issue 5 canberra homemaker

Canberra

Issue Five • 2011

eomemaker

All the trust under the sunKitchens Décor Window Treatments Lighting

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EDITORRobert Wilson

[email protected]

CREATIVE DIRECTORElizabeth Hawkes

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTERSSophie Kilmartin, Susan Parsons

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Canberra

Issue Five • 2011

eomemaker

All the trust under the sun

COVER STORySOlAR SHOP : Making a green choice with all the trust under the sunPages 26 - 30

Canberraeomemaker

UP TO

SO VINTAGE, SO VASTSO YOU

FOUND ORIGINALS

Found, collected or refashioned Vast Interior Originals will create a unique space.

Fyshwick store27 Albany Street p: (02) 6239 3777 Mittagong storeHighlands Homemaker Centre p: (02) 4872 3047

furniture & homewaresvastinterior.com.au

Autumn Exhibition8th-30th April

Opening Night Friday 8th at 5.30 at 7.30pm

Featuring: Robert Pengilley, Gordon hanley

& Sandra Hendy

Gordon Hanley, A Parliament of Owls, Silverpoint

federation Square Gold creek tel 6230 2055 fax 6230 [email protected] www.aarwungallery.com.au

omemaker

designcraft

Eames Moulded Plastic Rocker designed by Ray and Charles Eames for HermanMiller.

Open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Saturday 10am-4pmCnr Sheppard Street & Monaro Highway Hume ACT 2620Phone 6290 4900Email [email protected] www.designcraft.net.au

furniture joinery showcases

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Sourcing Styleby Sophie Kilmartin

MUD MATTERSThese platters by Mud would be a perfect gift from Australia, as the set seems to reflect the opera house, eucalyptus, sunsets and modern cuisine. you could buy some for yourself too as surprisingly they are microwave, oven and dishwasher proof. Contact (02) 9389 5580 for our local stockist.

HOMEMADE VASEA huge fan of the simplicity and uniqueness of our very own Mud, I couldn’t go past these gorgeous vases. Subtle pastel colours and that handmade look is Mud all over. Contact (02) 9389 5580 for our local stockist

THINK FINK OK so we have all seen the Fink jugs. These popular Australian designers have a range of other products that we may come across in various Art Gallery shops around the world or serving us in our most famous restaurants. This platter was designed by Rachel Bowak and is

said to relate to the Australian landscape with “it’s brilliant blue skies, intense shimmering heat and light refracting over ancient landscapes”. Perfect for those prawns just off the barbie with a selection of dipping sauces. Available from HOME by Creations, Manuka.

DESIGNER VASESExhibit Interiors’ mission is ‘to source objects that magnify both beauty and purpose’. Pictured here is a collection of colourful and eclectic porcelain objects ‘Naturalia vasi colorati’ by Fos Ceramiche. Sourced in Verona at an Italian interior design fair, these pieces have just arrived at Exhibit

Interiors. Go to www.exhibit.net.au to see their carefully selected range of furniture, ceramics, glassware, lighting and art.

MACADAMIA MANIAAnother innovative material being used is the Australian Macadamia nut. Husque recycles the discarded

shells by milling them into fine particles, blending them with a polymer to then form into various objects. Pictured here is the Husque Coloured Opera House bowls and are available from HOME by Creations, Manuka.

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Sourcing Styleby Sophie Kilmartin

STEP INTO FRANCEProvincial Home living at DFO provides a little oasis in the hustle and bustle of a shopping centre. Their merchandising is inspiring and warm. Designed in Melbourne, these stores have been placed in large regional towns (we are often considered regional). They are able to offer lower prices as the items are made all over the world. Go and have a browse.

RETRO TAlENTI had to show you this. I love it when an individual’s craft is so clearly demonstrated. This has been designed by Andrzej loza and made from macassar ebony with polished stainless steel. The ‘Tango cabinet’ (POA) is made in Victoria, however can be shipped nationally. Call City living on (03) 9532 2047 and visit www.loza.com.au to get an insight into the design process.

INDUSTRIAl HANG UPSAnother storage solution for the kitchen that’s not too ‘country style’. The European designed Hahn rack collection provides a modern slant on the pot hanging rack. They come in stainless steel and natural, as

well as Expresso (pictured). This is the Hahn large Rectangular Kitchen Rack (RRP $359.95). local Hahn stockists are: Essential Ingredient, Kingston; la Cuccina, Queanbeyan; and Fauvage Urbian, Brand Depot.

BAMBOO-ZlEDlight, environmentally friendly and good looking, Bamboo is now used for many things in the home from flooring to towels. This gorgeous salad set is by SunnylIFE round platter - $49.95 and salad servers $24.95 and are available from David Jones. look at www.sunnylife.com.au for more of their bamboo range.

POUCH FOR HIMSo he got his ipad for Christmas. Now to protect it and hide it from the kids, get this ipad pouch from Kikki-K’s Graf range. Inspired by mathematical shapes and featuring this vintage yellow and orange hue, it’s perfect for blending in with his other man stuff. $39.95 from Kikki-K in the Canberra Centre.

BASE VASE I love this look of a combination of ceramic and rattan, which gives a mix of gloss and a textured matt finish. This range is from Sunnylife, available at David Jones and is very reasonable at $29.95 for the small turquoise bowl, and $39.95 for a short vase.

If you have something for the home that you think suitable for ‘Sourcing Style’ please contact - [email protected]

of Canberra home buyers search Allhomes!*

*Based on responses by participants in a survey conducted by ACA Research.

It’s the only marketIng your property needs

00911 allhomes homemaker 100%_FA.indd 1 3/03/11 3:05 pm

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“Our customers can buy a unique piece of furniture from us for the same price as they would pay for a mass produced piece at one of the big retail chains.”

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There is no other furniture store in Australia quite like Fox on Collie. This huge Canberra furniture emporoium has the space to showcase

both antique and new furniture under the one roof.

s soon as you enter Fox on Collie, you know you are in for a unique experience. With 3,000 square metres over three levels, it is a vast warehouse of hand-picked antique French furniture.

And now, with the introduction of a select range of designer, modern furniture, Fox on Collie has something for everyone.

“People are sick of sameness,” explains owner Barry Faux. “They go to their friends’ houses and see they all have the same furniture.”

Barry says Fox on Collie is so successful because it offers furniture that is both unique and affordable. “No two pieces of furniture in our shop are the same. When someone buys a piece from us, they know no other person will have one the same; our customers are people who are looking for something different.”

And Barry is quick to point out how affordable antique furniture has become. “Our customers can buy a one-off piece of furniture from

us for the same price as they would pay for a mass produced piece at one of the big retail chains.”

But bringing affordable, quality antique furniture to the Australian market is not an easy task, it takes three trips a year to France and thousands of kilometres of driving. “When we are on a buying trip in France we cover over 5,000 kilometres in three weeks.”

Barry says that on these buying trips it’s what you don’t buy that is more important than what you do buy.

