DRAWINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE BEFORE THE END OF 2026
These SOLARHOME designs for sale utilise fibre-cement sheet and hardwood external wall cladding, a 5-degree skillion roof suitable for corrugated steel, and an elevated timber-framed floor supported by galvanised steel posts, making them suitable for level, sloping, undulating, or poorly drained sites without requiring extensive earthworks. However, if more suitable for the site, they can be built on a concrete floor slab, and other cladding materials can be used if preferred.
If correctly orientated on the site in relation to solar access, and with good quality insulation and airtight construction, these compact buildings will require very little energy to be thermally comfortable in most parts of Australia throughout the year. In summer, north-facing glazing with a 2.4-metre roof overhang of the covered veranda plus side walls prevents direct solar access to the interior of the house when the summer sun is predominantly from the east, west, and directly overhead. With no glazing on the west and east walls, the house will remain relatively cool on even the hottest days. In winter, well-insulated walls, ceiling, and floor, and a compact design minimises heat loss so that the entire house can be kept warm with internal heat gains from occupants and appliances, with the assistance of solar gains from winter sun access when the midday sun is lower in the northern sky, plus a small heater if required.
Convection-driven exhaust vents (whirlybirds) provide continuous passive air movement at all times of the year as warmer air is constantly drawn upwards and out. In winter, with all doors and windows tightly shut, fresh air can be drawn in through an adjustable air vent in the floor under the heater. This continuous air movement will also help prevent internal condensation. However, the actual energy rating will depend on the R-value and airtightness of the windows and the specific insulation material used, plus the overall airtightness of the structure, which depends on the builder's attention to detail.
The detailed construction drawings which will soon be available on this website are prepared by a certified building designer, so in most parts of Australia can be submitted to local council for approval as is, with the addition of a site plan by a local surveyor, an engineer's certificate, and whatever else your council requires. However, some alterations may be required to satisfy local conditions, materials availability, and owners' preferences. The complete drawing set consists of 20 pages in PDF format to scale when printed on A3 sheets, which can also be given to local builders or tradesmen for quotes.
Included with the drawings is a 3-page Excel file which contains detailed cost estimates, a well organised materials order list which can be given to major building suppliers such as Bunnings and Mitre10 for quotes, and a comprehensive list of items which need to be selected by the owner.
But before purchasing the design package a landowner needs to firstly check with their local council to find out if a small home like this is allowable on their particular plot of land, secondly, find a local carpenter/builder who is prepared to build it, and thirdly, engage a local building certifier who can guide you through the approval process. A refund on the cost of these drawings is not possible if you change your mind or don't proceed with building.