Small footprint, solar passive beach house in Goolwa

This small footprint, low budget, owner-built sustainable beach house in Goolwa, South Australia is an excellent case study in accessible sustainable design. Building designer Rogier Voorhoeve owner-built the home with his 21-year-old son, using recycled materials and incorporating a range of sustainable design features on a modest budget of just $260,000 (AUD)

The home features a simple, modern, Scandinavian aesthetic that embodies Rogier’s philosophy that a modest sized home with passive solar design and a strong connection to the garden is the key to living well. The L-shaped layout allows the feeling that the gardens are wrapped around the house.

The high thermal mass waffle pod concrete floors and cavity brick wall enables the house to passively heat and cool itself, maintaining a comfortable temperature year round.

It was important to Rogier to use mainly local suppliers and to adhere to sustainable design principles including orientation, materials and minimising construction waste. The result is a remarkable abode that combines modern comfort with eco-friendly design and a stunning example of sustainable living using energy-efficient design, recycled materials, and smart water management.

“During construction we took great care in the waste control. We ordered the exact amount of materials needed for the job. We separated landfill waste from the materials that could be recycled like gyprock, bricks, timber off-cuts, wrapping plastic etc. By this the total landfill waste was limited to a minimum.” – Rogier (designer + owner)