“The only way to get as good a collection of antiques as we have here at Fox on Collie, is to dismiss 95 percent of what you see while in France as not being good enough or too expensive. you have to be ruthless and know what you are doing. I will only buy if the price is right.”

People’s taste in furniture has become more relaxed, Barry

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Old Fox New Fox

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Surfboard standing mirror also comes in table size.

Arak table Scandinavian classic in glass and wood with modern stainless steel detail detail. Two sizes - 80 & 100cms.

Zine coffee table retro chic in three sizes.

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explains. “People don’t want heavy, dark English furniture any more; they want something lighter and brighter. We try to buy for Australian tastes in France.”

And if there is one thing Barry is great at, it is anticipating what peoples’ taste will be, both for antique and modern furniture.

While over fifty per cent of antique shops have closed down over the last ten years, Fox on Collie has grown even bigger.

“When the antique market was contracting, we started wholesaling modern furniture to other retail stores all over Australia, and we are now retailing modern furniture from our store here in Fyshwick as well. It’s all a part of reinventing ourselves.”

The first time Barry’s business partner, Charlie Alliott, saw modern design and antique furniture being presented in the one place at the one time was when he was living in Paris. “That’s what we are trying to do here, bring the old and the new together and I have yet to see anyone else do so as successfully in Australia as we do.”

Charlie said the modern furniture Fox on Collie is selling has an ageless design appeal. “It does have a Scandinavian modern retro feel that is very appealing to the younger market.”

Barry sums up how important it has been for him and Charlie to keep up with the times. “Nothing stays the same for ever, and if you don’t change and respond to what the market wants, you will fall by the way-side. The new Fox on Collie is a hell of a long way from doilies and dead peoples’ Dalton we were doing back in 1980!”

Barry Faux and Charlie Alliott

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Nishi No compromisehe Molonglo Group’s latest development at Acton, Nishi, not only has more sustainability measures put in place than any other development in Canberra, but pushes beyond the development

model which seeks to put quality against price and price against sustainability.

Nishi shows that it is possible to deliver highly sustainable apartments in inner city locations that are affordable and do not compromise on quality or amenity.

Designed by world-class architects Suppose Design Office (Tokyo) and Fender Katsalidis Architects (Melbourne) in conjunction with engineering consultant group Arup (london) – no detail has been overlooked in the Nishi development.

Nishi is the third and final stage of the hugely successful $550M multi award-winning NewActon precinct developed by Molonglo Group.

Offering 1 and 2 bedroom apartments from $330,000, Nishi has incorporated sustainable design principles with uninterrupted views of lake Burley Griffin or Black Mountain, optic fibre direct to your apartment to deliver high-speed internet, plenty of storage space and quality fittings and finishings .

located only minutes walk from Canberra CBD, a two minute stroll to lake Burley Griffin, 10 minutes to the Airport, five minutes from many of Canberra’s major attractions, there is no shortage of places to visit, shop, eat, entertain and exercise.

If that wasn’t enough, the NewActon precinct includes a gymnasium, pilates studio, hair salon and day spa, restaurants, bars,

living in a sustainable development no longer means compromise.

grocery store and hotel, with plans for a bike shop, florist and cinema. On the sustainability front, Nishi has been designed with real

consideration of environmental, social and economic sustainability.Molonglo Group and Nishi design team considered the impact

of construction on the environment, impact of residents, further development of the precinct facilities and delivering a range of affordable apartment options to Canberrans.

With solar thermal, passive solar heating, dual-aspect design, high thermal mass, thermal buffer spaces and hydronic radiators make for

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Nishi No compromise

Factory43 King StreetBungendore, NSW 2621Tel: (02) 6238 1503Fax: (02) 6238 1684

ShowroomUnits 7-8,Centrecourt, Barrier StreetFyshwick, ACT 2609Tel: (02) 6280 4050

Makers of fine furniture

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Sustainability Facts An estimated 650,000lt of rainwater will be harvested from the roof areas

Most apartments receive at least 4 hours of sunshine a day

4 out of 5 toilet flushes are free

70 per cent saving on domestic hot water

Up to 33 per cent overall water consumption per annum

Go green and cash in your car spot for $25,000 discount on settlement

Double pane, low-emissivity glazing reduces heat loss by 60 per cent

•No need for mechanical cooling and heating

Nishi

the ultimate sustainably designed building.The shape and orientation of the building is designed to maximize

the views of Black Mountain and Lake Burley Griffin and provide exposure to the winter sun and daylight.

At the same time the specially designed fixed and operable external shades reduce the need for heating and cooling.

The roof-mounted solar thermal system will provide 70 per cent of the building’s domestic hot water every year and most apartments will receive at least four hours of sunshine per day which will facilitate passive heating so that only minimal heating will be necessary through the hydronic radiator system.

All apartments are naturally ventilated with operable glazing and sliding doors to provide fresh air and free cooling during shoulder seasons and the Summer.

Thermal buffer spaces in the forms of a conservatory and winter garden create transitional spaces between the outside ambient conditions and the main living area of the apartment. They limit heat loss and infiltration during winter months and provide shading to the living space during summer months.

Although the passive design provides comfortable conditions during most of the year, the hydronic radiant heating provides additional comfort during the coldest Canberra months.

The apartments also come with energy-efficient lighting, and some of the highest-rated water-efficient appliances money can buy – like the 6-star basin mixers, 3-star shower heads, 4-star toilet suite pan and 6-star European dryer.

Nishi apartments have ticked all the right boxes offering quality and affordable apartment living with views, amenity, and are packed with sustainable features.

Nishi is living sustainable design without comprise - one that doesn’t cost the earth.

For more information contact Colliers International on 1300 231 962 or www.newactonnishi.com.au.

The word ‘sustainability’ is a term used often leaving residents to compromise on other aspects of their new home – whether price, quality or amenity.

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Nishi

Make your house a home

FYSHWICKCorner Barrier & Isa Streets 6280 5703

PHILLIP Hindmarsh Drive6285 1888

www.carpetcourt.com.au‘we work hard to make it easy’

Visit one of our two stores for expert advice on how to make your house a home.

• Quality carpets• Vinyl, vinyl tiles• Timber Floors

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Knotwood now exclusive to Aluminium Warehouse in CanberraUsing aluminium and the latest technology available to create the natural look of timber, Knotwood gives you the beauty and warmth of timber without the time consuming maintenance and expense.

No matter what exterior application you require, there is a Knotwood solution available: • Decorative Fencing • Privacy/Decorative Screens • Gates • Decking • Louvers • External Cladding • Balustrades

47 Collie StreetFyshwick ACT 2609(02) 6280 5126

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Rivoland has been recognised by The Master Builders Association for their exceptional level of sales service to MBA members and

industry support by winning the ‘Supplier of the year’ in both 2004 and 2009.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, advice or looking for that “perfect tile”, come and visit the showroom and talk to one of Rivoland Tiles specialist staff.

The Queanbeyan and recently opened Mitchell showrooms are a “must see” according to leading interior designers. The wide range of displays in the showroom is designed to provide inspiration and ideas on how the products can be used both inside and outside of your own home or commercial setting.

