This passive-solar-designed sustainable house in the countryside is at one with nature.
Located in a regional Northern New South Wales, this modern eco-friendly luxury home is far from your typical house. Built by Dan Wilks of David Reid Homes, creating this house was as much about building his dream home as it was about creating a structure that clearly defines what he is capable of as a David Reid luxury home builder.
The dwelling displays the best of passive-solar design and ‘green’ building. Dan is passionate about eco-friendly construction and has completed his Housing Industry Association (HIA) Greensmart Course. This beautiful home became his way of proving the theory.
Dan points out that the two most important aspects of building are orientation and insulation. Coupled with these are essential cross-flow ventilation, shading, and passive solar design for eco-friendly living.
“The orientation aspect is a classic example in our case. We have positioned our house a little northeast,” says Dan’s wife. Kylie. “This is perfect for our passive design, but our view of the town is more to the east. Most people think that’s the direction your house should face but although our house is facing the town, it doesn’t mean we don’t get to enjoy a view of it,” she explains.
The interiors are fresh and simple with a neutral theme of white, light and dark grey, complemented by browns from the timber elements. Occasional splashes of colour from furnishings and artwork.
A simple colour palette allows the texture of different materials to become the feature,” says Kylie, adding that the block walls give the house a structural grounding. The north-facing 4 m x 12 m glass doors are another stunning feature and let the tranquil bush view flow into the open style design.
The house has been custom designed to suit the family and, according to Kylie, “The design was about meeting different aspects of our life and future life. We can shut the door of the office and walk away,” says Kylie. The guest room, one of five bedrooms in the house, has its own separate access to the outside.
The Sustainable House and the Family
This sustainable house is open plan and spacious but with quiet areas, such as the library. For a family, the ease of access between the garage and indoors via a mudroom is important for making life more convenient. The positioning of the main bedroom means it has a stunning outlook of the peaceful countryside, it’s close to the living room of the house but retains privacy.
“It’s well-planned spaces like these that make large houses feel like a home.” With free reign over the kitchen design, Kylie decided to create a space with small galley areas. “It certainly doesn’t look like a conventional set-out, but it works for how we live,” she says of the kitchen layout. The kitchen has two distinct areas – one for coffee, tea and breakfast; one for preparation and cooking. The island bench brings the room together and acts as a central space for catching up, serving meals and homework.
Dan’s favourite element of this dream sustainable home is the staircase. It’s a demonstration of excellent planning and workmanship. The result is simple and stunning. The passive design of this rural luxury home includes louvre windows to assist with excellent cross-flow ventilation, hydronic in-slab heating, reverse masonry walls, solar panels, extended eaves on the north side for protection from the summer heat, and extra insulation.
The lawn is watered using a Biolytix waste management system and the western side of the house has an ornamental grapevine growing to assist in shielding the house from the sun in summer while allowing warm sunlight to penetrate during the winter when the vine’s leaves drop.
Dan designed and handmade the home’s concrete panels, which act as a heat pack. “They conduct heat when the sun is long gone and work like magic!” Says Kylie.
With its practical and stylish design, this beautiful sustainable house is energy-efficient and proof that passive eco-design is achievable. It’s no surprise then, that this stylish, contemporary family home was a finalist in the 2013 HIA northern New South Wales housing awards.
Attribution to:
Home Design Magazine volume 16, number 6 “The Summer Living Issue”
Custom Home Builders, David Reid Homes Goulburn Valley and southern Riverina
So many home builders… BUT…
Are you getting caught up in the price war ??
Do you actually know what has been left out or put in ??
Our list price includes:
Smeg Appliances
dishwasher
reverse cycle heat n cool
light fittings
NO EXTRA to build in NSW
no $10,000 for site costs
flyscreens
more than a top-shelf in robes
sliding doors on robes
termite treated timber frames and trusses
Steel Frames?
WE DO STEEL FRAMES too, Colourbond roof, remotes, and auto motor for your roller door.
20mm Caesar stone benchtops, ceiling battens laser leveled and clipped, (not direct screwed plaster to trusses) toilet roll holders, towel rails, the list goes on.
But What About the “Hidden” Costs?
IT’S ALL INCLUDED in our standard inclusions, in our list price. So get past the “so-called price”. We actually let you customise your inclusion list to suit you. You can change any plan or get your own drawn. That’s why we are custom home builders.
Do the Custom build experience, it’s not more expensive, it’s just all included in the first place.
Check out our new Display Home at 78 Sanctuary drive Kialla lakes or our new Cobram Display centre at 1/16 Broadway court.
David Reid Homes luxury home builders are always “raising the standard”. Our professional team of designers, custom home builders and interior decorators are passionate about luxury homes and will help you to design and build your dream luxury home on time and within budget.
With offices throughout Australia, you can be assured of receiving a consistent level of superior service no matter where you choose to build your luxury home. At David Reid Homes we do things differently, and it is our people that make the difference.
Looking for your own custom-built luxury home?
As Australia’s premier custom home builders, David Reid Homes is a pioneer in the building industry’s efforts to deliver homes that are safer, warmer, healthier, and more energy-efficient.
We’ll collaborate with you to find the solutions that work best for you and your family to improve your home’s comfort and value for many years to come.
Here is a checklist to consider for a future proof luxury home by Australia’s Custom Home Builders, David Reid Homes.
Passive solar design – thermal mass, north-facing glass with shading systems
Use recycled content (e.g. GB slag blend) for concrete slabs
Use materials with low embodied energy
Plantation or recycled timber only
LED lighting. Use motion-sensitive switches to activate and turn off where appropriate
Skylights
Shading with adjustable louvers for seasonal variation
Energy generation: Solar panels, solar water heating
Rainwater collection system and tanks
Safe paints and floor finishes
Insulation – roof, wall, and floor
Energy-efficient appliances – 5 stars or better (dishwasher, fridge, stove, air conditioner if fitted)
Crossflow ventilation
Ceiling fans
Grey water treatment system
Drought tolerant garden
Vegetable and herb garden
Fruit trees
“Solar chimney” incorporated in the design to naturally vent hot air
Appropriate sizing of rooms and overall building
Multi-level/split level configuration to minimise the footprint
David Reid Homes is a national building company specialising in unique custom designs. David Reid Homes are custom home builders of luxury homes.
With offices throughout Australia, you can be assured of receiving a consistent level of superior service no matter where you choose to build your luxury home. At David Reid Homes we do things differently and it is our people that make the difference.
Our professional team of designers, custom home builders and interior decorators are passionate about luxury homes and will help you to design and build your dream luxury home on time and within budget.
Our motto is Raising the Standard and our award winning display Homes and numerous satisfied clients are testament to our proven ability to deliver time and time again.
In certain situations, clients prefer to draw inspiration from existing designs; David Reid Homes has an extensive portfolio of concept custom home designs to help homeowners make the right decision.
“Our suite of concept designs has been exclusively created so you can see how design, aesthetics, materials and technology can make a difference in your new home,”
We would love the opportunity to meet with you and with the help of our expert luxury home builders, create your dream luxury home.
– Managing Director, David Reid Homes Ken Beissel.