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101 Sustainability Features of
a house at Currumbin Eco Village.
http://yagoi.org/features/
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Our home
– how it measures up:
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1. 1kW Kyocera photovoltaic system, which usually makes the house
carbon neutral – operationally (and sometimes ‘Impact Positive’ ‘ producing
more energy than the house needs).
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5kW solar PV system to be installed asap – all wired up ready to go.
Some electrical components recycled – eg. Power point covers.
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2. Low wattage lightbulbs only: No lights over 15 Watts. No wasteful
halogens spot lights that spread light into corners of the house that never
get used. LEDs and CFLs and fluorescent T5s only
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LED, CFL and fluoro lights.
Most light covers are recycled pendants.
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3. Lower wattage LCD TV, rather than a high wattage Plasma TV.
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LCD TV (not in house)
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4. No energy zapping clothes dryer.
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Solar powered clothes dryer – recycled Hills Hoist
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5. Standby power removed, all ‘Vampire/Phantom’ loads are negated by
turning appliances off at the wall when not in use.
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Hmm, probably not gonna happen 100% in our house.
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6. Energy efficient refrigerator.
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??
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7. Energy efficient washing machine.
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Not sure.
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8. An ‘evacuated tube Solar Hot Water system’ a traditional home uses
28% of its power just to heat hot water.
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‘Run on Sun’ evacuated tube Solar HWS
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9. Use of gas instead of electricity for stove, oven and (backup) hot
water heating requirements.
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High efficiency induction cooktop, electric oven running mostly off
solar PV when installed
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10. Reticulated LPG gas removes the need for bottles on site, which
reduces risk, transport (refilling) and materials (steel).
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N/A
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11. High efficiency Rinnai Gas Heaters (as it can get down to 0
degrees in the Valley in winter).
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No space heating, but will be wood-fired pot belly and/or outdoor
café blinds if required.
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12. Use of recycled besser blocks.
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Recycled bricks for plinths, salvaged bricks for bath hob
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13. Extensive use of recycled timber (eg. floor boards from an old
barns and bridge timbers).
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Recycled jarrah battens, other structural timber FSC, recycled jarrah
architraves, skirtings, window seats
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14. Recycled doors.
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Recycled and salvaged internal doors.
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15. Use of bamboo decking from sustainably managed forests.
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Salvaged and recycled concrete pavers to verandah area.
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16. Use of a Hi-Macs benchtop (which is low-VOC, low waste and
repairable, making it very long lasting).
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Recycled jarrah kitchen benchtop – finished with Livos oil. Lovely story to this wood.
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17. Use of recycled steel (including train tracks for balcony beams,
star pickets in the garden and corrugated steel sheeting in sections).
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Structural steel not ‘recycled’, recycled colourbond celiling and
verandah lining
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18. Use of second hand furniture, made locally and from sustainably
managed and certified forests where possible.
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Second hand furniture mostly from local charity shops
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19. Recycled spotted-gum and golden cypress timber kitchen doors.
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Recycled jarrah kitchen.
Recycled laminate kitchen cupboards in hobby room and laundry.
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20. Use of a second hand garage door with minor marks, but works just
fine.
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No garage door in house.
Verandahs sized for carporting.
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21. Use of only local Australian tiles, rather than imported products
which harbour many more ‘transport miles’ (embodied energy).
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Imported new tiles for floors and walls; salvaged tiles for
splashbacks
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22. Use of long lasting plastic Splashbacks called Zenolite, that are
100% recyclable; rather than high embodied energy glass.
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Salvaged ceramic tiles for splashbacks and laundry wall.
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23. Solar North facing.
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North facing
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24. Maximised solar access (because with correctly sized eaves you
can make the sun work for you) ie. elongated East-West building. Shading of
all internal areas to reduce heat gain in summer.
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Wrap-around verandah on all sides – protects east and west (trees
also on west).
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25. Energy efficient ceiling fans in all living areas .
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No ceiling fans
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26. A large central breezeway to maximise natural ventilation,
removing the need to have fans on all summer.
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Windows sited for natural ventilation
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27. Suspended concrete slab in living area to provide additional
thermal mass i.e. for a heat bank in winter and cooling mass in summer.
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Concrete slab with ceramic tiles
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28. High transmission, Low emissivity (low-e) glazing.
