Projects> Kirwan


Rotary Club of Mundingburra Inc

Location

1 Burford Ct, (cnr Rochford Street and Burford Court, 'Willowbank Estate', Kirwan (Townsville/Thuringowa, North Queensland)

Display period

Now closed.

The home has been sold and all proceeds from the sale will be donated to charity.

Project summary

Rotary Sustainable Home Kirwan is a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom family home that has been designed using the Smart Housing Design Objectives and incorporates sustainable housing design concepts and technologies suitable for the dry tropics region.

Key attributes of the home include that the home has been designed for comfort, flexibility and liveability and includes features which make it safe, flexible and easy to use by people of all ages and abilities. The home is naturally cool, has significantly less need for air-conditioning, is efficient in its use of energy and water.

Rotary Sustainable Home Kirwan is a community project of the Rotary Club of Mundingburra Inc. Rotary had two clear intentions when commencing this project: to raise funds for charity and to educate the public about appropriate sustainable housing practices for North Queensland.

Proceeds from the sale of the property will be donated to the SpinalInjuries North Queensland (major beneficiary) and also the Life Education Unit, Rotary Overseas Medical Aid for Children, Volunteer Coastguard (Townsville Flotilla), Foodbank and the Townsville Community Learning Centre.

Rotary intends this project to be a business model which will be repeated in future years on other sites.

Key facts

Climate zone
Tropical – Climate Zone 1

Local council
Thuringowa City Council (http://www.thuringowa.qld.gov.au)

Project coordinator
Rotary Club of Mundingburra (http://d9550rotary.org.au/)

Architect/Designer
Bill Barber Design and Drafting

Builder
Rotary Club of Mundingburra

Construction
Commenced: September 2006
Completed: August 2007

Sustainable design features

Passive design (for tropics)

orientation
- living areas located to benefit from prevailing breezes (from NE & SE)
- utility areas (garage, bathroom, toilet, ensuite and laundry) in west
natural ventilation
- three openings provided to most rooms
- pod-style design (ie garage separate from main house)
- extensive use of louvres in internal and external walls
- higher ceilings (2700mm compared to average 2400mm)
heat gain reduced through material selection and design
- timber framed wall construction with reflective foil insulation
- external wall cladding - aerated concrete panel (Hebel) and Weathertex
- colourbond roofing - light coloured and insulated (R2.5)
- light coloured external walls
- wider eaves (725mm)
- sunshades above some windows
- grey tinted glass
- tile internal flooring

Integration of indoor / outdoor living

excellent relationships between internal and external living areas
multiple outdoor living areas provided

Material choices

low thermal mass (Hebel and Weathertex) walls
tile, cork and epoxy-resin flooring
laminate cabinetry and benchtops
LOSP treated timber for roof and wall framing, skirting, architraves
(avoids need for additional termite treatment or barriers)

Flexible use

multiple purpose 'garage' space - suitable for a variety of uses eg car storage, workshop, entertaining area, hobbies with:
- dual access roller doors
- enhanced thermal comfort (ceiling lining, roof insulation, ceiling fans and excellent natural ventilation)
- epoxy-resin floor finish (attractive, non-slip and non-staining)
telecommunications outlets to all living and bedrooms
excellent storage areas (5m² storeroom, wheely bin nook) and fully adjustable shelves, drawers and clothes rails

Water efficiency

WELS 3-star rated showerheads (9L/min)
WELS 3-star rated mixer taps (9L/min)
WELS 4-star rated dual flush toilets (3L/4.5L)
low water use plant species in garden beds
automatic, zoned irrigation system
3000 litre rainwater tank

Energy efficiency

passive design (for tropics) for thermal comfort significantly reducing need for air-conditioning
bedrooms /living areas can be closed off (ie zoned) for efficient air-conditioning
ceiling fans installed extensively (including to patio and garage)
inverter (individual) split system air-conditioners
solar hot water system (manual operated electric booster)
designed for natural daylighting
energy efficient lighting
'controlled hours' tariff 33 electricity supply (for hot water and air-conditioning)
external clothesline (avoids need for electric clothes drying)
greenpower electricity supply (Clean Energy from Ergon)
north facing roof area for future installation of photovoltaic panels

Safety

slip resistant floor finishes
level (step-free) thresholds throughout
step-free (hobless) showers
bath is provided separately to shower
lever mixer taps with temperature control mechanism
children's play areas visible from living areas
reversing bay in driveway avoids reversing onto street
insect screens to all windows and doors
floor finishes selected to avoid allergies

Universal design – accessibility

level (step-free) thresholds throughout (and gentle ramps where required)
wider corridors (1200mm wide compared to average 900mm wide)
wider doorways (920mm wide door compared to average 820mm door)
fully wheelchair accessible bedroom, bathroom and toilet
wide, paved pathway (1120mm) around outside of home

Universal design – easy use by all

covered front and rear entries
lever door handles
D-shaped cupboard handles
lever mixer taps
fittings at easily accessible heights (door handles, light switches, powerpoints)
large format tiles (easier cleaning)
bathroom cabinetry (easy access)
bathroom walls reinforced (for later installation of grabrails)
fold down seat in shower

Security

front entry is visible from the street
sensor lighting to driveway, garage, front porch and front garden
low fence (1200mm) enables casual surveillance of street from living areas
security screens fitted to all windows and doors
door locks are keyed alike
remote-controlled garage door
remote-controlled security system

Construction type
Timber frame with aerated concrete panel (Hebel) and Weathertex cladding and slab on ground.

More information

For more information about Rotary Sustainable Home Kirwan see Self Guided Tour Brochure. Also click on the map at right for a map and directions on how to find the home - it's in a new estate and not in most street directories yet.

Last updated December 2007