Almost there...

And we're back...

Almost done, just floorboards, lighting and deck to finalise, moving in Xmas Eve.

Some of the features shown below:

- Hoop Pine Ply in Living Room Ceiling and Bedroom Wall

-Fossil Nero marble

-Haiku Caramel Bamboo Fan and Black Aerotron Fan



Internal Walls

After electrical and data cabling, Knauf Earthwool went in : R2.0 for walls, 14kg/cubic metre acoustic insulation around laundry and bathroom.

R6.0 (!) was required in the ceiling to satisfy the EnergyRate software that we were offseting our extensive glazing and meeting the 6 star rating. The software under-rates our argon spaced double-glazed, passive solar design, and anything above R4.0 is overkill, but regulations are regulations.

Plastering is underway.

Passive Solar Design / Glazing

The first drawing shows for our location of Coburg and a wall height of 3.9m, an eave of 1.1m gives us optimal winter heat gain (winter solstice line) / summer protection (summer solstice line).

The second drawing shows the extent of northern sun facing double-glazed doors and windows.

Unlike most Grand Designs builds, our double-glazing was delivered ontime soon after order. Next step was protecting the timber inside and out with a low VOC, anti-UV tint.

 

After a lot of inconclusive research, our master builder contacted a well known pioneer of sustainable architecture who recommended Quantum timber treatments. Quantum is a Melbourne based company and produces a wide range of low VOC treatments which are readily available. I will be able to post better photos once the scaffolding is gone.
 

Roof Framing

We bumped into most of our close neighbours over the weekend and the roof framing has certainly made an impression.

 

The room height is even taller than we envisaged and is a big surprise for the neighbours who have the old 2 metre tall lean-to as their previous reference point. To put it in context, it is still 4 metres lower than the apex of one immediate neighbours double storey pitched roof.

 

From our point of view, we have already made the adjustment and will love the extraordinary light and views onto the sky and weather it will provide.

Builder, Architect and Client Meeting

Wall Framing

Framing is the most exciting stage in a build - it reveals the space and natural light of the design.

While we will be gaining interior space, light, warmth and comfort, there is no escaping the extension has swallowed a large portion of our back yard. With 20 fruit trees in pots, the challenge will be to re-settle them harmoniously in the space available.

 

Goodbye backyard, hello extension!

 



Northern edge with winter light entering "The Cube"

Extension Subfloor and Under-deck Tanks

The Melro Under-deck Tanks are placed after stump holes dug but before stumps put in.

I decided against bladder tanks due to small risk of punctures/faults and reports that rodents will eat through for water during drought conditions.

 



Excavation for Tanks

Melro Under-deck Tanks placed





Extension/Deck Subfloor with infamous Coburg clay splatterings 

Demolition

We signed up for a renovation and seem to be getting a re-build!

Window Removal and Timber Salvage

Removed and sold Windows on Gumtree. 

Met my first online scammer in the process, Gumtree is full of them, seller and buyer beware!

 

Unfortunately all our Baltic Pine was rendered unusable during demolition - very disappointing.

To balance this out a little, we uncovered a beautiful piece of Oregon in the roof.

Despite failing woodwork (!) , I am enthusiastic about converting the now dressed Oregon beam into a much bigger version of the nice Oregon bench shown. Stay tuned...



Bonus Oregon in Old Roof

Dressed Oregon + other Salvage







A small version of what I hope to replicate

Original Home