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Double glazing, 5mm toughened glass externally for bushfire
protection
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29. Double glazing on the (few) western windows.
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Double glazing all windows and doors. Weather strips to all windows and doors.
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30. Full length curtains and blinds to manage heat and cold.
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N/A – but will install if required – with pelmets.
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31. Design integrated to use the large tree on the site (to provide
shading from the hot western afternoon sun.
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House sited with trees to west.
House sited to minimise site works too.
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32. Roof design to ensure the photovoltaic panels are at the optimal
pitch (25 degrees) and solar hot water (33-38 degrees).
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Roof designed for bushfire protection and solar access.
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33. More external (deck) space than a traditional home, as this is
cheaper to build and encourages more outdoor living, where the quality of the
air is greater and sun provides essential vitamin D etc.
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3.5m verandah on all sides, 3 acre garden for Vit D.
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34. Covered outdoor space to ensure all year round outdoor living is
possible.
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“Café” blinds may be installed to north for extra winter heat
gain. Verandah on all sides allows a
year round comfort zone somewhere.
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35. Inclusions to ensure a 7+ Star Energy Rating (using Accurate).
This the minimum rating in much of Europe and USA. Australian States only
typically mandate 5 Star.
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House rated at 7.5 Star.
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36. Use of bulk insulation
http://www.insulation.com.au/sustainability.aspx and double-sided reinforced
foil insulation http://www.protherm.com.au to help keep the house cool in
summer and warm in winter.
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Roof and external walls strawbales.
Render is lime/sand – no cement.
All internal walls and the northern external wall are R4 wool batts.
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37. External Ventilation around the refrigerator to ensure it works
optimally.
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Fridge situated next to back door for summer ventilation.
Pantry is earth-tube cooled.
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38. Externally flued gas stove top to enhance safety and remove
odours completely.
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N/A. Externally flued
rangehood.
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39. Security screening to promote breezes and safety.
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Jarrah framed flyscreens internally (casement windows)
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40. Use of clerestory windows to bring more light into the living
pavilion and onto the strip of suspended concrete slab.
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Eastern gable window. Roof
‘framed up’ for skylights if required.
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41. Use of louvre windows to maximise airflow and control.
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Eastern gable is louvres.
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42. Use of large ventilated skylights in bathrooms and corridor to
remove the need for lights during sunlight hours and encourage natural
ventilation.
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External wall of bathroom is actually a sliding (double glazed) door. Eastern gable window is in the only
hallway.
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43. Sensor lights in corridors and walk in robes, to improve
adaptability (which is part of sustainability) ie; ease of use, reduce energy
and improve safety.
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Sensor light in pantry.
Exhaust fans in bathroom and WC on timer controls.
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44. Low and minimised lighting to adhere to the Dark Sky Policy,
which minimizes glare, light trespass and light pollution, while maintaining
night-time safety/security, security and does not adversely impact on
night-time visual amenity. This policy also helps to reduce light pollution
which disrupts the breeding cycles of insects which are vital parts of our
biosphere. This includes the use of pendant lights to ensure light is applied
more directly to where it is required (eg. bench tops and tables). Wall
lights are also used instead of flood lights.
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All internal lights are pendants or wall lights. External lights are wall and ceiling
mounted fluoros. Conscious of keeping
down light pollution.
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45. Extra wide 870mm doors to cater for wheelchair access.
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All doors minimum 870mm. Door
handles at 1m and power points at 300mm for accessibility.
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46. Minimisation of stairs to enhance access i.e. ramps throughout
and to each level.
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Single level but would need a ramp for external door access as the
step is high.
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47. Semi-recessed bathroom basins (to enable wheel chairs to get
under them).
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No, had to change this unfortunately as could not get bathroom vanity
cupboard as desired. Bathroom vanity drawer
unit is a ‘second’.
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48. Hobless (step free) shower floors.
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Yes.
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49. Separate and accessible Home Office.
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Yes – in hobby room.
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50. Adjustable height shower heads.
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Yes, normal pivot one.
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51. Lever or D-shaped handles for doors, cupboards and drawers
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Yes, except where already part of recycled kitchen (may be changed in
future).
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52. Rounded corners on bench tops.
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Semi.
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53. Lever water taps.
