NEW HOME
Zone 2: Warm humid summer, mild winter
Topics Covered
Passive design
Lifestyle modification
Rainwater harvesting
Waste reduction
Recycled/renewable material use
Greenhouse gas reductions
Indoor air quality
Reducing Water Use
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8.4 Gold Coast, Queensland
This home was designed and built to be good for the environment and avoid possible building related impacts on the health of its occupants. It has succeeded by reducing energy, water and non-renewable resource consumption, minimising waste output and use of toxic substances and materials.
The Healthy Home Project brought together Queensland’s leading Universities and Government Departments in a joint venture with industry partners. For more information see www.healthyhome.com.au
This two storey, part reinforced fibre cement (FRC) and part corrugated steel-clad modern Queenslander was built as a sanctuary to nurture children in a healthy environment.
It was designed to consume less energy in construction and operation. In construction this was through strategies such as using low embodied materials – timber and FRC as well as using recycled materials – hard wood timber from demolished buildings. High performance passive design provides comfort for most days of the year and negates the need for mechanical air conditioning.
Located on the Gold Coast just 200m from the beach, this healthy home demonstrates what can be achieved in sustainable housing in a sub tropical climate and where issues of overshadowing, reduction of airflow, and glare create a significant challenge for passive design.
The house was designed to work with the climate and respect the site. Due to the challenging nature of the site and associated mesoclimate some compromises were made – for instance orientation for solar heating in winter.
The house is designed to significantly reduce impacts on resources, both in construction and during the life cycle of the building
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
The house has its longest façades orientated south-east and north west creating the need for appropriate shading to provide solar access in winter and solar exclusion in summer. Two pavilions are linked by a common louvred breezeway.
Raised, suspended timber decks are used at the entry and elsewhere for outdoor living. The pavilion plan with its open section provides good cross ventilation. The factory prefabricated skeletal laminated timber frame system has been used to provide internal planning flexibility and maximises openings for ventilation.