Re-used science basins
The WestWyck development ‘sits lightly’ on the Brunswick West soil; it aims to create a ‘demonstration ecovillage’ in an urban location.
WestWyck has a mission to influence. Through provision of a demonstration model, it wants to support and facilitate the evolution of sustainability policies and practices that relate to the built form within an urban community.
WestWyck advocates living more compactly or densely but without compromising quality of living. It wants to highlight that good design doesn't compromise normal Australian values for residential living.
WestWyck is developing a residential site according to key sustainability principles of materials efficiency, energy efficiency and water efficiency. The project includes a commitment to healthy building principles, an on-site waste treatment system and artistically inspired landscaping that is designed to serve water conservation objectives.
WestWyck uses resources efficiently by reusing materials where possible and minimising sending ‘wastes’ to landfill. When new materials are being introduced they are selected according to their environmental and health impacts.
Materials harvested from the demolition of outbuildings and internal walls have either been reused within the project or, where possible, sorted and sent for further processing. The re-use of material includes timber lining boards, steel beams, bricks and even former science basins.
Reduce, reuse, recycle and stay healthy was the project ‘mantra’ of the building work.
More information about materials efficiency...
The key water challenges for WestWyck are: (i) a reduction in use of and reliance upon potable mains water and (ii) minimising the amount of discharge from site via the stormwater and sewer.
Water saving devices (flow restrictors, efficient appliances and efficient fittings) are installed and harvested roof water is used to replace as much of the mains water as possible, with this being largely used as the supply source for the hot water system.
Behavioural objectives are really important to success and a CSIRO research project based at the site found that "the two operational apartments … consume approximately 64% less water than the average of other similar style housing in the Yarra Valley Water area".
Treatment and re-application of used water further reduces reliance on mains supply. The greywater treatment plant receives bathroom and laundry water and subjects it to bacterial, membrane and UV treatment to create Class A water for reuse in toilet flushing and gardens and, subject to approval, the laundries.
Blackwater from toilets and kitchens is treated first in a worm farm, then in an evapo-transpiration bed system and then excess is pumped to sewer.
More information about water efficiency...
At WestWyck energy efficiency is designed into all dwellings. The same principle of emphasis upon 'reduction' applies. To achieve reduced consumption of energy, WestWyck includes high rating insulation, full double-glazing and energy efficient lighting and appliances.
Four of the apartments share a communal gas-boosted solar hot water system that is integrated into the hydronic heating and the new houses will generate some of their own power from a photovoltaic array.
Maximum use is made of solar orientation opportunities, natural ventilation and natural lighting.
More information about energy efficiency...
Organic waste, including human waste as well as food scraps and some garden waste, is treated on site in two 3,500-litre vermiculture pits under the car park.
The solids are processed by the worms and the liquid waste is pumped through a series of evapo-transpiration beds, where it is absorbed and processed by specially chosen plants such as woolly ti-trees and locally found grasses and river mints before any residual is pumped to sewer.
A generous concessional arrangement has been struck with Yarra Valley Water that reduces the water charge in acknowledgement of the reduced discharge quantity and the enhanced quality of the liquid.
More information about sewerage and waste treatment...
The dwellings are individually architect-designed to make maximum use of their setting and their relationship to the original school building.
(Now available - individual descriptions for each of the dwellings.)
The apartments have been cleverly created within the historic classroom spaces of the Victorian-era former school. They extend over three levels by ingenious re-engineering of the ceiling space. The design has aimed to retain the classroom 'feel' and any remnant heritage features.
The architect-designed townhouses are integrated into the historic site focussed upon the school building. Use of original oregon timber reclaimed from the school building reinforces this link.
Having north-south orientation, the townhouses maximise passive solar design opportunities with main living areas benefiting from the northern aspect for light and warmth in winter and with utility areas such as the laundry and bathroom located further to the south. Northern living areas open onto external decks which also include storage facilities.
More information about quality design...
Apartments and townhouses utilise materials and finishes which take into account ‘healthy building’ criteria.
The very contemporary joinery avoids ‘chip board’ (MDF) with its high formaldehyde content, instead using zero-emission hoop-pine plywood for both carcassing and panelling.
Non-toxic, water-based paints and finishes are used for all walls, floors and benches.
WestWyck's landscape has been created by a creative team that has included a landscape architect and a landscape artist. The theme is creative and contemporary and the design is practical and highly water-sensitive.
Each dwelling includes an individual semi-private courtyard space and access to the shared productive and recreation spaces landscaped largely with local native or productive plants.
Large rock, granitic sand and rusted steel is blended with drought-tolerant plants.
The landscape maximises use of permeable surfaces and uses sections of the landscape to transpire and evaporate unwanted treated grey and black water.
More information about landscaping...
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