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Yes.
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54. Extra wide garage.
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N/a though shed is big enough at 6x9m.
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55. Single storey construction.
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Yes.
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56. No ‘on site council rubbish service’ this encourages residents to
reduce their waste. Residents then take their waste and recycling the central
‘Reduce, Reuse Recycle’ centre. All waste food is composted on site for use
in productive gardens.
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Smallest size wheelie bin used.
All paper and cardboard; and plant/food recycled on site
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57. Water Efficient fittings shower heads i.e. high WELS rating.
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Yes.
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58. Water efficient tap fittings.
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Yes.
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59. Water efficient dishwasher (as on their ‘eco’ cycle, dishwashers
can use much less water compared to hand washing).
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Yes.
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60. Water and energy efficient front-loading washing machine.
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Not yet.
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61. Water tanks ‘ 45,000 litres on site – for all potable (drinking)
water.
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160,500L water tank as sole water supply
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62. Gutter guard in all roof gutters to maximise on site water
quality.
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Leafless gutter guard – for bushfire protection and water quality
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63. Connection to the Ecovillage recycled water system, that recycles
all black and grey water
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Gator Pro Grey water system, onsite septic tanks and plastic
(recycled/recyclable) leach drains.
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64. Use of Best Practice Guidelines for the ‘Control of Storm Water
Pollution from Building Sites’
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Swales to retain storm water on site, reed bed to be installed in
future for ‘bog’ (habitat) area of block
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65. Sediment and erosion control during construction.
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Yes – spoon drains.
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66. Recycled water back to the house for use in all toilets and
irrigation on plants.
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Grey water unit to water future orchard. Rainwater for all other water.
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67. The house is H-Shaped The house contains no electronic air
conditioners, because it doesn’t need it.
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House is rectangular for bushfire protection.
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68. Recycling of 80%+ of all waste materials from site during and
after construction.
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Only 2 trailer loads of rubbish removed from site during construction
– we recycled the excess concrete under the driveway, broke tiles as infill,
mulched the plasterboard to add gypsum to our clay areas; shredded cardboard
for compost.
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69. Swale drainage to minimise the need for guttering and excessive
water-flow control, and to control water for even garden disbursement.
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Yes, as part of landscaping to come.
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70. Native species (Australian) to reduce weed species and support
local wildlife eg. native birds and bees that pollinate our fruit trees.
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Yes – windbreaks all natives.
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71. Endemic species – local to the area, to ensure drought tolerance
etc.
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Yes, sourced from Geographe Landcare Nursery.
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72. Food producing species (fruit trees, herbs and vegetables) to
make food available at the door, to reduce transport costs and improve human
health.
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Yes, raised vege tank garden mandela (recycled tanks) using Linda
Woodrow’s “Permaculture for the Home
Garden” designs, and orchard (to be established 2015)
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73. Chickens: for local organic eggs and to fertilise the gardens.
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Yes, asap. Coop and run will
be recycled wood frame, steel floor and recycled colourbond roof/walls. Will try for salvaged wire.
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74. Minimization of continuous strip footings to reduce the
geological impact on natural water movement and erosion
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No, didn’t do this one.
Did use a barrier termite system though instead of sprays.
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75. Use of only water-permeable road and pathways, to allow natural
drainage to occur and avoid water build-up and hence storm-water management
(road gutters).
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Yes, salvaged concrete pavers and organic paths
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76. No lawn to minimise water usage. Lawns are available within the
community on a mass scale, which is a far more sustainable and community
orientated solution.
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Not yet, but may have some self-sustainable, drought resistant lawn
at some stage.
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77. Use of low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) finishes eg. low VOC
Paint (Rockcote, Wattyl-ID and Resene).
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Yes. Only high VOC products
were Sikkens wood stain and laminate paint.
Low VOC liquid nails is a great product!
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78. Use of non-toxic cleaners, for dish washing, clothes washing,
hand washing, body washing etc
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Yes of course.
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79. No artificial sprays or herbicides on the garden to guarantee
organic food production and remove the chance of runoff polluting nearby
waterways and eventually oceans (where it all ends up eventually).
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Yes of course.
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80. 99% reduction in the use of PVC. We use HDPE instead for health
reasons (as the use of toxic PVC is questionable).