With the advice from helpful staff you could transform your environment to suit your personality, using the best floor and wall tiling products available in Australia.

By regularly travelling around the world, their import buyers are offered the latest available and in many cases exclusive stock. Rivoland are agents for brands such as Bisazza, la Fabrica, Ergon/Emil, Inalco to name a few.

If you’re building, renovating or are just thinking about updating, you simply must visit one of their showrooms. Whether you’re seeking modern sophistication or a quirky and unique personal touch, the team at Rivoland will help you find that perfect tile.

With 28 years of service, an amazing showroom and a team of specialists, Rivoland Tiles has become a leader in the Australian floor and wall tile industry.

Rivoland Showrooms

100 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan Phone 62974510

55 Darling Street, Mitchell Phone 62411557

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Trade Outlets24-26 Aurora Street, Queanbeyan Tel 6297 993055 Darling Street, Mitchell Tel 6255 0535

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Catherine Carter is the ACT Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia, the national representative of the property industry.

Capital

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Show me a static society and I’ll show you one either in, or heading for decline. Show me a society that has no plans or vision for its future, and which is entrenched in its views and resistant to change, and I’ll show you a static society. life itself is dynamic and versatile. living things need to show

that dynamism and adaptability to continue to flourish. Research into extinctions often spells it out. A species that paints

itself into a biological corner, becoming too specialised in its choice of home, food and/or behaviour patterns, is a species that has made itself dangerously vulnerable to changing circumstances.

No wonder then, that Professor Don Aitkin, chairman of the National Capital Authority has expressed a strong wish for the National Capital Plan to be revamped. He says it is outdated and inadequate to handle changed circumstances – namely our population, which currently at around 350,000 and growing every day. This is a change which we can’t, in a democracy, stop. Our population will grow unless we adopt extraordinarily undemocratic measures to prevent it.

So we need a plan that caters for that population, and that means one which allows adaptation to changing circumstances. And such a plan should anticipate demographic changes so that future Canberrans will have the homes, community assets and infrastructure they need.

Certainly today’s Canberrans are making their wishes clear. Infill development, for example, in the form of inner-urban housing has proved extremely popular with many. Developments of this type experience immediate demand and gratifyingly heavy sales. Surely an indication that the Australian dream has evolved beyond the quarter-acre block to include other forms of housing. And it seems we no longer expect to stay in one home all our lives. People are choosing tree or sea changes of course. But retirees are also aiming to live at the heart of things in convenient, low maintenance homes close to transport. young people may choose to live first where the action is, deciding on a suburban house and land package when they start families. And others of all ages make home buying decisions based on a range of lifestyle choices.

The truth is that Canberra’s housing market will be driven by the demands and needs of those living, or intending to live in our housing. But to meet that demand intelligently, we need a cogent and well-thought out plan, which integrates with other government planning, such as that for land use and infrastructure, and allows for adaptation as circumstances change. And to be ready for changing circumstances, we need to regularly review and assess all our strategic plans for the future of Canberra.

CATHERINE CARTER As ACT Executive Director of the Property, Catherine Carter is responsible for all aspects of the organisation‚ operations, policy development and public affairs in the ACT.

The Property Council is a leading advocate for greater strategic planning of our major cities, more efficient infrastructure funding mechanisms, taxation reform, planning reform and sustainable development.

CritiqueThe discussion about Canberra’s suburban sprawl verses the need for urban infill, continues unabated. Canberra HOMEMAKER asks six prominent social commentators which side of the Urban Density debate that they fall on.

In outlining her vision for Canberra yesterday Ms Carnell, chief minister for six years from 1995, said the city needed urban infill, strongly opposed by many residents, to overcome the continued creation of costly urban sprawl that was unsustainable.

“We need urban infill,” she insisted, arguing that “urban sprawl [as represented for her by places like Gungahlin] is not a way to go”.

Urban infill is essential if Canberra is to be a sustainable city of the future.

Historically, Canberra has been planned around the car – as the main mode of transport. Our city has expanded to the north and south around new suburbs.

With new suburbs, comes the need for new infrastructure including roads, schools, playing fields, broadband and shopping facilities.

The environmental costs of this sort of development are significant.

And this is before we even consider the huge problems of providing decent public transport to these far-flung suburbs.

Australia’s population is predicted to increase to 35 million over the next 40 years and Canberra will get our fair share of this large population spike. So where are we going to put all these new Canberrans?

It is my view that we must focus development around town and employment centres. As a result, we will have nodes of population in areas with existing infrastructure but, more importantly, there will be a business case for a light rail system between these centres.

This would see the first stage of a light rail system down Northbourne Avenue to the Parliamentary triangle and out to Woden Plaza.

Over time, the light rail system would be expanded to Belconnen Mall, Tuggeranong town and Canberra’s upgraded new airport.

Infill should then occur around the rail system, including some of the buffer areas such as the vacant land around yamba Drive.

Infill should also occur around our major arterial highway links but not on hilltops or at the expense of sporting and leisure facilities.

Kate Carnell, AO, is a former ACT Chief Minister and current Chief Executive of the Australian Food and Grocery Council

KATE CARNELL AO

Capital

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The one option that Canberra cannot take in the urban density debate is business as usual. The world is changing, and we will change with it. The legislative Assembly has just agreed to a world leading reduction of greenhouse gases by 40% by 2020 and peak oil is fast approaching. Canberra also

needs to improve housing affordability, and build homes for our increasing population.

The number of people in Canberra households is decreasing while our new houses are now the largest in the world. This gives us the opportunity to make our house sizes better fit our household sizes with more diversity of housing. This will include town houses, apartments and smaller houses. younger people who want a city lifestyle more than a garden, anyone wanting to live closer to services, employment or entertainment and older people downsizing will appreciate smaller, less expensive and - by Canberra standards – denser housing near our town centres and transport routes.

This will in turn free up larger blocks and houses for people who want big gardens or have bigger households. Many existing houses no longer suit their current households. Changes in lifestyles, along with reducing populations of older suburbs, mean local schools and shops can become less viable.

Right sizing and increasing density in this way will help our city become more vibrant and facilitate a better public transport system. As densification continues, we need to protect our valuable bushland and open spaces as they provide recreational value and shared green space. We must also improve our infrastructure, our parks, schools and other amenities to support our new population. All new developments (infill or Greenfield) should suit their site and include solar passive design, disabled access, usable gardens and shared spaces for building occupants.

Andrew Barr stated recently that Walter Burley Griffin is dead, but what is really dead is the y-plan, and the idea that we can keep expanding greenfield urban development for ever.

The need for compact Cities to meet the objectives of greater liveability, financial viability and sustainability is not an ‘either - or’ game when it comes to suburbia. The facts are that we can through the strategic location of increased densities in 4 to 6 storey development around activity centres, along road

based transport corridors and on existing redevelopment sites double the population of our existing Capital Cities without the need for any further land subdivision and while achieving greater efficiencies out

CAROLINE LE COUTEUR MLACaroline Le Couteur MLA is the Greens Planning spokesperson.

