Thank you for your kind interest.
Free plans for our latest open source project are available for download here:
- Tasmanian Homestead – 3 bedroom 120 sqm countryside home
The plans are provided to you free of any copyright. Feel free to use them as you please, however consider these will need to be adjusted for your specific site: solar orientation, aspect, privacy, shading (verandah), access, site plan and structural engineering will all need to be done by an appropriately qualified person – any draftsman, a building designer or an architect.
(Please do not feel obliged to use our services for the above.)
Best wishes and don’t forget to send us photos of the finished home if you decide to build.
Common questions
- Suggested materials
Materials can be substituted per your preference. This particular build uses Unipier stumps in concrete footings, TimberLink untreated pine framing, Earthwool recycled glass insulation, Weathertex cladding, pine lining, Tas oak flooring, BlueScope zincalume roofing and subfloor enclosure, double glazed aluminium windows and Woodcraft hardwood doors. Most materials were sourced from Bunnings – ask for a quotes, don’t pay listed prices. Decks, stairs and cladding battens are rough sawn green hardwood from local sawmill. Furniture is IKEA and Early Settler. Fireplace is Esse. - Energy efficiency
This build is in cold climate and benefits from full solar exposure. Verandah (shading) at least on the northern side and over entrances will be required in warmer climates, depending on your orientation. The floor plan orientation and layout will need to be adjusted to fit your aspect, access and solar orientation.
The example house has mere 6 stars energy rating nominally (a minimum required in Tas at the time of construction) but in actuality performs far better, requiring no AC for cooling and only minimum use of AC or fireplace for heating if higher temperatures (e.g. 23, 24ºC) are desired throughout cold winter nights, when outdoor temperatures fall to 0 to -5ºC. This is because we design according to our own architectural knowledge and experience rather than constrained parameters of energy star rating software. - Engineering
The design is based on N3 wind loading (180 km/h) and BAL 12.5 bushfire rating, but can be adjusted for cyclonic areas and higher bushfire ratings. Floor can be framed or concrete slab per your preference.
