Building a Better Way
Building concept for sustainable house on a ridge
The point of difference for this building design is to incorporate integrated energy and water-use systems to maximise the efficient use of resources and minimise the impact on community and grid infrastructure. the design will not be "stand-alone" but have a minimal need beyond the property boundary.
It is to be a comfortable home that is pleasing to live in and has a strong connection to the land. The structure will have flows to outdoor living with a capacity for "retreat" to a homely and warm base area during periods of rough or cold weather.
The home will have a modular structure that aligns with the ridge topography of the building platform.
We have a basic layout already with this concept but no profile detail. We could do with help forming a team to develop this home. The building platform is attached.
- Attachments:
-
-
Takamatua DP2627 018.jpg, 585 KB
-
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Richard Neill on -
Hi I'm interested in finding out what your proposals are? I specailise in strawbale construction and have a experience in all kinds of areas to do with water and power generation systems.
Ricard
-
Permalink Reply by Mark Wren on -
Hi Richard, Thanks for the reply. We are looking at design proposals right now. Especially after the 7.2 earthquake we are interested in stable platforms and design! Our sustainable priority is focussed on energy efficiency and water use and conservation. We have a stream with flow beside the building site. we also have mains electricity to the gate 50m away. Reticulation to the municipal water supply is also readily available. We are trying to have an integrated supply model to use water/power from available sources efficiently. Straw bale building is not a consideration for us at the moment.
-
Permalink Reply by Richard Neill on
-
Hi Mark, I hope you got thru the event with minimal damage, one of the reasons I settled on strawbale building was their high wind and earthquake resistance coupled with being extremely energy efficeint. The building platform should be anchored at the back of the building and I would start with what type of home and construction materials ,then you can best design your platform to suit the building. We are building our own water wheel that will generate power and run a water pump to supply water. What flow rates do you have out of your stream? I would start with an energy audit and once you have worked out usage then can you be sustainable with your power or do you use a combination of grid power/ supplementing this with what power you can generate.
© 2012 Created by Tim Bishop.
Powered by 
.
