Best eco swimming pool in the world

The modest swimming pool at the ecohouse has just won gold in the international swimming pool awards in Las Vegas for pool builder and designer, Stuart Bevan, of Stuart Bevan Pools Pty Ltd. He was awarded the top prize for Residential Pools - Green Applications from GAVA (Global Arkitecture Visionary Awards).
The plunge pool is minimal in size due to site constraints (riparian zone at river bank and narrow block) and environmental considerations. It uses an efficient pump/filter system. With galvanised reinforcing and a thicker than normal concrete shell using recycled additives of fly ash and reactive magnesium, the pool is built for durability. It is finished internally with a pebble coating of local stone (minimal transport costs) which is long-lasting and easy to clean. At night, the pool is lit with locally-made LED lights.

The 15,000L (approx) pool is filled and topped up with rainwater and a flexible and moveable outlet hose allows flexible distribution of waste water over the garden area.

Home sweet home

The new residents are settling into the house, adjusting to the change from a grand old Queensland to a sleek new home, and finding places for their belongings. Some technology glitches are being ironed out but the garden has been well watered with all the recent rain, the tanks are full and the owners are enjoying their new space.

The front garden's strawberries which fruited at completion of construction are fruiting again, much to the delight of the local bush turkeys and the owners' son.
The water tank beneath the courtyard is full and ready to be used on the garden and pool when the weather dries up.Mint and native violets are filling up between the pavers outside the Laundry and Kitchen.The pool is enjoyed for a dip after kayaking on the river.

BPN Sustainability Awards

Emma Scragg was fortunate to be able to attend the BPN Sustainability Awards and received the award for "Single Dwelling - New" on behalf of Riddel Architecture. This is really an award for all those responsible for achieving such a thoroughly sustainable building - the dedicated building team, Robert Peagram Builders, our unwavering clients, the Riddel Architecture team (most staff helped out at some point over the 5 years) and all the consultants and suppliers that helped complete the picture.

Thank you to everyone involved.Emma receiving award from sponsor Daniel Strebel from Geberit

Publication update

The Ecohouse has been published yet again – this time in Ukraine and India. The count is up to 43 publications (plus the TV segment) and 19 countries!! We’ve pinpointed on the world map all the countries who have featured the house. Hopefully this is a sign of design for greener homes globally.

A state award for the building team!

Last Friday (1st October), Robert Peagram Builders were awarded the Sustainable Living Award at the Master Builders' State Housing and Construction Awards. This was following winning the Brisbane award for the same category. "Can you see my cumerbund?" was the question that caused the laughter below - L-R Emma Scragg (Project Architect), Alison Orr (Project Manager), Rob Peagram, Miki Hall (Project Manager)
The house is a finalist in the BPN Sustainability Awards and the Banksia Awards, to be announced in Sydney next week.

Taps and another prize

Here is a nice shot illustrating the water systems of the ecohouse - lots of choice depending on availability.Photo - Gilbert Louttit

A prize!
The house has just been awarded the Intergrain Timber Vision Award for the Residential Interior Category 2010.

5 minutes of fame on TV

The house was featured last week on Better Homes and Gardens, on Channel 7 in Australia. See if you can have a look, if you missed it - Better Homes and Garden. 16th July, Series 16, Episode 24

Master Builders' - Sustainable Living Award !

On Friday night, Rob Peagram Builders (and the ecohouse) was awarded the 2010 Queensland Master Builders' Housing & Construction - Sustainable Living Award.