Australia’s first zero-carbon, nine-star home by a commercial developer has today thrown open its doors in Waverley Park, Melbourne.
The Mirvac-designed home, called Harmony 9, features a reverse brick veneer construction with bricks on the inside and the timber frame on the outside to keep the home at a constant temperature, a Smart Energy Meter for real time monitoring of energy and water use, and is fitted with solar panels.
It is also heavily insulated throughout, has double glazed windows with timber frames sealed with natural oil, has north-facing living areas and windows with shading and maximises ventilation. Construction materials and furniture were also recycled.
Planning minister, Justin Madden, said the home would help the state become a national leader in sustainable building.
“Harmony 9 shows that creating sustainable homes is a realistic and necessary goal to keep the industry and community striving towards,” Madden said.
“Buildings have been shown to produce 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and working in partnership with the community to cut emissions through innovations in sustainable building will help protect our environment for future generations.’’
As climate change and population are two of the major issues facing Australia, there is an ever more pressing need to provide such sustainable and energy efficient homes for our growing population, he said.
“It is vital that all sectors of the community play their part in reducing greenhouse emissions and saving water.”
