Build it Local Sustainable Design Competition Guidelines 2017

2 Sustainable House Day Design Competition 2017

What is the theme?

In 2017 we are looking for the most sustainable ‘Build it Local’ house, designed for the sub-tropics.

Build it Local challenges entrants to design a family home in a typical suburban context, using approved and/or non-approved materials sourced from our collective backyard in the Northern Rivers region to reduce the embodied footprint of the build. The theme also extends to using local labour, an owner builder model or a combination of the two.

Sourcing and using local building materials and labour greatly reduces a building’s embodied energy footprint. Given the diversity of our region, with ready access to recycled materials, plantation timbers, bamboo, straw bale, rammed earth and mud brick building systems, combined with a multitude of building component manufacturers, the Northern Rivers can supply everything needed to design and build fantastic, environmentally responsive houses.

The theme addresses sustainability, environmental and social issues and will boost the region’s economy and skillset. It will also highlight where the gaps are in terms of skills and materials and open the door to new industries, such as hemp growing, treatment and application.

This year we invite you to think creatively in designing a sustainable home using local labour and materials and provide a radial diagram to map the distances of where building materials were sourced.

Entry categories

Category Description

Professional Architecture and design professionals and students

Community Local residents and young adults 16+

Youth Local young people 16 and under

What are the prizes?

Category Prizes

Professional 1st

$1,000 cash plus 1 year display of your entry at Tweed Council reception.

2nd $500 cash Peoples Choice: $100 cash Community Lismore City Council area

Byron Shire Council area Tweed Shire Council area Ballina Shire Council area

$500 cash $500 cash $500 cash $500 cash

Youth 1st Prize 2nd & 3rd Prize

$200 cash $50 cash

4 Sustainable House Day Design Competition 2017

• Passive design: Indicate solar orientation (optimise summer shade/winter sun access) and prevailing breezes and demonstrate how the design responses to these climatic influences.

• Energy efficiency (optimise insulation, thermal mass, natural lighting and natural ventilation Renewable energy systems (solar technology).

• Show on-site water harvesting and management.

• Ecosystems services on site (including both native planting and edible food).

2. Social sustainability and community character Promote house design that contributes to the streetscape, local built form character and housing diversity of its given context.

• Identify opportunities to make stronger community and social connections through design and building processes.

• Highlight the use of local labour, labour pools, workshops or exchanges used in the build.

3. Economic sustainability • Outline how your use of local labour, owner builder labour, free, paid or

exchanged contributes to affordability.

• Identify efficient, innovative and effective materials and building systems and technology.

• Highlight how it is cost effective and affordable to a wide cross section of society (eg: first house owner families and low income pensioners).

• Create an efficient and minimal building envelope scale (not a Mcmansion).

What are the entry requirements?

• Entrants must complete an entry form via www.sutainablehousedaynr.org

• Each entry should include a photo of the entrant and 150 word bio

• Design format can be CAD or hand drawn, photos, models or drawings of an actual build can be included

• Must be at 1:200 scale.

• Overall the entry should contain up to 6 x A3 landscape printed sheets to be displayed in the format below on a display board at the Expo

• The home must be designed to fit into an urban environment.

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What should I include?

A dot point explanation of why and how the building design addresses sustainable and Build it Local principles.

Floor plan

Must be A3 size and include:

• a north arrow

• room type and dimensions of internal rooms, decks, ramps and overall footprint

• position of doors and windows.

Elevations

Must be A3 size and include:

• building height

• ceiling height(s)

• width and height of each door and window

• materials and colours used for the walls, floor and roof

• the location of the hot water system as well as any water tanks, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and other services.

3D design image • A 3D visualiation or model of your choice in context showing outdoor spaces,

neighbours, vegetation/landscaping.

• OPTIONAL include photos of the dwelling if it has already been built. Photos should be in jpeg format, 900 pixels maximum at the longest side and no larger than 1MB. Use https://wetransfer.com/ to send your photos or larger files to sustainablehousedaynr@gmail.org.

Cross Sections

Must be A3 size and include:

• materials and colours used for the wall, floor and roof, including the thickness and any explanatory notes

• type of insulation used throughout the building.

• wall height(s)

• roof pitch.

Material specification

In a tabulated or diagrammatic map format include:

• each of the nominated building materials and key elements

• location and source of the materials in relation to the building site.

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Youth category (16 and under) Entries in this category can be more creatively presented.

• Use A3 drawings, paintings or Google SketchUp as well as handmade mini-models, diorama etc.

• OPTIONAL to follow the submission requirement below but don’t let our suggestions limit your creativity!

Site Plan

Entrants should include the site plan as an A3 site plan at 1:200 scale (see last page) to show position of dwelling within envelope and include suggested landscaping.

For more information

Visit www.sustainablehousedaynr.org or contact Andia Cally, Event Coordinator - Northern Rivers Sustainable House Day Collaboration.

0438 825 411

sustainablehousedaynr@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/Sustainable-House-Day-Northern-Rivers

Entry form on website

www.sustainablehousedaynr.org

The Sustainable Build it Local Design Competition, Expo & Open Homes are joint projects coordinated by Andia Cally and brought to you by Byron Shire Council, Lismore City Council, Tweed Shire Council, Ballina Shire Council, Nimbin Neighbourhood & Information Centre, Self Seed, NSW TAFE & Dorroughby Environment Educational Centre.