Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Plans of the house


North is top. Windows might change due to measuring sun angles in winter to maximise thermal mass. All water is located in the SW of the house, to maximise grey water movement. Electricity is also mantained on the back half of the house to limit cable use. Elevation plan to come.

2 comments:

  1. This is so interesting!
    I moved to SA with little money and at an age when I couldn't do much of the building work myself, so I bought a very old stone house that had been functional before any of the "grids" were around.
    My house faces just about due south (despite the street running at an angle) and it's been built for the climate... verandahs and small windows, big fireplaces... and I still have the original stove (circa 1900) that I use daily.
    The layout is different from yours, but I can see how this house was made with similar thoughts in mind.... without the power plant and the battery room!
    Even the plumbing is an afterthought and consequently all together... cheaper! And back in the day, there was a "long drop" toilet though since then a modern flushing one has been added on the back verandah.
    It is jsut so interesting to see how similar problems were solved "back in the day". Using millions of years worth of stored energy has certianly changed the thinking on house design... to the McMansions of some outer suburbs that I could mention!
    Can't wait to see more of your progress.

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  2. Nice simple design. Will the toilet (assuming its still waterless) need more sun?

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