Design Features

Internal Environment Design Features

• solid SIPs walls / roof with high levels of insulation and flat smooth surfaces for air flow, if more windows required they can be placed just about anywhere

• double glazed windows to eliminate condensation - passively maintains a comfortable internal temperature

• the SIPs insulation provides external sound dampening of the impact of torrential rain

• very high ceilings and open flexible space deign using relocatable roll down walls to quickly reconfigure the layout as mood and circumstances dictate

• very large large differential window openings to facilitate airflow, internal light and panoramic views

• high level exhaust fans and clerestory awning windows to draw off heat

• large ceiling fans

• white interior paint to maximise interior light levels, rear balcony roof acts as light shelf to reflect cool late afternoon light into interior

• dehumidification via wood stove or small commercial dehumidifier

• chain driven awning windows can remain open in the rain, more secure in cyclonic conditions

• sustainable hardwood floors and site derived rainforest timber feature wall panelling to contrast and soften the “industrial” look and to dampen reflected internal sound

• it is highly recommended that you obtain a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher which will put the fire out and cool the SIP's panel at the same time, having said that the SIP's panels are very unlikely to be the source of a fire

Low Maintenance Design Features

• all electrical wiring easily accessible via surface mounted rectangular duct with drop in lid – all light, fans and power outlets mounted in duct and new outlets easily added

• all utilities (water, electricity, gas, plumbing) concentrated in one corner of structure both upstairs and down stairs, so minimal runs and all features are visible and accessible

• electrical fittings identical - light fixtures, light globes, fans, switches, outlets – so minimum of spares required

• identical plumbing fittings require minimal spares

• only three colours of paint required Colourbond “Surfmist” white, Colourbond "Windspray" grey and blue

• all interior spaces are washable (using a mop) and user accessible using (at most) a step ladder and an extendible pole

Self-cleaning Features

• all internal walls, wiring and fixtures can be reached with a step ladder

• painted steel walls can be washed with a mop on an extendible pole

• exterior walls and balconies have an overhang to prevent dribble growth

• roof is easily accessible with a step ladder and walls can be washed down from above with a garden hose

• balcony overhang incorporates a “drip groove”

• no moisture absorbing or dust emitting materials make cleaning easy

• easy clean open plan tiled bathroom

• there are no hollow spaces for corrosion, mould, fungus, snakes, termites ...

Cyclone Readiness Design Features

• massive simple visible internal steel frame with cross bracing

• interlocking SIPs panels screwed directly into massive steel frame

• simple smooth roof and wall design

• two seriously strong “pods” with steel reinforces poured concrete roofs and internal facing doors

• farm gates bolted on on balconies as a “Cyclone Shield” to stop flying debris, disrupt air flow, act as additional cross bracing and for vibration dampening

• double glazed, inset chain open rain-friendly awning windows, double glazed 3 pane “stacker” sliding doors with massive frames

• windowless major side walls

• balcony “triangles to disrupt laminar airflow and minimise “vacuum effect”

• strategic water tank placement - as cyclone barrier and to provide vehicle protection

• back-up 12V battery LED lighting

• energy redundancy - mains, generator, wood stove with hot water tank, unleaded petrol stove, kerosene light and stove, propane hot water and stove, multi-stage and submersible pump, gravity feed water

• manual switch to generator from mains power board supplies one light and one power circuit to house

• independent communications - satellite internet and phone that can be run off mains power or an inverter generator

Care of Wildlife Design Features

• raised 3m above ground level to minimise disruption at forest floor level

• clear open passage under house and clear passage via perimeter paths

• external lighting shut off during the night

• inset windows / anti-strike owl profiles to eliminate bird strikes

• red lighting on balconies facilitates wildlife viewing without distruption

• food scraps are randomly distributed in rainforest to a number of locations to prevent dependence a minimum of 50m from house

• no food scraps are stored in the house or environs

• no hollows in house means no uninvited wild guests

• a number of small constructed animal / bird shelters constructed from construction offcuts and placed in surrounding jungle

• ative food plants derived from cassowary scats have been placed in surrounding bush to compensate for habitat lost by construction

• we do not feed the wildlife, we do plant suitable food plants to improve the biodiversity and integrity of the rainforest

Energy Saving Design Features

• generator friendly multi-stage water pump with 80L pressure tank means the pump only comes on a couple of times a day

• wood stove with hot water tank used for bulk hot water such as laundry, also handy for baking and slow cooking

• wood for stove sourced from windfall and rainforest restoration projects on site

LED and CFL lighting

• no air conditioning – high level windows bleed out most hot air and high level exhaust fans will do the same in 5 minutes or so, ceiling fans are rarely used for cooling but come in handy in cold weather to distribute the heat from the wood stove

• passive flow through ventilation by changing window aperture sizes at each end of the household, you can get quite a flow by creating a pressure differential

• good insulation means we can trap and keep air at a comfortable temperature simply by opening and closing doors and windows as required

• easily accessible switches via the wall mounted duct means it is easy to switch off stand-by power items

• electrical timer set for 1/2 hour / day for items requiring charging CB radios, LED wildlife spotlight, telephone, battery re-charger, items are removed when back to full charge

• white paint inside and outside reflects surrounding light and raises ambient light levels, also more effective use of interior light patterns

• carbon offset of 1.2million plants / approximately 24, 000 tonnes of carbon and increasing each year as the rainforest becomes healthier

Vermin proofing

• the SIPs design means that all joins are tight and vermin proof

• while we have undertaken termite proofing - there is nothing to attract termites

• being raised 3m off the ground makes it easy to inspect any means of access

• solid walls provide tight joints and no livings spaces for vermin - so no ants, snakes, rodents

• the design provides no external hollows for possums, birds, wasps, bees, snakes, reptiles

• being 3m off the ground , we are above the height of most insect activity during the day

• at night we only open screened windows, insects may be attracted by the lights but are quickly dispatched by our resident frog population

• the frogs hide during the day in frog "houses" we have placed on the balconies and have no interest in entering the home during the night as that would mean moving away from a ready food supply

Evaluation in 2021: Eight years since construction the design of Studio Nimbus has exceeded expectations. The house interior and exterior remain pristine despite being in the interior of a rainforest. The interior maintains a comfortable temperature year-round without the need for airconditioning. The multi-purpose woodstove has been handy for occasionally dehumidifying and to take off the chill on winter mornings. Since construction we have added a satellite connection and use the SkyMuster satellite for internet, streaming and telecommunication. We have replaced our old generator with an inverter generator and can have electricity and telecommunications with the world without the need for mains power however our domestic mains power supply has proved to be very reliable as time has gone by. The only thing that has needed replacing were some exterior aluminium flood ligh fixtures that have been switched for "bunker" lights.