Browse Forums Building A New House Re: A Strawbale House 9Nov 09, 2011 12:29 pm Jasmin Hickinbotham Belmont - modified Signed: February 2011 Slab should go down before 2012 My build thread https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=52310&p=799483#p799483 Re: A Strawbale House 11Nov 09, 2011 7:11 pm * jas * Good luck, your plan looks great. Our average summer temp is about 45 and it does get alot hotter but she says that it is always cooler in their house and they dont use the ac as much as everyone else. Thanks Jas - That's the result I would like too, although for me it's more about keeping the warm in - most of the time anyway. The window sills are certainly a dead giveaway. I like the solidity of strawbale walls, and they minimise noise too. Variegated A Strawbale House 12Dec 05, 2011 6:05 pm A little bit of progress - Back from another meeting with architect and builder. Following our last meeting there has been a further variation of plans drawn up - essentially the same house, with some slight size-of-room differences to accommodate strawbale walls in the middle module of the house. The problem with this variation is - what else? - the cost. Rendering the walls is costed at $120 per sq m, and strawbale needs this on both sides. This adds about $100,000 to the price. Whilst this might be possible to wrangle, I had planned on retiring some time this century to enjoy my house, so I guess I'll stick with the first option (link to plans in first post). Architect is looking at submitting the "shell plan" for Development Approval, which can take up to 2 months to get approved, while we work together to get the details sorted out. First draft of the energy rating system is 7 stars with aluminium dg windows, and the assessor said it may be possible to tweek that a bit without adding costs. She also said that 7 stars mean a 25% saving in heating/cooling costs over a 6 star building, which adds up to significant savings over time! We also talked about heating, and I have suggested underfloor heating - does anyone have any ideas on cost of this? There is currently $8000 allowance for heating, and it would be nice to know if this is enough. Variegated Re: A Strawbale House 13Feb 11, 2012 7:39 pm This can be a slow process, can't it? Ffurther meetings with architects have been held just before Christmas, and again yesterday, and papers have been signed to put the documentation in to get Development Approval! Choices have therefore been narrowed down a bit - the roof will be either Colorbond Windspray or Shale Grey, the render on the strawbale walls a warm white, and the cladding on the non strawbale walls will probably be a rough sawn timber, left to weather to a soft grey, something like this: http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_s ... 2010012581 Further refinement of the plans continues - the size and shape of the house are settled, with changes to the interior still possible. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Yesterday we discussed the possibility of pushing the wall in the loft bedroom back, so that the bedroom is bigger, and the vanity space in the ensuite is smaller - there is really lots of room in there. Another option put forward was making the bathroom a bit smaller, and using the space as more storage - linking up the storage space in the roof so it is one space rather than two separate ones. Any thoughts? I'm thinking that I might tile the entry foyer, so that's something else I have to make a decision about! Variegated Re: A Strawbale House 14Feb 13, 2012 3:33 pm Looking forward to seeing your strawbale house take shape ... the plan looks great - you should use the space you have to maximum advantage so it's up to you whether you want the indulgence of a larger bedroom or more storage space..... or leave it as it is For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: A Strawbale House 15Feb 14, 2012 8:03 pm Thanks Mclaren - your summary of my options is masterly! Variegated A Strawbale House - Development Application Stage 16Feb 26, 2012 1:22 pm The documents have been submitted and have passed initial scrutiny. Application fees for Development application have been paid so the process can start. Hoping that it doesn't take too long.... Variegated Re: A Strawbale House 20Mar 19, 2012 6:32 pm Pauankim, I haven't actually thought about putting a bath in the ensuite, although I agree that there would indeed be plenty of room. When my architect and I were discussing bathrooms, I realised that the last time I used the bath would have been about 3 years ago, and that was to wash a fleece (wool for spinning). I would get so little use from it that I really don't think it is worth the expense. Despite the bathroom companies attempting to convince us that bathrooms are a place to retreat to relax and unwind, I just want a pleasant place to get clean Variegated You’re on the right track, wire brush in a grinder then a zinc rich epoxy primer then a top coat of some sort, like a waterproofing membrane. Raising the concrete would… 1 7113 How good is Simeon?! Always taking time to help others out! Wish we were building in NSW and could work together. Thanks for all that you do! 7 6624 Really tight at the top of the stairs- how to get furniture into those rooms? Study books - does anyone really use them these days? Large storage closet would be more functional. 2 6968 |