Sustainable House Day – Crawchie's Cottage Tour

About Sustainable House Day – Crawchie's Cottage Tour

For many years our family has been on a journey to produce our own nourishing food and reclaim a connection with our source. After saving and working towards our dream for over a decade, we took a leap of faith and purchased just over an acre of land to pursue this ideal.

We have worked together to establish a small sustainable urban farm that utilises many permaculture principles. One thing that we have found most rewarding is the development of modular housing to be part of supporting the ageing process in the family. We are trying to achieve an independence & wellbeing outcome when it comes to health & ageing that is within reach financially.

Sustainable Living, nourishing each other & supporting all ages is at the core of what inspires us - Be Kind, Use less & Have Fun !

Small footprint modular home details:

We were in a position that required a quick build turnaround time. This was due to the limited aged care support options available to us as a result of an unforeseen change in my parents health circumstances. We were on a steep block with somewhat difficult access, so an offsite modular build was the way to go.

We designed the floor plan from scratch - by using a combination raked ceilings, efficient storage, positioning on a hill and designing the living areas around a central, internal deck we were able to make the most of small footprint living.

We were lucky enough to have an accommodating builder that was willing to work with us to make a 70 square metre enclosed living space seem quite spacious (due to Development Approval requirements associated with the build).

Some key points:

True sustainable feature is that our elders play an active role in the family and are involved in our children's lives - studies have shown this prolongs life & wellbeing
- Numerous disabled / aged access & safety features
- A system of care has been established through Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)
- Sustainable features include:
- Water wise - 100% recycled waste water
- Bore & rainwater collection
- Shared solar panels & inverter for both dwellings
- Shared materials – tools, electronic equipment, cooking appliances
- Sheep mow paddock :-)
- North facing
- Insulation
- Airconditioning unnecessary due to aspect
- Small footprint - less than 70 m2 under roof due to approval requirements - designed to bring outside in with outdoor room. Feels spacious due to design - wrapped around deck & raked ceilings
- Shared utility costs (rates and water due to sizing and approval outcome)

Our small suburban farm includes rotational Dorpa paddocks, a ¼ acre food forest with around 50 tropical and tropical sub species, an active chicken system in the food forest, veggie patches, ground and rainwater systems and solar systems (we're also connected to town water). We have over 50 KL of above ground water storage, geese, a cat (for mice), a dog (to alert for foxes) and two growing boys.

All of this has been achieved on a limited budget, needless to say the hard work and sweat equity put in by all of us has been a rewarding and at times challenging process, however we have been fortunate enough to have made some close connections with like minded people along the way - we would love to share our story through the Sustainable House Open Day !

For more information, go to: https://sustainablehouseday.com/house-profile-view/?house_id=45857

PLEASE NOTE:

- Children Under 12yrs are free and do not require a ticket.