New Online shop

I have set up a online shop. I selling ECOtankas which are a eco designed stainless steel water bottles ideal for tradies and for the tradies dog I have dog accessories by Surf Dog Australia. Once you have completed your build its time for a break you can also book a holiday online, on the Tube web site as well.. www.tubedesignstudio.com

Coastal Design Brief for the Augusta Project.

The Augusta Project in Brief.

The client had two basic concepts for our award winning Building Designer, Rob Skipworth, to work from. Firstly the building had to be energy efficient and as self sufficient as possible in regards water and power usage. The other major design consideration was to take advantage of the extensive views over the ocean to the east and inlet to the North.

Juggling the requirement of expansive glazing with excellent energy efficiency necessitated the use of some smart design and materials. Cantilevered balcony slabs, with no interrupting columns, opened up the view from the living areas.

Environmental credentials of the house are boosted by the installation of 3.3kw solar power system, two large water tanks and an ATU waste treatment system. All cavity brickwork has ‘Aircell’ cavity insulation. Proving that being environmental doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort, the living areas have in-slab heating using water from the hot water system heat pumps, powered by the roof top solar cells.

A finished house in the South West by Eco Designer Homes

South West Eco Friendly Home

This client had two basic concepts for our award winning Building Designer, Rob Skipworth, to work from.

Firstly the building had to be energy efficient and as self sufficient as possible in regards water and power usage. The other major design consideration was to take advantage of the extensive views over the ocean to the east and inlet to the North.

For more info on Eco Designer Homes click here

Owner Buiders Information on how to choose a Building Designer

The Types Of Construction An Awarded Building Designer Can Offer The Owner Builder: 

Before you the Owner Builder employs a professional Building Designer you will need to know if they are able to construct your development, not only the type of construction and finish you require but in the area you wish to build. An award winning designer building will able to offer you access to build in the City, outer Metro, Major City’s and Towns, Regional areas through out the State, South West and the North West regions.
They will be able to offer you various types of construction ranging from; Double brick and tile, Light weight framed construction, Eco friendly construction, Rammed earth, Mud Brick, Cyclonic construction, Solar construction, Pole home construction, Straw Bale construction, Tilt Up construction, Commercial and industrial construction and Remote housing construction.

Contour Feature Survey for Owner Builders

Owner Builders need to start with a Feature Survey just like any other builder.

The building designer that you select to design your new home or building project will conduct a feature contour survey and detail study of you site. With this detail they will be able to provide a study and investigation of your site and will be able to tell you what kind of development will best suit your site. From this report you will be able to judge the efficiency and reliability of the designer to further assist your development proposal.
A feature survey should include the following and can be ordered by yourself
Street and Verge condition ie existing cracks to the Kerbs and foot paths. (just in case of any issues with the council once you have finished your project)
All Levels.
All Easements
All existing structures.
Adjoining structures and levels.
Location of services ie water, gas, telstra, power, sewer, and storm water.
North Point.
Any other features that are on your site.

All of this needs to be done by a Licenced Surveyor.
And once this is completed you can start your design process of a Eco Friendly Design.

Framed Housing for Owner Builders - Built for Today and the Environment

Global warming and energy efficiency seem to be on everybody’s minds lately but many people wonder with such a big problem, what can I do?
While photovoltaic power systems, rainwater tanks and grey water recycling are fantastic investments, but the most influential decisions you make will be with the design of the building and the materials you use.

Eco Friendly framed construction has emerged as a leader in the quest for economical, energy efficient homes. Long considered the poorer cousin to double brick construction, modern science and more critical investigations into construction types have vindicated framed construction.

Many comparative studies between double brick and framed homes, both overseas and throughout Australia, have proven that there is little difference between temperatures inside a house whatever the temperature outside. Importantly, framed homes are generally cooler on summer nights when you are trying to get to sleep.

It’s not only in energy efficiency that framed construction can have an advantage over the old way of building. With the trend towards smaller lots and bigger houses, space is at a premium. Due to framed walls not having a cavity and an extra wall like double brick does, you can gain over 300mm of extra internal width in you house without making the building bigger.

More to come....