The single dwelling home has long been the cornerstone of Australian architecture. From double-brick semis in the inner west of Sydney to the iconic verandah-wrapped airiness of the Queenslander, single dwelling architecture is a place where familiarity and quintessential Aussie-ness resides.
Almost as Australian as purchasing (or discussing) real estate is the other great Australian dream - home alteration. Every year thousands of people seek to make improvements and upgrades to their homes with help from creative, thoughtful architects.
During the pandemic, renovations boomed, surging 25% between 2020 and 2022. As people came to realise they may be spending far more time inside than they’d imagined, all of a sudden those little (or not so little things) that needed fixing sprang into sharp focus. Now, in 2023, and staring down the barrel of an economic correction, it’s safe to say additions and alterations are slowing in the residential market.
But that’s not to say that they’re stopping; far from it. Innovative, sustainable alterations and additions abound in the domestic market - and there are three trends we’ve observed that look set to shape the year(s) ahead.
Sustainable materials
When we mention a sustainable building material, the first port of call is always responsibly sourced wood. And yes, wood is undoubtedly a big part of it. But we’re also seeing a trend towards earth walls, mud, and clay-based construction materials and cladding (locally sourced, of course). This is combined with a movement towards recycled and natural soft finishings in the interiors of sustainable alterations. Think jute, cork, wool, and natural fibres derived from an array of sustainable plant-based sources.
Innovative energy efficiencies
With the cost of living steadily on its way up, energy (and, therefore, cost) efficiencies are front of mind for clients and architects alike. But we’re well past the point of solar panels and reverse-cycle aircon. Structurally, we’re seeing thermal walls and glazed windows rapidly growing in popularity - particularly in the colder parts of the country. And inside, a range of tech-enabled solutions such as water heat transfer systems are being installed to make comfort a constant, and reduce the need for external heating (or cooling) help.
Bringing the outside in
This is a sort of hybrid trend, half about the increased use of natural light, and half about the innovative rooftop or windowsill gardens, and greening generally, that we’re seeing become a mainstay in alterations and additions. On the natural light front, it stands to reason given our earlier trend around energy efficiency, that the sun be harnessed for its incredible sustainability contributions. But there’s
also the purely aesthetic benefits; that it makes any alteration or addition look and feel light, airy, and warm. On the greenery front, again the appeal is both functional and aesthetic. Functionally, gardens are being used for their thermal properties (particularly on roofs), but also for their roles in the filtration and cleaning of stormwater and surface water. Visually… Well, who doesn’t love a garden? The use of plants - whether indoors or outdoors - is a timeless design trend that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
So, while it’s fair to say we’re approaching another patch of uncertainty in the economy at large, there’s no dearth of innovative new ideas shaping the additions and alterations in Australian homes. It’s incredible to see that sustainability has been placed firmly at the centre of the design thinking when it comes to renovating innovative structures, and we look forward to seeing more of it!
For more information regarding the Sustainability Awards, visit sustainablebuildingawards.com.au.
Image: Alex Symes Architect's Pepper Tree Passive House.
