"Master Builders Housing & Construction Awards 2006 - Excellence in Building for Queensland's Climate"

Excellence in Environmental Design for the Queensland Climate by the Master Builders Association at the annual Master Builders Housing & Construction Awards for 2004 .

There were hundreds of entries for this year's awards, and up to a third higher than average for the Sunshine Coast region, so it was a particularly pleasing result for Rammed Earth Constructions to receive this award.
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Noosa 2004 Glossies Winner: Excellence in Sustainable Design - Residential Rammed earth home in Doonan.
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Noosa 2006 Glossies Winner: Outstanding Practitioner" In recognition of his dedication to, and professionalism in, sustainable building practices."

This was a special award, created by the Glossies Award Co-ordinator in response to the feedback received from John's clients and subcontractors when she was researching the Noosa Glossies 2006 winning home that John built in Doonan. See the award!

Noosa 2006 Glossies Winner: Excellence in Sustainable Design - Residential Rammed earth home in Doonan. See the award!

Our entry was for a 2 storey home designed on modern lines, constructed on acreage at Doonan, near Noosa. The project made creative use of rammed earth, corrugated iron and fibre cement sheeting. The rammed earth provides thermal mass in the home, and the colour and texture of the earth complement the sharper lines of corrugated iron and fibre cement sheeting used in the upper storey.

The materials used were chosen for their environmental sustainability and to suit a country/coastal lifestyle - eg the polished concrete floors keep cool in the heat of summer, can cope with feet wet from the pool, and are easily swept clean of sand, dog paw prints, etc. Polished covergrade timber flooring in other areas accentuate the natural, relaxed feeling of the home. The rammed earth is an excellent temperature (and noise) regulator, and very low maintenance. Being fire and pest proof, it is ideal in bushy settings such as this.

The building is essentially a U shape, which incorporates a central outdoor living area and lap pool as the heart of the home. Partially roofed in clear polycarbonate sheeting, the space remains useable throughout the year.

Within the building itself, windows, louvers and doors are positioned to provide plenty of cross flow ventilation in summer. In winter, the indoor living room contains a fireplace built into a rammed earth recess, providing a cozy retreat. The 300mm thick rammed earth walls keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter by slowing heat penetration. The result is that the internal temperature of the home remains fairly stable, and is not subject to the fluctuations in temperature common in homes built using lightweight walls.

Guest quarters form one arm of the U, and are linked to the main part of the house via the dining room, kitchen and central courtyard areas. An
artist's studio has been included in the upper storey. The owners fully utilize every room in this house - there are no 'formal', little-used dining or living areas.

The house was designed and built with an eye to environmental impact. By paying attention to the contours of the land, the construction process
required minimal excavation work. Cabinetry was designed by local craftsman from recycled materials, and the builder was careful to re-use
leftover materials whenever possible - for instance using the rafter offcuts for staircase treads. The residence collects its own water via rainwater tanks, heats it via a solar hot water system and deals with wastewater via an Envirotech sand filter system. Physical barriers, rather than poisons, have been used for protection from termites. Of course, the features mentioned above - the natural materials, the design for natural ventilation, heating and cooling - also illustrate this environmental consideration.