Location and Climate

1. Site

The house is set on 1 1/4 acres of revegetating farmland. A dam and other water features provide wildlife habitat, as does the regenerating rainforest, where nearly 200 trees have been planted. The block is south facing with a slope of 1 in 6. The property is in a subdivision which has water reticulation but is not sewered. The property is in a subdivision which has water reticulation but is not sewered.

2. Climate

The subtropical coastal regions of Queensland enjoy a mild climate. Residential buildings can be constructed so that almost no additional heating or cooling energy need be used to maintain year round thermal comfort for their occupants.

Long term climate data from nearby Nambour is typical of the region.

External design temperatures 5°C to 35°C.
Internal design conditions were based on thermal neutrality between 21°C and 27°C.
Average humidity in summer is about 70%.
Prevailing winds in summer are from the south east with afternoon sea breezes from the north around to the east.

The average annual rainfall for nearby Caloundra is 1575 mm.
The closest solar radiation data comes from Brisbane airport. The average daily horizontal irradiation is 17.8 MJ/m2.