Evergreen Living Townhouses by Sanctum Design

The brief called for a sustainable development using the latest in ESD strategies and products. The project units had to utilise low or zero energy solutions and incorporate 'healthy home' principles. By using conventional lightweight construction with a balance of a well weighted building fabric to achieve good thermal performance, Sanctum Design was able to reduce the overall building cost of the project.

Initiatives:

• north facing living areas and appropriately zoned sleeping and service areas

• grid connected solar energy system (2 kW) with 60c per kW feed-in tariff

• thermal mass ‘heat bank’ in living room floors and dividing ‘party’ walls

• double glazed timber doors and windows

• cross ventilation and clerestory openings and operable louvre system

• external shading devices

• highly insulated building envelope, including R2.5 to walls and R3.0 to ceilings

• low energy LED or fluorescent lighting used throughout

• solar water heating with gas booster

• 10,000 litre rainwater reservoir provided to each unit, which is connected to toilets and external taps

• recycled timber used extensively as feature cladding, balustrades and structure

• strict code of recycling and re-use was implemented by the builders — off-cuts were re-used on-site or recycled

Affordable Housing Development for James Brown Memorial Trust by Flightpath Architects

The brief included redeveloping the existing Mansfield Park Pensioner Cottages which had been operating as targetable affordable housing since the early 1960s. It also included demolition of the existing buildings and a rebuild with an emphasis on operational sustainability for both the tenant and owner.

Initiatives:

• a conscious decision was made to pay significantly higher prices for the Kwila timber to ensure it was from a sustainably managed forest

• solar photovoltaic system — all available north facing roofs and verandahs used for PV. This resulted in an 8.3 kW system

• building locations on the site are staggered to enhance the prevailing south westerly air flow

• ventilation through each unit encouraged through doors (hinged and sliding) and awning windows

• all openable windows and doors installed with high strength security/fly screens to encourage tenants to open them for cooling ventilation

• all external walls constructed using reverse brick veneer construction and all floors are exposed polished concrete

• each unit has a 1,000 litre rainwater tank plumbed to the washing machine and toilet cistern

• stormwater detention provided by on-site detention basins

• metal cladding and roofing all rolled and fabricated and product manufactured in Regency Park and delivered direct to the site, around 3 km away

Gunnedah Serviced Apartments by Gunnedah Serviced Apartments

The brief was to offer environmentally responsible accommodation for the interior and exterior of the building. Where possible, Australian-owned companies were to be used and products which were recyclable and low energy.

Initiatives:

• large double glazed windows face to the north with 600 mm eaves and a retractable blind to allow winter sun in and keep summer sun out

• living areas on the north side with bedrooms to the south

• cement slab with tiles used to provide thermal mass

• wall insulation of around R4.0 using 75 mm polystyrene EPS cladding with R1.5 insulation and ceiling insulation of R4.5 with a light coloured roof, reflective foil and batts

• rainwater tanks

• building materials have been used that are light, have low embodied energy, are recyclable, cost effective and where possible sourced from local or Australian manufacturers

Two Townhouses by Visionary Design Development

The project encompasses semi-attached, two-storey, two-bedroom, two-bathroom (one accessible), timber-framed townhouses with off-street carparking. Five star energy ratings have been obtained for both townhouses.

Initiatives:

• rainwater tanks

• ceiling fans

• landscaping designed and selected for low maintenance and low water usage

• low energy light fittings

• ModWood decking made from recycled material

• as there is currently no requirement for private housing to contain any accessibility features, Visionary Design Development surpassed mandatory requirements by providing level access to the front verandah, level access from the verandah to the house, a level access shower and level access to the rear deck

• energy efficient glazing