Solar Passive Design Clever design orients Hillside to west-north-west, to maximise both the magnificent views to the west and to try to take some advantge of the northern sun. Placement of floor to ceiling windows on the western face orient the living areas to west-north-west, with rooms staggered to maximise northern sun penetration. Carefully calculated eave overhangs to the north and west, together with a solar pergola and other mechanical shading to the west to shade the western windows, allow winter sun penetration from the north, whilst minimising the effects of the summer sun exposure from the west. All doors and windows have been positioned to achieve cross ventilation in summer and allow cooler late afternoon and evening breezes to rid the house of any minimal heat which may have accumulated during the day. Draft excluders will be installed along the bottom edges of doors and ceiling strips will be fitted around doors and windows. The design also features high set windows to allow any hot air to be vented. The high thermal mass of the precast sandwich wall panels together with concrete floors allows for heat to be absorbed during the day in winter, and to be released into the night, maintaining a constant temerature throughout. In summer, it has the opposite effect, by direct sun not entering the house and thereby not taking on heat load.  
The double glazed toughened glass windows help prevent unwanted solar heat gain in summer and heat loss from the inside in winter. Electricity Generation To further reduce Hillside's reliance on electricity from the main power grid, ZEN 8.5kW photovoltaic solar panels (generating up to 30kWh per day) have been added to the roof. It is anticipated that these panels will generate more than enough electricity to cater for the dwelling's use. Any excess power will be returned to the main power grid. Rainwater Harvesting and Water Re-use Installation of a 95,500L rainwater tank, combined with Adelaide's average annual rainfall of 500mm per year falling on Hillside's 360 square metre roof, is anticipated to see the tank capturing 180,000L per year, thereby holding sufficient capacity throughout the year to service at least 78% of the water requirements of a family of four. 17,000L of stormwater capture will provide water for all garden irrigation. Rainwater and stormwater harvesting mean that Hillside will in fact provide 100% of its own water needs. 
Landscaping and Water Use The choice of plants for a drought tolerant garden is only one part of creating a garden whilst minimising water use. Consideration also needs to be given to where the plants have been grown and how. Often times, retailers will stock plants that are brought in from interstate. This of course means that the plants have to adjust to different climatic conditions and indeed different growing conditions. Plants coming from Victoria, for example, may be acclimatised to cooler temperatures and increased water. Typically what can happen is when you bring the plants home and put them in a low water environment, they die! Appliances, Fittings and Lighting Further energy savings are ensured by the use of an Apricus evacuated tube solar hot water system and in-slab hydronic floor heating, to maximise thermal mass benefits of the walls and floors. Energy ratings have been a major consideration in making the selection of appliances, and kitchen hotplates are of an induction variety which run on electro-magnetic radiation. Even the Actron air conditioning system is energy efficient! Due to careful design and planning, only minimal light fittings will be needed inside Hillside. The need for artificial lighting is greatly reduced by window placement which maximises solar use when required and the incorporation of a suspended vaulted ceiling in the core of the home. After dark, illumination is to be provided by low energy Halogen lighting. Energy use from lights and appliances will be minimised due to installation of Clipsal's C-Bus home control system. Sensors within the C-Bus system automatically switch off lighting and appliances when a room becomes vacant, and even open or close blinds and curtains to minimise unwanted heat transfer. And less energy consumption means a cheaper energy bill! ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Fire Safety and Wall Construction: Precast Sandwich Panels The 'Thermomass' precast concrete sandwich panel system is fire rated to four hours. Sandwich panels have been manufactured by Bianco Precast. Fire-rated Window Systems With the Western face of Hillside directly facing the natural bushland, Trend Windows' CSIRO-tested and rated Xtreme system of double glazed, toughened glass has been chosen. The windows are tested to withstand the extreme heat generated by fires of up to 40kW/m2. Gutter Guards AllClear Leafguard gutter guards will be fitted to ensure minimal build-up of debris in gutters. Made from Colorbond Steel, they will not melt. 
Sprinklers To exceed local CFS requirements, in-ground and roof fire sprinklers will be fitted. Landscaping Considerations Several methods are being used to ensure that Hillside's landscaping minimises both its need for water as well as its exposure to possible firefront danger and follows permaculture principles. To minimise the risk from fire, areas around the dwelling are cleared, with the house
being surrounded by honed concrete living spaces. A wall of trees along the
western face will serve as a wind and fire break to slow a firefront and
act as a heat absorber and ember catcher. Where possible, drought tolerant
and fire retardant plants are being selected. Fire Safety and Water Catchment A 95,500L rainwater tank, as well as a 17,000L stormwater tank and a 3m x 16m lap pool will provide ample water for local fire fighting crews. | 