There is a myriad of questions we could usefully explore not the least of which is the impatience of many of the commentators who forget that Rome was not built in a day (and that they had many a slave to do what was done), neither was Sydney, which for long had critics similar to those that rabbit on about

Canberra from a strangely a-historical perspective. The real problem for me goes to the heart of the issues of the process we are following which will surely ensure that the place will become an unsustainable desert.

The quarter acre block has been dead for sixty years. Why persist with an archaic, incorrect, and loaded question? The objective conditions that led to the quarter acre block subdivision essentially disappeared with the introduction of a piped sewerage system. It suits people to present the argument about urban density in terms of ‘quarter acre blocks’ because it and along with loaded terms like ‘sprawl’ means they do not have to think about the issues or resort to empirical evidence about what is actually happening in our cities. If we re-phrase the questions in terms of how we make our cities more sustainable in terms of energy and water consumption, food production, waste management and bio-diversity, social engagement and accessibility, equity and employment opportunities we open up the possibilities for a much more nuanced and meaningful exploration of the form and structure of our cities and the obligations and opportunities for citizens to take greater responsibility for their actions and their contribution to the cultural life of the community - including that of Canberra.

I have problems with comments such as those by some of the more vocal commentators. To me they seem superficial and do no service to those professionals who work to understand the complexity of urban life. These views undermine the ways in which truly creative designers can act as the interpreters of the processes and outcomes to produce felicitous solutions. We are not about producing monuments to the aesthetic sensitivities of building designers whatever the egos of their clients but we are about providing and encouraging our urban designers to create and develop cities that work for all of us in balance with the full range of environmental considerations.

…mind you I’ve only been here 44 years and am still trying to understand the place.

PROFESSOR PAT TROY AOCurrently Adjunct Professor Urban Research Program, Griffith University, Visiting Professor City Futures Research Centre, Faculty of Built Environment, UNSW

of our existing infrastructure. This will in Melbourne’s case require the transformation of 7.5% of the existing land in the metro area.

Given that the only sector of our national demographic that is declining is the ‘two adult two children’ family group while all other sectors are growing our residential requirements are changing in front of our eyes. Close to 40% of housing starts in Melbourne are apartments. The fact is that while the quarter acre block is not dead we possibly do not need anymore, and those that we have need to start generating solar energy, capturing their water and planting more to assist with sequestration and food production.

Canberra more than any other Capital city needs to fill the gaps and stop sprawling onto good agricultural land.

This process has already commenced in other Capital Cities, all we need to do now is to have the courage to streamline our planning schemes to facilitate this transformation

PROFESSOR ROB ADAMS Director of City Design at the City of Melbourne, Australia. He is a respected and award winning architect who has led the revitalization of the central business district and surrounds.

The number of people in Canberra households is decreasing while our new houses are now the largest in the world.

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They must have been mad! How could an educated, intelligent people have been so blind – or, worse still, so selfish - that they were unable or unwilling to see the impracticality of continuing the urban sprawl? That is how future generations, saddled with the trouble and cost of

solving the results of our folly, are going to condemn us. The concept of quarter acre blocks, and home ownership

generally, in suburban Australia is not much more than one hundred years old. In the early days, and throughout much of the 20th century, most people used their back yards to grow fruit and vegetables and to keep poultry. In this regard, these people were as independent as they possibly could be. But our way of living is quite different now. How many young or even middle-aged people now use their land for that practical purpose? They have neither the interest in doing so, nor the time. It, and therefore the concept of quarter acre blocks with the inevitable unwieldy and cripplingly expensive infrastructure they entail, is as outdated as button-up boots.

An increasing number of people today don’t want the burden of caring for a large block of land, and they don’t have the time anyway. Relieved of the constant effort necessarily involved in doing so, they find it more practical to occupy their leisure time enjoying the public parklands and sporting facilities.

It is a fundamental natural law that a species will die if it is unable to adapt to a drastic change in its environment. As the populations of our cities grow it is essential that we adopt a more intelligent concept of housing them. We must change our way of thinking

Canberra was designed in the early part of the 20th century. The design was of an elite country town of that period, and was no doubt suited to the living style then enjoyed by the people. But the world has moved on. It is no longer practical arbitrarily to limit the height of buildings, provide vast tracts of unused land between suburbs, and other such restrictions incorporated in the original design. These restrictions do not meet the present demands of the people.

It was an American who wrote “In the United States there is more space where nobody is than where anybody is”. This is even more so the case in Australia, and the space is costing time, money, and inconvenience. We can’t do anything about the size of the continent, but we can and should be doing something about the size of our cities. Infill and an increase in medium and high density housing will allow the Canberra population to grow without further extending its already ridiculously over-extended boundaries

Historically, of course, any move to implement such changes can be expected to cause the selfish vocal minority of “haves” to man (or woman) the barricades.

In all Anglo Saxon cities urban density is an issue due to a 1960’s legacy from the UK of awful council flats that were a collection of misery. Nearly every community-minded person in the suburbs ever since has done their duty to oppose density increases. It will obviously reduce property values and lead to ‘the slums of the future’.

However in recent decades the densest parts of all Australian cities have become synonomous with wealth and amenity whilst the new outer fringe leafy suburbs have become poorer and poorer. The price of housing in such far flung suburbs is lower but it costs much more to live as they travel so far. The wealthy in Sydney’s suburbs like Paddington and the new 20 storey apartments of Green Square are using cars ten times less on a per capita basis than those in the far west. Over a 50 year lifetime people in denser inner areas save $250,000 in travel costs compared to people on the fringe.

Density builds up around amenity and that can be good transit, walkable areas close to urban facilities and even green leafy streets as in Paddington. young urban professionals are now the main market for these dense areas as they are not interested in long car commutes trapped on freeways. Despite this obvious market, whenever an area is suggested for redevelopment at higher densities the ‘save our suburbs’ movements still suggest they will be slums….

There are also some real public issues about continuing car-based urban sprawl.

Our research on the costs of urban development shows that:1. Governments across Australia subsidise low density urban fringe

development by around $85,000 per block in new infrastructure. If governments switched that to redevelopments there would be 100% redevelopment occurring. If the next 20 years of population in Australian cities went into redevelopmentl it would save over $300 billion in government revenue.

2. Fringe developments use an extra 4.4 tonnes of greenhouse gas in transport per household each year. So redevelopments will be a necessary part of any strategy to reduce carbon.

3. Fringe areas have much more obesity and depression related to the lack of walking compared to denser more walkable areas. This translates into serious health costs and if reversed would increase productivity 6% as people are better able to work and are less sick.

The reality is all Australian cities, including Canberra are reaching the limit to which they can sprawl ever outwards. It simply takes too long to get anywhere from these far flung suburbs. Oil price increases are now inevitable over the next 20 years and this will make continued fringe growth highly vulnerable.

