the future is bright six sustainable homes · reuse, recycle, reupholster! instead of buying new,...

100+ green building & renovating products; ask our experts; ceiling fans; Australia’s green building codes; hi-tech thermal blinds; 44 pages of inspiring green homes

InsIde Issue 12

The Future is Brightsix sustainable Homes

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An edwards solar hot water system

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Reuse, Recycle, Reupholster! gardening from the ground-up

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Why the smart money is going green

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finishingtouchesA Victorian-period weatherboard in Melbourne gets a sustainable revamp, transforming it into a comfortable and beautiful home.

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alighttouchWith a little passive design, architect Matt Elkan helps a fibro cottage on NSW’s Central Coast make the most of its location.

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spartanstyleIn the coldest reaches of Gippsland a modest new home makes the most of its stunning surrounds by using colour, light and simple design principles.

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keepingitsimpleThe owners of this subtropical Queensland house find that living in and with the environment is a lot better than fighting against it.

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objetd’amourArchitect Colin Brown’s green renovation was planned down to the last detail. Open for Sustainable House Day, it’s a model for inner-city fit-outs.

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firsttimeluckyWhen it came to building their first environmental house, what this Perth couple lacked in dollars and experience they made up for in commitment.

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bankingonagreenhomeSanctuary’s guide to energy ratings and mandatory disclosure; or Why the smart money is going green.

infocus regulars

18 Double-Glazed Skylight18 Draftstopping 38 Nectre Heaters Bakers Oven56 Breezway glass louvres

82 Subscribe to Sanctuary91 Products94 Directory 96 Ask Our Experts

inbrief

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reuse,recycle,reupholster!Instead of buying new, give your sofa a green lease on life by reupholstering with the latest environmentally friendly fabrics.

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beyondWindoWdressingThanks to a new generation of gorgeous, hi-tech thermal blinds, the sun is about to set on your faded drapery.

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doingyourblockBeing left with a barren patch of earth after the builders have gone is a fairly common occurrence. Here’s how to transform that moonscape into a beautiful green oasis.

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ceilingfansCeiling fans are the greenest active cooling method for the home, but with so many ceiling fan models on the market it can be hard to sort the “hot air” from the cool.

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designnotes

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hoUSe pRofile ClifToN hill

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hoUSe pRofile ClifToN hill

A Victorian-period weatherboard in Melbourne gets a sustainable revamp, transforming it into a comfortable and beautiful home.

Finishing touches

Words Fiona negrin PhotograPhy Ben Hosking

Lreversible HPM stainless steel ceiling fans ($149 each) were installed throughout the house. The ceiling in the dining “nook” is finished in wallpaper from Wallpaper Brokers, while the ceiling in the kitchen is finished in a textured wallpaper that replicates pressed metal. The recycled spotted gum dining table was custom made by furniture designer adam stewart.

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hoUSe pRofile wAmbeRAl

ALight touch

With a little passive design, architect Matt Elkan helps a fibro cottage on NSW’s Central Coast make the most of its location.

Words Siobhan o’brien PhotograPhy Simon Whitbread

Lthe northern terrace with its 2m overhang facilitates inside-outside living in the cooler months, with a breakfast nook positioned underneath the kitchen window and an outdoor table for entertaining.

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When the time came for Jenny Palmer to renovate, she knew she would want a sensitive, humble and community-minded design approach. Having lived for ten years in a beaten-up old fibro cottage looking out on a splendid view dreaming about how the house could be better, she also knew she’d want a home that lives in sympathy with its site and microclimate. Says Jenny, “I had a lot of time to think about the renovation, so by the time it came to do it, I knew the block very well – where the sun was at what time of day and time of year.” She enlisted the services of architect Matt Elkan to transform her dreams into reality. Matt is clearly passionate about environmental design. He cut his teeth with the talented Sydney-based architect Virginia Kerridge, but it was an early stint working in the Netherlands which had the greatest impact on his work. “I was based in Maastricht, the oldest city in the Netherlands, which dates from the 1600s,” says Matt. “I arrived there just after graduating from university. From my time there, a few things really stuck with me: the need to conserve built fabric, living in small spaces and the impact of the climate. Australia has only a slightly larger population than the Netherlands, but the Netherlands is only around 200km by 400km. This makes me feel very lucky, as does our temperate climate!”

