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| Healthy Home |
| This healthy home design brings together new technology, solar design and resource efficient strategies. |
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The Healthy Home project is the creation of Queensland universities, the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and environmentally sound industry partners. It was designed by Queensland University's Architectural Department and incorporates leading edge technology, passive solar design and resource efficiency strategies.
Dr Chris Prosser is a chiropractor with an interest in healthy living in the home. As a parent, he wanted to create a healthy living environment for his children. To create the Healthy Home, Chris used some of the philosophies from the "Breathe Easy" home design in Victoria and research from Canada and the US.
Chris' Healthy Home project is a two-storey fibre cement and corrugated clad Queenslander. The design is driven by function, combining healthy living with comfort and aesthetics. Recycled timber is used throughout the home, and the design is easy for builders to adopt.
The Healthy Home has many special features, including a hydraulic system. The water flow system saves up to 50% of the water used, saving money and precious resources. To reduce mains water usage, the house includes filtered rainwater storage and water efficient appliances. The electrical system is also environmentally friendly, with energy and water efficient white goods, solar hot water and more.
The home is naturally cool in summer, using atrium space, a central breezeway and a pavilion plan to utilise air flow. The open layout and louvres allow air to move vertically through the house, while blue tinted glass reduces glare. The Healthy Home faces north, catching the winter sun and summer shade.
Inside, Chris has used plants to generate quality air. There is also a ducted vacuum system, organic timber finishes and a highly efficient cleaning system. Aluminium foil insulation stops 97% of radiant heat, and high performance architectural glass lessens the need for artificial lighting. The glass lights 71% of the home's interior for a long period of time.
Outside, the landscaping system uses free form rock paving and pebble hard landscaping. There is also a permaculture garden with fresh herbs and natural insect control.
The house is monitored daily for air temperature, floor temperature and water use, to test the environmental technology. This is made possible through a University of Queensland grant.
Cost and Environmental Savings
Saves approximately $450 to $500/year or 2/3rd of the average Queensland household electricity bill of $750
equates to approximately 70% reduction in household greenhouse gas production or 4,000kg of carbon dioxide/year
generates 4,500kw hours of green power/year, saving a further 5,000kg of greenhouse gas production and a further $280/year.
1,150litres mains water/day or 418,000 mains litres/year and $65/year
Main Features
North orientation and shading to maximise breeze in summer, provide solar access in winter and solar exclusion in summer
Light weight northern eastern orientated building skin to provide rapid heat gain in winter
Ground connected mass construction to lower story to provide "cool pools" for daytime living in summer and "warm pools" for evenings in winter
Utilise servant spaces to buffer served space from westerly sun and heat gain
Use of breezeway and water feature to promote ventilation and evapourate cooling between pavilions through the venturi effect
Atrium space to promote convective cooling in summer calm conditions and light to deep plan spaces
Utilisation of smart window technology to reduce glare and solar gain to interior spaces
Cool colour scheme and landscaping to promote psychological comfort
Conserving energy
Conserving materials and resources
Working with climate
Respect for site
Respecting for users
Holism
Location
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More Info
Chris Prosser and The Healthy Home Project:
Ph: (07) 5539 9722 (w) or 0402 993203(m). Fax: (07) 5539 9511
PO Box 1616, Broadbeach, Qld. 4218
Email: ghealthi@fan.net.au (or) thehealthyhome@hotmail.com
Website: www.architect@uq.edu.au
Stay tuned in 2001 for the upcoming website www.thehealthyhouse.com.au.
For further information on energy efficient design features contact Energex at the Energy Institute via its website, or go to www.dme.qld.gov.au and click onto the Office of Sustainable Energy.
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Disclaimer
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