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4E321A155AA8%7D&DE=%7B9018D562 ‐D241‐4749‐B795‐C92B8FF6322E%7D (Date accessed: 23 March 2010) 3 Knight, Robert N. (2009), Living Green: Green Buildings, World Book, Mexico
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has a different textured look and most people find this appealing as it is different to typical walls and has a warming
effect. The only disadvantage of using this plaster is that it scratches easily and shades may vary from batch to
batch.
Floors, windows and lighting
Reclaimed hardwood floors have been chosen. This material helps save the environment as the wood comes from
old buildings that have usually been knocked down, this reduces deforestation.
Windows contribute a great deal to the lighting and air flow in a home. In designing the home, consideration was
given to where the windows were placed and which direction they faced so they wouldn’t get all the afternoon hot
summer sun. As the front of the home faces north, the majority of the windows have been placed on the north and
south sides of the house. The bedrooms face east so they get the morning sun but don’t heat up in time for when
people go to bed. The main clerestory windows are also placed on the east and the south, with the garage
clerestory window facing west so the majority of the time it is not necessary to turn on lights in the garage. Double-
paned windows have been selected. They have two panels of glass with krypton or argon gas in-between to
improve insulation. During winter the outside panel gets cold, but the inside panel stays the same temperature as
inside the home.
The house will be lit with fluorescent light bulbs and LED (light-emitting diode) lights. Both of these use
considerably less energy and last up to a hundred times longer than conventional bulbs.
Energy sources and heating and cooling
The home will be powered by solar energy with panels facing west located on the angled roof. Solar power is
created by a device which is called a solar cell. One of these cells captures the light from the sun which creates an
electrical current. These solar cells are combined to form a solar panel which has a large surface area and
therefore can capture a great deal of sunlight, turning this into electricity. There will be enough solar panels to
power the house and also feed some energy back into the electrical grid for a rebate will be received.
Although the house will be well insulated from the walls, roofing and windows, heating and cooling will still be
necessary. The decision has been made to place ceiling fans in every living space to improve air circulation. In
summer, the clerestory windows will also help with this. In winter the house will be heated by using wood heaters
and underfloor heating.
Water wise
An underground water tank in the back garden, between the living space and the garage has been included. This
water tank will store rainwater runoff4. After the water is filtered the tank will supply water to the laundry, toilet and
garden. The house will also have water-wise tap ware, toilets and shower heads to reduce water wastage.
From the research conducted and the materials and design principles used, an eco-friendly house has been
developed that not only meets the demands of a modern family but also allows them to live sustainably at a timewhen environmental concerns are becoming more important, both to individuals and the wider community.
(Word Count, including words from annotated photographs of model 1425)
4 Underground Water Tanks [On‐line], (2010), http://www.enviro‐friendly.com/underground‐water‐tanks. (Date accessed: 29 March 2010)
On balance the research outcome is indicative of an A– standard.
Synthesis
• All photographs of the model indicate that it is carefully and precisely constructed. Ithas many design features, the ideas for which have been drawn from the researchand combined to create this original product.
• The key findings and ideas about the building structure and walls selected are
backed up by a combination of thoughtful reasons drawn from the research. The
written substantiation provides evidence of the way most of the key findings about
each component of the design have been drawn from the research.
• The key findings have been expressed in a clear and fluent manner throughout.
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