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Products:
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Austral Bricks Cervantes clay bricks from the WA Cream & Pastel Collection |
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Austral Bricks Verticore double-height utility bricks |
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Austral Bricks Folklore Cobblestone clay pavers |
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Bristile Roofing Vienna profile, terracotta roof tiles in Copper Blaze |
An Austral Bricks-sponsored demonstration home in Perth has set a new standard in energy efficiency, achieving seven stars under the AccuRate system.
But the real story is that this is achieved using conventional materials and construction processes, and proven design principles. No special processes, nothing ‘experimental’ and no compromise in comfort for the lucky eventual occupants.
The Austral Bricks Sustainable Home was designed by Solar Dwellings, a specialist in energy-efficient homes using passive design principles. Their client was Jade Projects, a building company with a strong record in sustainable housing.
The four principles of passive design – orientation, ventilation, insulation and thermal mass – are well accepted, with orientation often considered the most difficult to achieve consistently. This is rejected by Solar Dwellings’ principal Griff Morris who maintains “You can make most blocks work.” In this case, the back of the block faces north-west and the simple response was to orientate large windows to the north, by angling that corner of the house.
Surprisingly, the Austral Bricks Sustainable Home achieves its seven-star rating without wall insulation. The walls are constructed in cavity brickwork – standard practice in the West. The high thermal mass of brickwork (coupled with a concrete slab) is an integral component of passive design. |
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Research has shown that the thermal mass of brickwork is instrumental in ironing out the peaks and troughs of heat flow, providing a high level of thermal comfort without having to constantly resort to artificial heating and cooling. In fact, the demonstration house does not have air-conditioning.
“The Austral Bricks Sustainable Home clearly demonstrates that it’s possible to design and construct an attractive, affordable, energy-efficient house using conventional materials and techniques,” says Brad Moore, WA marketing manager for Austral Bricks and Bristile Roofing.
Griff Morris adds that it is feasible for energy-efficiency principles to be applied to project homes. “It’s mostly a matter of educating designers, sales people and the public,” he contends. “But in the end it’s not rocket science.”
More information
www.jadeprojects.com.au
www.solardwellings.com.au
The Role of Thermal Mass in
Energy-Efficient House Design,
> Click here for project location
