Above left: a house constructed with planet-friendly materials including heavy insulation, lightweight veneer panels and sustainable timber. Above right: a Melbourne worker’s cottage renovated by Gardiner Architects using sustainable practices, such as retaining the small footprint and employing passive solar designs to orientate to the north and protect from the hot afternoon sun from the west.
3. USE PLANET-FRIENDLY MATERIALS “There are lots of exciting eco-friendly materials available today – like recycled glass countertops, wood wool acoustic board, recycled brick and cork flooring, which is seeing a resurgence in popularity,” says Brooke. “These materials are chosen for their sustainability features such as renewability, recycled content, low environmental impact and improved indoor air quality – and they often have higher durability and require less maintenance. That means you’ll have reduced replacement and repair costs over time. Plus, the energy savings achieved through sustainable materials can offset the initial investment.”
4. LOOK AT ORIENTATION The relation of your main living spaces towards the sun is a key determining factor when it comes to sustainability, says Matt. “Often, orientation hasn’t been thought about with an original build and you may have limits on what can be done in a reno,” he explains. “But if you can, get the orientation right for the property on the site, because it affects how well your home can make use of the sun for heating, and also the prevailing winds for cooling. This, in combination with glass, thermal mass, ventilation and shading are all elements that are essential in a passive architectural approach – and key factors if you’re looking to reduce energy bills.”
5. DOWNSIZE YOUR PLANS Smaller is always better, says Matt. “The smaller the home, the more energy- efficient it is and the cheaper it is to heat and cool. It also has less material used in its construction so it’s cheaper to build and maintain. Plus, having a smaller home limits your ability to accumulate too much superfluous stuff, which has a huge benefit to the environment.”
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SENIORS.COM.AU
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2023 DARE
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