The oil price shock of 2008 that precipitated the GFC has left an indelible impression that Australian cities should focus back in not continue to go out. As younger people are coming back in to cities there has been consequent reductions in car use. This can be seen in all American and Australian cities that for the first time in history are reducing in per capita car travel and rapidly growing in public transport. We need to facilitate this market not scare it off.

LES COOK Canberra resident for 45 years

PETER NEWMANProfessor of SustainabilityCurtin University

It is a fundamental natural law that a species will die if it is unable to adapt to

a drastic change in its environment.

Making a green choice

with all the trust under the sun

FRONT COVER STORy

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There are plenty of factors driving Australians to make the switch to

solar energy these days.

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“As well as helping to reduce our carbon footprint, we wanted a sustainable way to reduce our power bills,” said Brad. “But from doing a little research on the web we knew that not all solar panels were as efficient…”

Once the decision has been made to go solar, what sometimes surprises householders is the number of suppliers to choose from. As solar energy gains popularity in Australia, the number of companies offering installations is increasing rapidly; but the levels of service and expertise available vary quite widely.

The Page family didn’t take any chances. “There were a lot of companies out there offering solar panels, but because it was such a large investment, we wanted to make sure that we chose one that could provide the best quality products, long warranties and a system that was most suited to our needs. Solar Shop Australia was one of the larger companies with more than 10 years of providing solar power systems, they had an office in our local area and provided a great customer experience,” Brad explained.

Right from the start, Brad and Jane were impressed by the level of service and the thorough nature of Solar Shop Australia’s approach. “They did an onsite inspection and provided a comprehensive plan as to how the panels would look and fit on the roof. There were no hidden

costs. They explained in detail the ins and outs of the different system options, and left us with enough answers to make a well-informed decision… there was no hard sell.”

As a national provider with representatives all over the country, Solar Shop Australia is very much in tune with the various Bonus Schemes and Feed-in Schemes, which vary from state to state.

Often what starts as an environmental consideration gains momentum once people start researching the very real cost savings that can be made, and that was certainly the case for Brad Page and his family, who had a system installed in their home by Solar Shop Australia.

Brad’s 2.5kW system, providing free energy from the sun.

Solar panels are one of the best investments Brad and Jane have ever made.

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In addition to assistance in choosing the right system, customers will receive a thorough explanation of what benefits to expect.

The Page family is very happy with the result. “We installed a 2.5KW system 4 months ago,” said Brad. “So far we’ve been in credit, with no power bills. In fact our electricity supplier owes us over $700! We’re expecting the system to pay for itself in less than 4 years. It’s one of the best investments we’ve made.”

There are many proud advocates, such as Brad, who have experienced the benefits of solar first hand and those curious to learn more can now find out everything they need to know about the financial and environmental benefits of solar power at Solar Shop Australia’s freshly refurbished store in Fyshwick.

Solar Shop Australia State Manager, Andrew Towndrow, said visitors were invited to learn about the benefits of solar power in a relaxed and friendly environment.

“We are extremely excited to be able to better provide the local community with solar power solutions that allow them to take control of rising electricity costs” Mr Towndrow said.

“Qualified staff are on hand to demonstrate to visitors just how much our products can reduce their electricity bills, while also allowing them to do something good for the environment”.

“We’re thrilled with the level of interest to date and only expect it to grow as more and more people come to realise the overwhelming benefits of solar power.”

A true believer in renewable energy, Mr Towndrow has installed a 4kW system on his own roof and can personally discuss the solar experience with those interested in learning more.

He recommends choosing an established and reputable company, with quality products and expertise to guide you through the many considerations and tailor a solution to suit your circumstances.

The inverter changes direct current (DC) into electricity or alternating current (AC)

Brad’s power bills are now in credit.

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Australians are consuming electricity at a rate that is not sustainable through traditional sources. Solar power is a renewable energy source that’s naturally available to us every day, which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also slows down the consumption of fossil fuels, a natural resource of energy that cannot be replaced once the Earth’s reserves are exhausted.

Canberra residents are becoming more environmentally aware and solar installations have increased at a truly rapid rate. The Clean Energy Australia 2010 report reveals there was more solar power installed on rooftops in 2010 than for the entire previous decade.

Mr Towndrow said while some homeowners were still wary about investing in a system due to the associated up-front costs, Solar Shop Australia has created an Australian first to make switching to solar quick and easy.

“Solar Shop Australia has developed Sunworks, a uniquely tailored finance package that enables individuals to go solar for $0 upfront and repay the amount in fortnightly instalments, which are usually a similar amount to what they were paying for their electricity bills,” he said.

“Government rebates are also available to assist with funding. Most Australians benefit from the State Government Feed-in Tariffs, where owners of a grid connect solar power system receive a premium

reimbursement for every unit of electricity that is exported back to the grid.

“Additionally, solar panels make a valued addition to the family home. The real estate market is experiencing growing demand for houses with green credentials, which increase the property’s value, while also passing on the benefits of solar power to the next generation,” he added.

Educating young people about solar is a key factor in a sustainable future and Solar Shop Australia is proud to be one of the panel providers to ACT public schools. They completed a 30kW pilot project at Kingsford Smith School in Belconnen in July 2010 and will supply, install, monitor and maintain the grid connected photovoltaic systems, helping to facilitate the education of the students and provide a great example to them.

“With electricity costs on the rise, it not only makes good sense environmentally, it makes good financial sense, ensuring homeowners have financial independence for years to come,” Mr Towndrow said.

For more information, drop into our retail store or call 133 765. you can also visit us online at solarshop.com.au to learn more, book a free home consultation or register for one of our free, regular information sessions.

ABOUT SOLAR SHOP AUSTRALIASolar Shop Australia has more than a decade’s experience in delivering and is the one of the nation’s leading providers of premium, quality solar power systems tailored specifically to households and commercial needs. Their products and services are available at outlets throughout Australia. Solar Shop Australia is passionate about the benefits of renewable energy and to remaining at the forefront of solar technology for the good of the individual, community and environment. For more information visit www.solarshop.com.au

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From heating and cooling to washing and drying, there are many ways to save energy around the home. The size of energy accounts can vary throughout the year depending on a range of factors, including running heating or airconditioning systems or visitors staying for extended

periods. ActewAGl is reminding the community that there are simple and

effective ways to help reduce the amount of energy that households use. Top tips to save energy. Switch off hot water system and other major appliances before going

away on holidays.Turn appliances off at the powerpoint – standby power can cost a

typical Australian household $50 to $100 per year. Open the house up in the evening to let in the cool night air and shut

all windows and doors during the day to keep out the afternoon heat. Block the sun before it strikes windows and glass – this could save a

typical household up to $100 per year in cooling costs.Cool homes by setting the thermostat to between 24° and 25°C.Turn off fridges that aren’t being used – an extra fridge can cost over

$100 a year to run. Keep air filters clean and outside units clear from obstructions, which

will enable airconditioners to run more efficiently. limit the use of the clothes dryers - take advantage of the warmer

days and hang clothes outside. These tips are easy to implement and can be applied to nearly any

home with minimal impact on lifestyle. Reducing the amount of energy that households use can also help the environment by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

For more energy-saving tips or to find out other ways that ActewAGl is helping the environment visit actewagl.com.au/environment

Save energy and help the environment

Disclaimer - tips have been sourced from the Home Energy Advice Team, which is funded by the ACT Government to provide free, independent, expert advice to improve energy efficiency and Monergy - an ACT Government energy efficiency campaign.

