Abode Online - Barrabool Estate

BARRABOOL ESTATE
Solar Solutions Design and Drafting Suite 2

199 Stud Rd
Wantirna, VIC 3152
T: (03) 9801 7247
F: (03) 9801 7707
E: inforequest@solarsolutionsdesign.com.au
W: www.solarsolutionsdesign.com.au

The home needed to be a showpiece for entertaining, with the ability to have indoor and outdoor entertaining, whilst taking advantage of the 180 degree views of the surrounding hills. Energy efficiency was very important, with an emphasis on limiting the need for heating and cooling. The large site was situated amongst rolling hills in the rural setting of Ceres.

The wind gusting from the south west would need to be taken into account in the design. With energy efficiency in mind, the design incorporated as much northerly aspect as possible. Solar passive design was integral for the placement of rooms to allow for comfortable living, and the northern deck created the indoor/outdoor living area that the client was after. Timber double glazed windows were used throughout, with a louvre shading system incorporated to shade the northern windows in summer, whilst allowing the winter sun to penetrate into the home. A concrete slab was used for thermal mass, and a Hebel wall system with great thermal properties clads the home. The materials used incorporated aspects of efficiency, sustainability and the need to blend with the surrounding rural environment that existed on site. The sandstone blocks and muted render tones capture the subtle tones of the rural landscape, with feature timber cladding used to bring rich colour to the facade. The location of the house on the sloping site allowed the deck and wet edge pool to emphasize the falloff effect, while creating an entertaining area with brilliant views. The home was located on the northern side of the crest of the hill to shield it from the south-westerly winds.

Internal spaces are filled with ample natural light, with white used to emphasize the rich colour from the timber flooring and timber windows. Clean lines create a simple, yet stunning indoor living area overlooking the rolling hills. As the site had limited services, harnessing the natural benefits of the sun and rain were paramount. Solar power cells and a huge water tank were installed to minimise the home’s environmental footprint. The 130,000L water tank harvests all the rain from the roof of the home and shed and supplies all of the home’s water needs. As the owner is only attending the property three days a week, a continuous gas hot water service was specified to eliminate constant hot water storage.

A specialised heat recovery ventilation system is installed in the home which circulates the air from the northern rooms to the rest of the home, whilst replacing stale air with fresh air, creating a user defined humidity level for a comfortable home all year round. This system maximises the limited heating in the home by circulating it around, while only using the equivalent power of a 60W lightbulb.

The outcome is a stunning looking home that satisfied the client’s desire to combine contemporary style and energy efficient living in a home sympathetic to its rural location. The home achieved a 6 star rating, (22 points in Firstrate), provides the indoor/outdoor living the client desired whilst showcasing that an energy efficient home can also be a beautiful home. Good design, appropriate material selection and a strong emphasis on energy efficient principles were what shaped this beautiful contemporary home.

This country oasis blends well with its climate and landscape, giving the client a sustainable home that remains comfortable throughout the year at an affordable price. The balance between cut and fill on site was carefully thought through for the concrete slab as to not adversely change the climate on site. The roof design and direction was depicted by the direction of the prevailing winds to become an element of the land.