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No, couldn’t do this one easily.
Would have loved to!
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81. No use of CCA treated timber which contains arsenic and still
exists in ‘coppers logs’ in some children’s playgrounds.
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Sorry, we have CCA treated pine wall frames. Would definitely like to investigate
alternatives.
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82. Non-toxic timber finishes that are water based and don’t leach
toxins into the local water supply.
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Not all. Sikkens and Livos
oils used – both turps clean up.
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83. Adequately illuminated and ventilated bathrooms and bedrooms to
remove the ability of toxic mould to breed.
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Yes. We have a sliding glass
door as the external bathroom wall, so it can be opened wide!
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84. The Ecovillage has laid its own fibre-optic network underground
to ensure it can provide all homes with high-speed voice (phone) and data
(internet) services. This provides the opportunity for people to work from
home and within the community, saving transport costs and time.
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Well, we hope to have some home-based business opportunity.
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85. The Ecovillage at Currumbin has developed (courtesy of the
developer) its own tailor-made internal, community portal, that allows
internal dialogue daily via email groups, of which there are over 40 optional
sub-groups to participate in.
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Adventuresinsunnystrawbales.blogspot.com.au
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86. Data and coax points in every room to allow for independence.
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No, too tempting for teenagers.
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87. ‘Star wiring’ in sections of the house to future proof it. ie;
CAT5 UTP Cable to all rooms for internet and VOIP phone connections.
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No.
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88. Within walking distance of 100 friendly neighbours/friends.
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Yes!
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89. Use of bikes to get to local facilities.
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Can do to get to wood fired bakery and Simmos J.
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90. EcoHamlet single lane roads to reduce car transport priority,
making it safer for pedestrians.
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N/a
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91. Use of environmentally friendly appliances only (ie. those with
5+ energy and water star ratings).
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Not all of ours would be 5 star in both ratings.
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92. Operable ventilation in clerestory windows to evacuate hot summer
air.
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Yes, in eastern gable
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93. Reduce, Reuse and Recycling principles used throughout. The
Ecovillage RRR Centre will facilitate this on a much wider community scale.
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Yes. Building waste
minimisation.
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94. Composting of all food scraps to reduce waste and enhance compost
quality which is used to enhance food production.
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Yes
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95. Use of reusable bags and boxes for shopping and storage.
Avoidance of non-recyclable packaging.
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Yes.
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96. Residents give preference to purchasing locally produced produce.
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Farmers’ markets nearby and backyard food production.
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97. Minimise purchase of meat products and only from organic, local,
free-range, humanely raised animals.
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Try to do this.
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98. Inclusion of a revolutionary innovative end-user touch-screen
interface called EcoVision, which shows how the house is using water,
electricity and gas (and temperature) in real time. This raises awareness of
occupants and helps them to manage and reduce their utility consumption.
http://www.ecovisionsolutions.com.au
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No, might investigate in future.
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99. Built in the Ecovillage at Currumbin, to enhance sustainability
on a local and more global scale. The Community ensures common facilities are
shared which reduced embodied energy, greenhouse gases and maintenance costs
eg; no individual pools allowed, everyone uses the beautiful community pool.
The house also includes an intentional 15m2 of office space for local
sustainable business.
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Well this couldn’t happen for us – being as we are in a different
state! But we are in the old Rosneath
Eco Farm estate. Like the community
pool idea though. And would love a
playground on our estate.
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100. Respect for the traditional caretakers of the land, the
Kombumerris at the opening of our community meetings and through naming of
our Ecohamlets.
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Yes! We acknowledge the
Wardandi people and their ancestors who first walked this land.
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101. No artificial fencing to remove barriers between neighbours,
encourage some tolerance, and encourage natural soft planting/hedges.
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All fencing done by developers has wildlife corridors (openings)
which is just lovely.
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102.
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Used local tradespeople and suppliers (where possible) to promote
community and reduce transport miles.
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103.
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House designed so two rooms can become a ‘self-contained’ flat if
required in future.
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104.
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House designed with bushfire protection area –hallway.
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105.
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Home self-designed using ‘A
Pattern Language’ by Christopher Alexander.
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Even with all these features the house is not perfect, but given the
scope and limits, it can demonstrate that ‘anything is possible’.
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Yes, we sure did try!
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