3535ActewAGL Retail ABN 46 221 314 841 actewagl.com.au

ActewAGL is helping kids learn about sustainability through its education website.

ActewAGL provides environmental information and a wide range of energy-saving tips on its website.

ActewAGL is proud to be a major local supporter of Earth Hour.

ActewAGL is supporting Better Place, a leading service provider for electric vehicles, to deploy its network throughout the ACT.

Powering towards a greener tomorrow.

CCA1

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ActewAGL’s environmental initiatives are helping Canberra and the region power ahead into the future.

Visit actewagl.com.au/environment to find out more.

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Building better homes

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better homesBetter Building’s newest display home is located in the prestigious

suburb of yarralumla. This particular project was a knock-down rebuild – something that Canberra’s finest builder specializes in.

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he existing home was a tiny weatherboard home and there were main power lines running across the block.

Renovating and extending the original dwelling was simply not an option. The only solution was to knock down the existing home and design and build something new, exciting and modern.

In today’s property market, quite often the best piece of real estate is the one where you live. Over the past few years property prices have risen dramatically pushing them up to levels that people never thought possible. This can often mean that older properties have a higher overall land value, with the house itself being of very little worth in the total property equation. Due to this, many home owners are now choosing to demolish their existing house and build a new one in its place. This proves to be very economical and raises the value of the property considerably, with the added benefit of being able to tailor make a home to suit the block and their lifestyle.

BBS specializes in knock down and rebuild sites. We build superior quality homes to suit individual needs. A home is a statement of each person’s personality and a canvas of their dreams. It should feel like “them”. Our design professionals will work very closely with our clients to create a luxury home that speaks the language of the client’s life.

“Amber” our latest display home is influenced by the architecture and vernacular philosophy of Frank lloyd Wright. Wright evolved a new concept of interior space in architecture, rejecting the existing view of rooms as “single function” boxes. Wright created overlapping and interpenetrating rooms with shared spaces. He created the idea of “defined” space as opposed to enclosed space. He put much emphasis on simple geometry and horizontal lines. He was

also well known for this mastery of the internal environment, with great attention paid to lighting, heating and climate control.

“Amber” mimics all those principals. Situated on a medium sized block, this double storey home encapsulates the essence of modern living.

low slung, colourbond, hip-roofs, are offset by a blend of façade materials. A tiled charcoal coloured blade wall creates a strong focal point from the streetscape. large precious pearl thermal break, double glazed windows seamlessly integrate the inside and outside. While the wide eaves protect the home from the outside elements.

The design of this home is simple, elegant and timeless. We have put a lot of thought into the room sizes and their relationship to one another. We believe that we have maximised the space while allowing the full potential of the home to be noticed and utilized. Initially BBS designed this home for a young busy business couple with a young family. Due to a change in their circumstances, the clients could not go ahead with their project. We therefore asked if we could buy the block of land from them so we could build a display home. We thought that the design that was developed for the original client represented what a young, busy family wanted from their sanctuary. We only made some minor amendments and fine tuned the original plans.

We have noticed that over the last few years more and more people are opting to live in an apartment style accommodation mainly due to the fact that they do not want to, nor do they have the time, to look after and maintain large gardens. Whilst “Amber” is a stand alone home, the gardens have been designed by a professional landscaper to keep in mind that this home has been designed for professionals, business people and retirees. The beautiful

gardens require virtually no maintenance yet they provide a perfect private oasis that can be enjoyed throughout the year. There is even a plunge pool, with the most beautiful shimmering blue tiles, for those scorching summer days.

A 2200 litre water tank that collects all the roof water has been installed. The tank feeds the toilets and the washing machine in the home. It can also be used to water the gardens.

Isabella, the co-owner of BBS, grew up in Poland in an apartment block. She really struggles to understand why people that have the freedom to live anywhere would opt to live in an apartment block when you can have apartment style living with the benefit of having your own privacy, own a pet, feel nature all around you, not listen to your neighbours that live behind the wall and not have your neighbours listen to your conversations as you sit outside and talk with your friends.

The home has been designed to take advantage of the northerly aspect. All living areas and a couple of the bedrooms face north maximizing daylight hours and the solar penetration into the home. This combined with R2 wall and R4 ceiling insulation and anticon insulation under the roof, as well as sarking on all the external walls and double glazed windows means the home is very energy efficient and environmentally friendly. It leaves a low carbon emissions footprint on our precious environment.

The home has been installed with a back to base security system as well as security cameras just to give the occupants real peace of mind.

The master bedroom is located on the upper level of the home boasting loads of space. It is a very soft, romantic, sensual room. A bedroom is so much more than a place for sleeping. Bedroom designs reflect the personalities of their occupants, their styles as well as their passions.

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It is a sanctuary where one can relax, reflect and re-energise. There are no limits to the bedrooms that BBS can create for you.

Then there is the master wardrobe and ensuite. As one enters this area one could be mistaken for thinking they have stepped into a beautiful dream. Imagine a room that has been specifically designed and crafted to meet your every whim. American Walnut veneer and glass are just a couple of the different materials that have been used to create this stunning functional walk in robe. And ladies, there is plenty of room for shoes! If that is not enough to impress you,

Better Building Services is very excited to open its latest display home “Amber”.

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look to your left where you will see a Villeroy & Boch free standing bath. Not to mention that just around the corner you will find his and hers sinks (also Villeroy and Boch). The towel rails are heated as is the floor in the ensuite area.

The expansive kitchen with a massive island bench, ample storage space, a large walk in pantry combined with Miele appliances will make cooking a real pleasure. The saying is that the kitchen is the heart of the home. This is definitely true of this home and not only will the chef of this home be able to cook from the heart but they will not be isolated from the rest of the family whilst doing so. The kitchen, the family room and the dining room all share an open plan. The dining

room creates an elegant environment in which to welcome family and friends to enjoy the pleasures of a shared meal.

Extra wide American Walnut feature doors have been installed throughout the home. Ivan wanted to be able to open up the living areas as much as possible and then to be able to close them for privacy if needed. The doors are simply stunning and unique.

The laundry, whilst in many homes can be the most dreaded room in the house, in this house it is light and airy with custom made joinery and stone benchtops. Definitely not a room that will be feared.

The kids/guest bedrooms are larger in size

than most traditional homes and all have custom made wardrobes.

The home is full of creature comforts - some are obvious upon visual inspection and others that aren’t. The house includes ducted vacuum system throughout, zoned sound system, ducted gas heating with refrigerated cooling, inslab heating to bathroom, ensuite and laundry, double glazed thermal break windows and ample storage spaces throughout. Even the garage has extra room for storage.

