Locate were appointed after a rigorous schedule of assessment of Architects and have spent the summer of 2006 co-developing initial sketch proposals for this low energy house.

Taking clues from the 'passivhaus' and the aecb's 'carbonlite' standards the building will be very highly insulated, airtight and with a careful balance of passive solar design and thermal and moisture mass. All space heating will be by wood, and with solar water heating the heating load of the building will be entirely carbon-neutral.

In addition the Clients were keen to investigate innovative wastewater treatment methods and the current proposals attempt a 'zero-outfall' solution with plant based nutrient recovery developed with help from those involved with the Earthship building typology.

With Planning permission and Building Warrant approval, the house started on site late in 2007 and is due for completion in 2008.