Ecotect Architects' affordable courtyard house optimises the
aspects of passive solar design, with north facing windows
protected by solar pergolas where necessary and by shaping the
house plan to capture prevailing breezes.
The south facing courtyard is positioned to enjoy the sea breeze
in summer, while the larger north facing courtyard has a solar
pergola. The solar pergola has fixed blades set at 34 degrees and
spaced to achieve a 69 degree summer cutoff angle. This filter will
regulate the temperature within the house to keep it cool in summer
and warm in winter with an internal temperature ranging from 18
degrees C (minimum) in winter to 28 degrees C (maximum) in
summer.
The exterior of the house is built from 'Formcraft', a product
which uses polystyrene framed modules filled with concrete. This
not only makes the house quick to construct but also provides
excellent insulation and a large thermal mass to regulate the
temperature inside the house.
The roof is made from Solar Span - an insulated roof panel that
eliminates the need for roof timbers. This prefinished metal
product is bonded to a polystyrene layer that provides a R3.0 rated
insulation rating.
High level windows on the north side have been positioned under
the roof overhang to obtain winter warmth and extra light in the
living area and eliminate the need for artificial lighting during
the day.
The clever combination of a multi-function wet area reduces the
size of the house, as well as water and energy use. This unique
area is divided into cubicles that can be used as a bathroom,
laundry or toilet - all while maintaining privacy by careful use of
dividing walls.
This wet area also has a greywater system to reuse water for the
garden and a solar hot water system with gas booster. Three
external water tanks capture rainwater off the roof for the toilets
and laundry and the limited water wise garden.
Block
Block size 309 sqm
Rooms
2 bedrooms
1 multi purpose room
1 multi purpose laundry, bathroom, WC
kitchen, living, dining
Gross building size
House size 93 sqm plus solar pergolas and carport