Eco Lifestyle Self Sustainable Retreat, Offering Comfort, Space, Tranquillity, Privacy, Stream, Native bush, Tararua Forest Park, Large Open plan, 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, Large Indoor Garage/Workshop
Self-Sufficient,
Self-Sustainable, built Environmentally Responsible using Natural, Recycled or
Renewable materials where possible, Built to Highest standards
Steven, trained as an Industrial Design Engineer took every measure to combine Beauty with Quality. He applied modern concepts like passive solar heating and under floor heating. That combined with double glazing, extra layers of insulation created a super warm and dry home for winter.
We styled it 'Functional', 'Minimalistic' and a little North European, with lots of natural light, large windows, polished concrete floors and large open spaces. By using white washed natural wood for shelving, wardrobe and cupboards we created a cosy feel. Beams in the ceiling, romantic modern light fittings and a neutral colour scheme add to the atmosphere.
Construction
and features
Dwelling
is based on a pole construction that is framed out using 6 x 2s to be able to
fit in more insulation, using Greenstuff, made from recycled polyester bottles.
Outside
Cladding on South side of the house is
corrugated iron (low maintenance).
North
side is 30 mm thick clear 3.2 H treated Radiata Pine weather boards , oiled 3
times with Intergrain professional grade outside timber oil.
All around behind the outside cladding, the house
has been lined with 15 mm H3.1 treated plywood for extra protection and bracing.
Roof is insulated with extra thick Wool (Ecofleece) bats, R4.4.
Internal walls and ceilings are lined with 13 mm gib board (instead of 10 mm standard).
Internal walls and ceilings are lined with 13 mm gib board (instead of 10 mm standard).
Roof
–long run roofing that is 0.55 BMT (instead of 0.4 standard) fastened with text
screws.
Joinery has been made in extra strong Metro series, all double glazed. Large sliders at front
measure 3.6 m wide by 2.5 m high !
Concrete floor, foundation is insulated with polystyrene and has under floor heating.
Floor has
been polished to expose the beauty of Wairarapa river pebbles and sealed with a
professional solvent based acrylic sealer.
Wagner
stove, which is a gem to cook on, or roast a leg of lamb in the oven. It has a
large wetback that heats up a large 300 litre hot water cylinder. If the water
in the cylinder gets over 65 degrees there is an option of using the excess
water to warm up the floors using the under floor heating system.
Kitchen
has been hand made. A double sink and gas hob for summer cooking sit in the
concrete bench top.
The bathroom
and kitchen are fitted with Felton tap ware.
Water
supply from Spring on hill, gets filtered through sand and stored in a 1000
litre tank, before being gravity fed to the house. High pressure shower !!!
4500
litre septic tank – 6 person household capacity
Battery
bank and inverter live in a small shed under/behind the solar panels
2 sheds
have been built for firewood storage
Chook
house in an area with a small stream and native bush, fenced off to free
range chooks
Well fenced paddock, over an acre, with Solar powered hotwire on 2 sides, easy to strip-fence off certain areas. Some trees in paddock for shade.