"Strathearn" project
Location: - Wistow S.A.
Date Completed: - Febr. '95
Architect: - E . Prelgauskas
Builder: - owner built
Owner: - Sandra Kelly
Size: - 120 sq. metre
Climate: - Dry, warm temperate
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Objectives.
To develop a self sufficient low energy demand residence complete
with greenhouse. The house to suit retirement living and to
make on-site revegetation activities practical. Development
to suit minimum disturbance of the land during construction.
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Site.
30 ha. of cleared grazing land with steep slopes and exposed
rock formations and abutting a seasonal creek.
The land is being revegetated.
The building site selected is on the northern end of the
land and has a north-east slope. A long access road, and
staging tanks for water pumping from the creek, were all
necessary to make the site practicable.
Construction.
The house design formed a Y shape to seat on a triangular bench
on the north-east slope. This arrangement minimised the cut
needed into the land and ensured that portions of the house
(living room and solar systems) have good north solar orientation.
The design embodies a greenhouse at its eastern end, and a
shadecloth enclosure at the north-west end.
Internal spaces have raked ceilings.
The building is of prefabricated steel section portal structure,
with mixed steel cladding and stone recycled from on site;
internal mixed stone and timber framed walls.
Framed walls and roof are R2 insulated.
The central combined ablutions and laundry wet area has
clerestorey south windows and solar system pitched roof above.
The building has Beige steel surfaces and natural stone
blending with the landform colours.
Systems.
Water is held in storage tanks at the crest of the land and
gravity/pump reticulated to the residence.
Supply is both roof collected rain water to a sump and pumped
to the tanks, and creek water pumped via the staging tanks
to storage.
Solar hot water with wood stove wet back boost is built-in up
in the bathroom cupboard, with panels on the steep roof.
Solar photovoltaics on the steep roof section generate
electricity stored in batteries in the hallway cupboard,
the kitchen mounted 1.5kW inverter produces 240V AC.
Lighting is 24V DC. Circuits are zoned, with indicator lights
on all switches.
A mobile generator services high demand site power systems.
Waste is to split tank Rowley system, septic to underground
disposal, grey water to site watering.
Occupation.
Comfort is maintained by manipulation of openings and systems.
