The "Huon Box" maximises natural cooling, heating, and lighting. The built structure incorporates the following:
• Large eaves
• Two skins to the building shell to help with thermal control against heat and cold.
• Controlled cross ventilation.
The built structure incorporates large eaves to provide shading in summer and allow sun penetration in winter—controlled cross ventilation to add cooling and comfort control.
There are two skins to the building’s facade and the first being steel, which heats up and cools down quicker due to the thinness of the material. This allows the internal skin not to take the heat load and keeps the internal space at a comfortable temperature. Recycled timber, plywood panels, steel and glass, were the other main materials employed.
Minimizing the living area footprint of the building to 38 m2 and the amount of materials used in construction. Minimising the disturbance to the ground plane and creating as minimal impact as possible.
Passive and photovoltaic solar energy is another key sustainable feature: The latter, in the form of a 5.0 kW grid connection, would be upgraded to 7.0 kW. Insulation in the walls, ceilings, eaves and floor structure is over R5.
Under the structure is a series of “aqua-comb” modular water pod storage system that harvests 30,000 litres of water for reuse in and around the home. Working with the water harvesting system is a grey water system located under the house and within short distances from its collection points and use.