Architect Simon Anderson's own off-grid, bushfire proof and sustainable home — IN PROCESS

Filmed between architect Simon Anderson's Surry Hills studio and Blue Mountains home.

Simon Anderson, in collaboration with his studio 'Anderson Architecture', have a focus on realising sustainable residential projects. He designs homes that are contemporary and liveable, without sacrificing one for the other.

Off Grid House

Situated within the 'flame zone', the Off Grid House conforms to the highest fireproof standards that can be applied to building design and materials. The 'timber' cladding and decking are made of fireproof low-carbon fibre cement board, while metal shutters can be opened and closed as needed to stop ember attack.

For Simon though, this was only the start of what he wanted to explore for his home. The result is a building that was net zero carbon to build, net zero carbon to run, self-cooling and heating through passive solar design, and runs without any form of external water or power.

IN PROCESS is an ongoing series exploring the approach of creatives, designers and artists. With no fixed format, each films looks to explore aspects of each person's practice.

[imianco]

this is epic project! thank you for sharing!! i am so inspired!!

[maritokar]

Lovely💫Combination of natural materials and views.

[RekimNZ]

Looks just stunning, that's like heaven for me (and I'm sure others that find you)... can you please share with us the off grid information, Solar, Water, Waste (water catchment and how this was incorporated into the design) as would love to see that.

[judegraham]

Hi .. such a beautiful beautiful location is Australia. Never get tired of seeing those wonderful ghost gums. If I can ask a question. I am currently planning on renovating my old, most thermally inefficient home that is freezing cold in winter, and stinking hot in summer. the roof leaks like a sieve, being made up of a fifties concrete tiled 22.5 pitch, 'U' shape plan, with a clip-Lok section in the middle of that 'U' shape, and another Klip-lok extension along the 10m width of the house at the back. No insulation to speak of in this house. I suspect that it wouldn't make a difference if there was, it leaks so much. I could go on but I think you get my point. I NEED to put on a new roof. So I'm planning on plonking on a gable for its beautifully symmetrical presence, with corrugated sheeting, that will give some weight to this ramshackle old rectangular box (once the texture and colour of the surfaces have been added, it should look proud and strong). So the east end of the gable will have windows looking out to a bush reserve, and at the west side there will be a bay window, allowing a cross breeze through the loft space, ventilating the whole house. I hope to get away with an open vaulted ceiling throughout the house by having an intermediate beam running the full 14m length, on either side, positioned about 2/3's of the way up either side of the roof. That means they will sit 2 metres down from the ridge board. So the rafters will span 6.1m, supported on one side by the external wall, then by the 'intermediate beams' about 4.0m up, then 'Counterlevering'' over the intermediate beams to tie onto the 'Ridge Board', meeting up with its opposite rafter, which I hope will act in a similar way to that of a 'Key Stone', transferring the load back down through the beams and external wall. (I'll need to seek out an engineer). Now I get to my question, if you've managed to bare with me, I wouldn't blame you if you didn't, as I waffle on. If I was to choose any colour to go with the aesthetics of the building (charred cedar boarding at both ends of the gable), well then it would be a deep dark charcoal grey, matt finish, corrugated Colorbond sheeting. Now I noticed your roof isn't a light / white coloured finish but rather a dark finish. Why did you not go for a light colour to reflect the heat. Love your place. I mean, the idea of it. Thanks for sparking so many idea's.

[MrGgraham]

amazing location, would like to see more of this, how do you achieve you 7/10 fire rating. best build i've seen in a long time. why don't city builds look like this also!!!

[davenett]

Hi Simon. I am a Helicopter firefighting pilot for 30 years plus.
First great house But why put firewood under your Deck? That will light up and no chance for house. Store away from your lovely house.
Cheers Dave

[jeanpaulfelix]

Please forgive me. I am not trying to be rude. Its a beautiful work. I suspect it cost a 5 to 10 thousand a square meter yes? So how is this limiting carbon footprint in any way? This is the problem. A lot of flowery talk of sustainability yet their footprints are twice the average house or more. Beautifully detailed yes. Sustainable? Not a chance .

[jeanpaulfelix]

Architects own house means you are looking at his masterpiece.

[JosephKobier]

Nice! May I inquire about the build cost...?

[mbee]

push it down to "afordable" and this project will fly

[soniawoolley]

Whats the name of the cladding to the RHS of the front door please ?

[nataliewiller]

can you tell me what the name of the stove is? thank you

[letsgetreal-dfpu]

You want net zero or you want fire proof Products!

[danahawkeye]

I may be stating the obvious, but Your home is cladded in wood, you have masses of wooden furniture, your home has many wooden features and the Eucalyptus trees are too near your home. Apart from that, your home is beautiful, its just not fireproof. Just as an idea, Californians plant Cacti near their homes. They reckon it helps to stop the spread of bushfire near them.

[GraemeChapman-dz]

Storing firewood under a timber deck clearly isn’t wise in a bushfire prone environment.

[sashamoore]

I imagine snakes and scorpions, spiders and kangaroos coming into his house all the time! 😂