This display home has been designed and fully specified by a number of extremely talented, award winning professionals. The home has been brought to life by someone who can interpret and visualize those drawings and specifications. Someone who can feel the personality and character of the home that initially appears only on paper. Ivan Juric, the owner of Better Building Services, through years of experience, has developed this ability to be able to get the feel of a home before it is built.

The evolution of this project was a great collaboration by a team that had a thorough understanding of the job at hand and a “can-do” attitude. It is a house created using the highest quality materials and exceptional workmanship with special attention taken on the smaller details to ensure a perfect finish.

The display home is at 14 Gunn Street in yarralumla. It is opened for inspection Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4.00pm and by appointment any other time during the week. We hope to see you there!

This display home has been designed and fully specified by a number of extremely talented, award winning professionals.

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Better Building Services announces the opening of their new display home.Discover the secret of the Better Building experience at:

“Amber” 14 Gunn Street Yarralumla Open Saturdays and Sundays 12 noon - 4pm

• Better Building designs and builds the most beautiful homes in and around Canberra.• Design management and cost planning is a specialty.• Specialising in re-development sites.

Seven National Housing AwardsWinner of over 60 local housing awards

Custom built homes • Rural homesMajor renovations & Extensions

Telephone 6280 7888 Fax 6228 [email protected] www.betterbuilding.com.au

AWARDWINNINGBUILDER

5 Better Building.indd 1 28/02/11 10:29 AM

Contact Helen now for more information Tel 0408 253 [email protected] www.sugardesigns.com.au

Sugar Designs is proud to be the interior designer of choice for Better Building Services

Helen Tadiello is a multi award winning interior designer. Her company Sugar Designs took out the Commercial Retail Fitout less than $300,000 award at last year’s Master Builders and Boral Excellence in Building Awards.

Helen, who has been working in the interior design industry since she was 18, is much sought after by high-end, boutique residential clients who are seeking that something special.

It is the professionalism of designing for commercial clients, combined with the sensitivity and understanding that residential clients demand, that makes Sugar Designs one of the best interior design companies in Canberra.

“Designing for residential clients is a much more personal experience.

As a designer, you have to have a very close understanding

of your client’s lifestyle requirements.”

Award winning homes deserve award winning interior design

5 Sugar Designs.indd 1 4/03/11 8:08 AM

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We all look forward to going away on holidays but often the fear of being broken into can put a dampener on

high spirits. Or even worse, returning from a holiday only to discover an intruder has damaged your property and stolen your hard earned possessions. Being burgled is a serious invasion of privacy and can deplete a sense of security. With many people leaving their homes unattended during Christmas it is not surprising this is a popular time of year for break-ins. Enjoy complete peace of mind this Christmas by installing Crimsafe® Security Doors and Grilles by Wynstan.

In today’s society many homes get broken into everyday, often whilst the owner is still inside, creating a potentially dangerous

situation. Burglars need to work fast and get in and out of your home as quickly as possible. Most break-ins involve entering the property by smashing a window, jimmying a lock or kicking a door down, so protecting your windows and doors is essential. The best method of deterring these criminals is by fitting Crimsafe® Security Doors and Grilles by Wynstan.

At first glance Crimsafe® appears to be just a typical steel flyscreen and its design does allow fresh air to flow freely into your home whilst keeping insects out, but its real advantage lies in the fact that it is the strongest mesh security system on the planet. With Crimsafe® fitted to your home you can rest assured that you have chosen the best available product as it delivers on its promise. There are many other security mesh products on the market

but only Crimsafe® utilises the revolutionary screw-clamped security mesh system which outperforms all other products that merely glue or wedge the mesh into the frame.

The solid construction of Crimsafe® by Wynstan makes it virtually impenetrable to thieves, ensuring you and your loved ones safe and that your treasured belongings are kept secure. Wynstan is a licensed manufacturer and installer of the Crimsafe® range and the team have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience. To organise your free in home consultation visit the Wynstan website or pop into the Wynstan Fyshwick Showroom where you can test the incredible strength of Crimsafe® for yourself.

Wynstan Fyshwick: 7/145 Newcastle Street, Fyshwick ph 6228 1575 www.wynstan.com.au

A burglars worst nightmare

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At The ApARTments in NewActon two roof terraces were designed by OCUlUS landscape Architecture & Urban Design, an international award winning practice founded in 1994 with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Washington DC.

Bob Earl and Roger Jasprizza, directors of OCUlUS, based their design at The ApARTments on the notion of providing a series of ‘landscape rooms’ that allow residents to enjoy the gardens at different times of the year. Raised garden beds create intimate areas for different groups of people and custom designed outdoor furniture can be moved to sun or shade.

The south garden has panoramic views over lake Burley Griffin to Parliament House and the High Court and vignettes are created by foliage of the trees on Acton Peninsula framing water and Canberra yacht Club on the distant shore.

Geometric shapes of raised planter beds, with contrasting bands of planting provide visual interest when viewed from higher apartments.

From the north fourth floor garden there are views to Civic, the Australian National University and Mt Ainslie and, in the foreground, courtyard and pathways dominated by oak trees and Chinese elms.

Gardens& apartment living

Three concrete and stainless steel sculptures by Sydney sculptor Ochre lawson were commissioned for the gardens. On the north podium garden is ‘Thought’ and on the south garden are ‘Walking Dingo’ and ‘Trudge’ and lawson’s design intent was concerned with how the human world sits in relation to nature.

Plants have been chosen in response to sun or shade conditions with contrasts between form, shape and seasonal colour without disrupting or blocking views. There is a mixture of evergreen and deciduous plant material with varying flowering seasons and some species were chosen to echo plants you would see in older residential gardens, like hydrangea and weigela.

The north facing sky garden receives day-long sunshine and the year-old plantings include rows of lavender and Hebe ‘Blue Gem’ underplanted with blue catmint. Dramatic New Zealand flax (Phormium ‘Maori Chieftain’) with green and red striped leaves and fine leaf lomandra contrast with softer foliage of fragrant Mexican orange blossom and arching branches of spiraea. There are three advanced trees - a pair of Japanese maples and a Magnolia ‘little Gem’.

In the south garden three Magnolia ‘little Gem’ and a pair of Chinese elms are planted with a soil depth of 1.200mm. Roger

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words SUSAN PARSONS photography ElIZABETH HAWKES

We visited three planting locations with contrasting climatic and planting conditions. In Civic, two sky gardens at fourth floor podium level faced plant

challenges of elevation and exposure. A top floor balcony of pots and troughs in Kingston needed careful plant choices which required protection from wind

and sun burn. A ground level garden encircled by apartment blocks at Kingston required plantings to provide privacy and internal vistas.

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Jasprizza explained that the trees tend to have a lateral root system and will grow out in search of soil moisture, oxygen and fertilizer as well as providing anchoring of the tree particularly in windy locations.

