Australian Living has completed a project in Sydney which it has labelled a truly sustainable home.
The Rose Bay home was designed by Caroline Pidcock from Pidcock Architecture + Sustainability.
The project is about promoting the sustainable building industry.
Cameron Rosen from Australian Living says, “We take sustainability to the core of our homes. Sustainability should be respected and not treated as an add-on.”
“There are many misconceptions out in the marketplace which is why consumers are confused and lack confidence. Building industry associations and the project home industry has a lot to answer for when it comes to sustainability.”
The home is rated at an eight stars for thermal comfort, which Rosen says was achieved “through clever design, thermal comfort assessment and zoning, thermal performing glazing, smart insulation strategies, thermal mass control and material choice.”
The home was constructed with various innovative sustainable building materials and techniques.
Features include three water tanks storing a combined total of 6,600 litres; grey water diversion; and an irrigation system feeding citrus trees, lawn, herbs, olive trees, banana trees, and passionfruit.
It also uses energy efficient appliances; LED lighting throughout the home; garden wall; insulation that sits externally, internally, under the concrete slab and on the roof via a combined roof panel.
The home utilises high WELS rated shower heads, taps, and dual flush toilets; a three kilowatt PV solar system; sustainable interiors; double glazed windows only where required; all timber used is certified plantation (AFS) or recycled.
Timber windows were used, as was green concrete during construction, along with a pre-fabricated walling system, and plasterboard with a high content of recycled material.
Pidcock comments: “This house is a powerful case study in demonstrating the importance of an integrated team in delivering well designed sustainable homes, the value of which has been carefully developed through the contribution of all.”
“Every decision on the design and materials for this home was guided by aesthetics, intelligent research and knowledge on buildability and cost. Achieving well in all areas ensured a great, sustainable outcome — a home that shows a positive desirable future is achievable.”
