average Daily Energy Consumption:
    • 6kWh
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $360,000 (2010) + $10,000 solar PV
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 125m2
    • BAL Rating
    • N/A
    • Roof
    • Metal (Zincalume)
    • Wall Materials
    • Brick veneer
      Lightweight construction (timber frame)
    • Window and Door Types
    • Double glazing
      Double hung
      Sliding windows/doors
    • Universal design accessability
    • Adaptive design
    • Universal Design Features
    • 100cm minimum door opening width
      Hobless showers
      Lever handles for doors (no knobs)
      No stairs/steps
      Shower head on rail for various heights
      Strong fittings like towel rails that can be used as hand rails
      Window openings easily accessible
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 2
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Chickens
      Composting
      Drip irrigation
      Edible garden
    • Waste Reduction Practices:
    • Compost all food scraps
      Recycle
      Repair
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Cross flow ventilation
      Natural light and ventilation
      No carpets
Location
Clifton Hill VIC 3068
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Nimble Constructions
    • Designer
    • Zen Architects

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