The planting beds have an average soil depth of 600mm with drainage cells and filter fabric at the bottom of the planters. The gardens are fully irrigated with an in line drip system.

Evergreen shrubs on the cooler south roof terrace are azaleas, Japanese box, sasanqua camellias and prostrate ‘Blue lagoon’ rosemary with grassy liriope. Pieris japonica with lily-of-the- valley flowers contrasts with Cordyline ‘Red Star’.

Apartment terraces on the roof garden level are divided by contemporary rusty metal structures with patterned holes. These are turning into living walls of the climbers pale blue flowered Sollya heterophylla, Carolina jasmine and star jasmine. When CAPITAl/HOMEMAKER visited two children and their dog were romping on the artificial turf. At night this glows with a constellation of small lights.

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Warren Curry and Randy Goldberg own an apartment in the Viridian complex at Kingston Foreshores. Their balcony faces hills to the east and overlooks Norgrove Park on Printer’s Way with its walking paths and bird life and they

hear the mooing of cows from the paddocks of Pialligo. There is a wonderful eco pond surrounded by casuarinas and native reeds and shrubs which acts as a catchment for storm water off Red Hill which is filtered before it enters lake Burley Griffin.

After living in Concord in Sydney for twenty years they moved to Viridian five years ago and brought with them cuttings and divisions of plants they had grown in Sydney which they regard as ‘pieces of our former home’. There are hippeastrums, three of which came from Warren’s Dad and twenty plants now fill pots.

A five-year-old potted Wollemi pine is bearing male cones, there are petunias, bearded irises, gardenias, blue asters, silvery Convolvulus cneorum, a trio of nandinas with crimson winter foliage and a shiraz azalea.

Both Warren and Randy enjoy gardening and cooking so herbs are favourites with sage, rosemary, garlic, Vietnamese mint, basil, oregano and chillies growing alongside Kaffir lime and bay trees. The plants surround their outdoor dining table.

Warren took us down to a central courtyard at ground level. Under shade sails and a wisteria arbour, residents gathered at Christmas for nibbles and drinks. This was a good opportunity to talk and later recognize faces of other apartment owners.

Rodney Moss of Cox Humphries Moss, architects and planners for Viridian, explained that doughnut developments were often treeless

Warren Curry and Randy Goldberg

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in the middle so they planned for mature trees, including advanced Chinese elms, to be planted to give life to the courtyard from day one. Because car parking is only under the buildings, the ground level trees are deep-rooted and grow in a protected micro-climate. All water is captured in the courtyard.

This is a three dimensional landscape. Pathways run at right angles and there are hidden corners. Shady recesses are planted with lush ferns (Dicksonia Antarctica).. The five-year-old plantings were the work of Redbox Design Group of Fyshwick. Massed grassy lomandra longifolia ‘Tanika’ contrasts with strappy baby bronze flax. Manchurian pear trees ‘Bradford’ and ‘Winterglow’, red maples and honey locust ‘Shademaster’ trees create avenues of shade and colour. Waist-high planter beds are filled with fragrant star jasmine.

A garden committee as part of the body corporate was responsible for adding a herb garden which provides foliage from French tarragon, thyme, basil, rosemary and a bay tree for the kitchens of residents. The group also has input into choosing the best plants for the site and helping to trim shrubs.

Seats next to a walkway of low-growing mallees (Eucalyptus gregsoniana), snow gums with a restricted distribution, provide a tempting place to linger with a book or magazine.

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Canberra’s multi award winning boutique builder specialising in renovations and new homes.

Providing innovating solutions and superior craftsmanship to a variety of projects in the Canberra region.

multi award winning builder

Tel 1300 788 899

www.solitairehomes.com.au Canberra ı Gold Coast

b a t h r o o m s

Leaders in innovative

design, construction

and workmanship.

A new level of service

and professionalism

Multi-Award Winning

Ph: 02 6280 4432 Fx: 02 6280 4231 PO Box 1745 Fyshwick ACT 2609W: www.ajbathrooms.com.au E: [email protected]

Property

Introducing the Tempo Mk11 This exciting new take on the popular three bedroom Tempo design majors on space, especially living space. The expanded family living and meals area extends into the garden, opening to a paved terrace and pergola. The plan also provides for a separate formal living area. Upstairs are three roomy bedrooms, bathroom, ensuite and a study nook. The Tempo Mk11 is offered as one of a duplex pair, rather than as part of a row, so one side wall will always have a garden aspect. It also comes with double lock-up car accommodation with panel lift door, and the stainless steel Blanco appliances in the Tempo kitchen, makes entertaining a pleasure.

Outlook

The Tempo Mk11 features: 3 bedrooms with built-in robes plus study nookOpen plan living and kitchen areaBathroom, ensuite and downstairs powder roomSeparate laundryDouble car accommodation with automatic panel lift doorBlanco kitchen appliances, including electric oven and gas cooktopSlide-out slimline rangehoodWindow furnishing to front roomsRadiant wall panel heatersCeiling fansTransACT Fibre-to-the-home smart wiringLandscaping, fencing and pavingOutdoor pergolaChoice of two internal colour schemes with upgrade packages also available

Terrace style living with room to movelike all the terraces, the Tempo Mk11

comes complete with landscaping, paving and fencing; you can move straight in and enjoy. All the new homes at Crace are designed with a minimum six star energy rating. you can improve this even further with our optional Green Package.

These Tempo Mk11 terraces are in limited supply but hot demand. To be eligible as part of the sales process please register your interest on the Crace website by 15 March, to receive further advice.

To find out more about the selection of terraces at Crace visit the new website crace.com.au or contact the sales and information centre 1800 751 878.

Think a terrace home might be short of space? Crace can change that. Artist Impression

Here at The Framing Store, our in-house

framers have more than 20 years of framing

experience, offering you 100% professional and

friendly support with all your framing needs.

Our goal is exceptional customer service and

we guarantee quality on all of your custom

framing, ranging from memorabilia framing to

canvas stretching.

We also stock Canberra’s largest range of

ready made frames and mirrors, as well as

contemporary hanging systems, DIY framing,

utilising the latest computerised matt cutter

technology, and all framing accessories.

framingstore

the

42 Mort Street Braddon Tel 6162 3344 [email protected]

www.theframingstore.com.au

State-of-the-art ArtiTeq hanging systems is not the only thing we do

5 Framing Store.indd 1 8/03/11 9:05 AM***5 HM Cover.indd 1 8/03/11 10:02 AM

Canberra

Issue Five • 2011

eomemaker

All the trust under the sunKitchens Décor Window Treatments Lighting

@ Magnet MartLIFESTYLE

Queanbeyan Aurora Rd – 6297 8711Gungahlin Crinigan Cir – 6228 9300Phillip Hindmarsh Dr – 6281 1744

Laminex kitchen by

MM

_HM

2402

11. P

T

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issue 5 canberra homemaker

Documents

pod bedsidetable

pod queen bedwerablethe

jesse queen bed

pod range offersexciting

slatsalso available

jesse bedside table

bed linen

domayne stores