Lewiston project
Location: - Lewiston S.A.
Completed: - 22 Dec 93
Architect: - E. Prelgauskas (Monarto S.A.)
Builder: - R.A. & C.J. Bilske (Loxton S.A.)
Owner: - P.W. & E.K. Daniels
Size: - 175 sq. metres (inc. garage)
Climate: Dry, warm temperate
Objectives.
The main objective was to provide low energy, thermally
comfortable living in a house of straightforward layout and
high quality natural finish. A bias toward summer comfort
was sought by the architect through his use of "micro-
climatic design" principles. The house was also to blend
into the natural lay of the land as much as possible and
use colours that were compatible with a rural landscape.
Site.
1 ha of cleared land with a gentle NE facing slope. Open
land to the northern and eastern boundaries have been left
by the Council to eventually evolve to a tree'd and grassed
reserve area. The house has been nestled into a cut made
into the slope and subsequent minor bermes formed to the
west and south west. A concrete water tank and brick walls
act to retain soil and shelter the house. Extensive tree
plantings (native vegetation) to the west and south are
intended to act as wind-breaks when fully grown and
provide shading to these walls of the house during
summer. Lesser plantings to the east and north for wind
abatement exist with the immediate northern zone to the
house to be planted with low growinlg shrubs to permit
winter sun ingress.
Construction.
Conventional brick veneer with a double brick, re-inforced
concrete retaining wall to the lower portion of the west and
southern walls. A French drain and bituminous coatings
ensure these walls are water-proof. Light coloured face
bricks feature externally and also inside where they
contribute thermal mass to help stabilise temperature
variations. Pale green sheet metal roofing pitch at 15
degrees predominates whilst the section over the living
room is at 30 degrees. This allows a section of the roofline
to feature south facing clerestorey windows. Skylights on
the southern slope of the roof are intended to provide
lighting when, at a later date, vegetation will have
commenced to shade the south wall windows.
The 100mm
floor slab is paved throughout with light coloured tiles and
carpet will be installed to the bedrooms and living room at
a later date. Raked ceilings to the living areas and main
bedroom are pine board lined, with the remainder of the
house having flat, plasterboard linings.
Systems.
Heated in winter by direct gain through northern glazing
with heat stored in the tiled floor and internal brick walls.
Additional heat is provided by a centrally located solid fuel
combustion heater.
In summer, the north-facing windows are shaded by a
750mm wide eaves overhang supplemented by an
ornamental grape vine covered pergola. Comfort
conditions are maintained by night-time cooling of the
internal mass by south-north cross ventilation. Hot air is
also vented through openable windows in the clerestory
during day or night.
Solar-heated hot water is provided by a Beasley low
pressure system. The storage tank is located within the
roof space with the two collector panels mounted low on
the 30 degree pitched portion of the roof. Automatic
electric boost is provided whilst the panels are fitted with
mechanical anti-freeze valves.
Insulation and sealing.
R2 rockwool batts to externall wall cavities; R2.1 rockwool
batts to all internal stud walls (improved acoustic
properties). R2 roof blanket draped over roof purlins and
additional R2 batts to flat ceiling areas and vertical in-fill
panels. Lined curtains are provided to glazed areas to the
north with sealed thresholds to external doors and sealing
strips to select internal doors. Standard hair seals are
provided to aluminium sliding doors and windows.
Future projects.
Provision of a photovoltaic/battery powered back-up
lighting system to select rooms. A thermal courtyard/patio
area to the immediate north will augment cross ventilation
on still air days. Plumbing in of the water tanks will
permit the choice of either mains or rainwater in the house.
Planting will continue to establish three levels of
vegetation.
