for a house to become an eco-artwork...
A transformed house
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house exterior to be repainted white (completely remove lead-based paint safely first) as statement of its resilience and immigrant status
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the name above the front door to presage writings on walls inside
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a decorative interior focus on the relationship with plants and animals
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intermittent soundscapes of water use live from the underground tank available for elaboration by different composers to be heard in the house
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writings on the walls as eco-proverbs (a bird in the bush is worth two in the hand)
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Remnants of the building transformed to become art objects through house
A radical garden
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House and garden as a ‘pop-up book’ using lines of stone walls across the hill to retain water. All stone used to be local slate
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an immigrant water soundscape (culvert songs from mas cabardes) running down the hill
to lift the spirit in times of drought
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long table in centre of dry garden, set with earth /paperbark ‘tablecloth’, solar lighting
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solar fairy lights for fruit-trees to deter possums
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a series of rectangular metal frames on wheels with different fabric covers to shade plants, enable frost, possum, bird protection, provide changing sculptural shapes
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a mechanical moving scarecrow (female).
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a series of possum/bird box motels
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stone courtyard to also become bathhouse (making a bath possible but a very conscious choice of water use
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solar panels as plants whose leaves move to follow the sun - for the meadow
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a fountain-as-artwork for the magpies and a water-tower sculpture
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writings on placards as eco-proverbs (a bird in the bush is worth two in the hand)
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vegetables, flowers to be encouraged to self-sow to increase local provenance
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use saltbush extensively as cloud hedging on saline soil
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work with local gardener and soil expert martin wynne on soil improvement using fungus and bacteria and on carbon-fixing
The new efficiency but with a heritage building and in a drying climate
rule 1: nothing leaves the property / re-use of materials where possible
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soil from creation of underground tank and wetland used as banks (these also capture water)
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timbers found on-site re-used for repairs, broken furniture found on site mended and re-used
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organic waste composted or mulched
rule 2: water is to be treasured
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80,000-litre underground tank as a closed loop between all roofs on the property and kitchen tank
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totally organic garden zoned for water requirements, with drip irrigation, heavy mulching and compost made on-site
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a wetland across the bottom of the meadow to collect water
rule 3: energy use is to be contained and renewable where possible*
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solar panels on the workshop roof (currently connected to the grid)
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hot water / cooking/ hydronic heating from slow combustion stove now supported by condensing gas boiler
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wood for stove and fires largely from fallen tree limbs on property with tree planting continuing
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extensive draft-proofing throughout, including of fireplaces, between floorboards
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window and door coverings
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strategic deciduous tree and vine planting to north and west (red oaks and ornamental grapes) for summer shade, winter sun
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energy efficient electrical equipment