Electrical Design

The electrical design could not be simpler. All light / fan / power switches and wiring are mounted in a common rectangular aluminium duct, with drop in covers, raised 1100mm above floor level onto the side walls. The design calls for 2 light and 4 power circuits, namely... a light and power circuit down each side of the pods/ house via the duct; an extra power circuit in the kitchen and an extra power circuit for external power points downstairs. This means if any power or light circuit fails you need only walk to the other side of the any room to access a live circuit. Separate channels in the duct allow for electrical / telecommunications / data cabling and low voltage wiring for a back-up battery driven emergency 12V LED lighting system. One light and one power circuit can be manually switched to a petrol inverter generator if required. The inverter generator also can be used as back-up power for our SkyMuster satellite array that provides both internet , streaming and worldwide telecommunications. All lights and fans are bolted on steel “C” section or 250U beam steel frame members rather than on the panels to facilitate easy future repair or replacement. Identical fixtures make for easy repair and minimal spares for example, lighting consists of 34 identical powder coated aluminium PAR38 E27 IP44 lights with ceramic sockets which can host a wide variety of bulbs including LED and CFL either internally or externally. In high humidity corrosion and electrolysis could be an issue so... sockets and bulb ends are sprayed with a conductive / waterproof coating used in the computer industry. Balconies have alternative red lighting, a colour that neither disturbs nocturnal wildlife nor attracts insects.

Air Flow and Humidity Control

Air flow and humidity control are essential for comfortable living in the tropics. The local micro-climate, generally beautiful, is subject to occasional rapid changes in temperature and humidity due to altitude with rolling fronts of fog, low cloud and mist. Our passive design works very well and when we need them four back-draft louvered exhaust fans and three ceiling fans to optimise air flow, temperature distribution and humidity control.... no air conditioning is necessary. Interior air flow is further enhanced by a venturi effect through large different size adjustable openings at each end and the use of very high ceilings throughout. The louvered exhaust fans seal any external opening when off. The building is so well sealed that with the windows closed and an exhaust fan on, negative pressure is created with the house - when first lighting the wood stove it is advisable to either turn off the fan or crack open a window to prevent the initial start-up smoke from being drawn into the room. After a minute or two the fire is established and smoke will go up the flue regardless of whether an exhaust fan is on or off. People with 10 star homes should be aware of this quirk!

There are no openings at all on the sun and weather prone east and west walls. If we find we need more light in the future, the SIP's design permits us to cut and install windows / skylights, on roof or walls, basically wherever we desire.

Window Design

Small clerestory northerly facing awning windows work with a high level exhaust fan to bleed any heat from the highest interior point in the structure and provide maximum cool interior light. At the low southerly end large rainforest canopy facing clerestory awning windows use the white roof of the rear utility balcony as a light shelf to reflect cool midday light off the white interior ceiling. The size differential of the clerestory windows at opposing ends facilitates passive airflow. Five very large identical stacker doors provide lots of light and lots of natural ventilation. Awning windows are used in preference to louvres. Awning windows have an ability to direct air flow but they are more robust in a cyclone, can be securely locked, are easier to clean, easier to screen, more water tight, less prone to spiders and can be left partially open even in driving rain.

The 5 identical three pane sliding stacker doors (2.7m X 2.2m each) were chosen in preference to two pane sliding patio doors for three reasons:

1. A safety reason - the smaller glass panels and additional heavy frames are more robust in a cyclone and...

2. A comfort reason - three panels affords a larger total opening hence greater air flow - when fully open (about 30sqm) the studio becomes integral to the landscape

3. An aesthetic reason -the smaller panes subdivide the overwhelming panoramic World Heritage Rainforest views into a series of comprehensible individual vignettes