“The house I designed for Jenny is a real statement about what my client wants from life, for herself and what she believes in,” says Matt. “The project has integrity and credibility. It’s deliberately humble with a modest environmental footprint.” It was the appeal of a temperate climate that seduced Jenny to the Central Coast many years ago. Now she takes full advantage of life in her north-facing home, which – post-renovation – includes north and south facing outdoor living spaces, two metre overhangs (which shade the living and dining room spaces when required) and ample cross ventilation. According to Jenny, “I’m a real lover of the outdoors and I wanted an open plan, free-flowing entertaining area with the kitchen as the focal point. I also wanted indoor spaces flowing into outdoor to take advantage of this house’s great aspect. I frequently entertain, so these elements were certainly important from a lifestyle perspective.”

“I’m a real lover of the outdoors and I wanted an open plan, free-flowing entertaining area with the kitchen as the focal point.”

Jthe north facing eave kicks up to permit plenty of winter light through low-e glazed doors and windows. the materials pallet is kept deliberately simple, with expressed recycled australian hardwood battens and Colorbond roof sheeting.

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hoUSe pRofile NeeRim eAST

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Spartan StyleIn the coldest reaches of Gippsland a modest new home makes the most of its stunning surrounds by using colour, light and simple design principles.

Words Fiona negrin PhotograPhy rhiannon Slatter

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hoUSe pRofile mAgNeTiC iSlANd

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hoUSe pRofile mAgNeTiC iSlANd

The owners of this subtropical Queensland house find that living in and with the environment is a lot better than fighting against it.

Keeping it Simple

Words Francene ridley PhotograPhy robin Gauld

L“living with” is the first and most important step toward sustainability. Troppo’s primary aim is to produce back-to-basics living that encourages the occupants to respond to the site and climate. To be uncomfortable occasionally, in order to appreciate what is on offer. a smaller house accomplishes this by providing just enough – or perhaps not quite enough – space and encouraging occupants to venture out to meet their spatial needs.

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Architect Colin Brown’s green renovation was planned down to the last detail. Open for Sustainable House Day, it’s a model for inner-city fit outs.

ObjetD’AmOur

Words Siobhan o’brien PhotograPhy Tim Wheeler

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Fashion is a Fickle thing. the objet d’amour is hot, then it’s not – but wait a decade or so and suddenly it’s back in vogue. And that applies to everything. Musicians, holiday destinations, even dog breeds have their fifteen minutes of fame. Suburbs are not impervious to such a phenomenon. Take Sydney’s Dulwich Hill. It used to be the neglected ’burb in this city’s inner west. It wasn’t as luxurious as Leichardt or as heritage as Haberfield. Now, it’s almost impossible to buy in. Colin Brown, architect and director of Arena Design Architects, was one of the lucky ones. Says Colin, “We looked at the block in 2007. It was a typical Federation style property with lots of character and many original features such as decorative ceilings that remained intact. It had good bones for a contemporary overlay. It ticked all the boxes for us: four bedrooms, a garden and close proximity to public transport and local schools. We jumped at it!” Colin’s house will be open to the public for viewing on Sustainable House Day, Sunday September 12. Being an architect, Colin is excited by the opportunity to raise awareness of green design through the event, which gives people the opportunity to look inside homes that have been designed, built or fitted out with the environment in mind. “It’s a great opportunity for members of the public to talk to home owners and architects and exchange ideas about how they can make their own homes greener.” One of the best features of this double-fronted property, Colin explains, is its northerly aspect, which “allows for more flexible, adaptable layouts”. To make the most of its orientation, old structures were removed during the renovation and a selection of internal walls reconfigured to allow for the infiltration of natural light. Many of the features of the existing house, such as decorative ceilings, cornices and doors, were retained; while most of the cupboards in the kitchen were recycled. Similarly, a door with a lead-light feature located in the western facade was retained with solar control glass added above it for sun mitigation. The rooms were also given a reshuffle. The fourth bedroom morphed into a multi-function space for study/music/guest accommodation. It now features an internal sliding door and is Colin’s favourite room: “Our lifestyle is busy and chaotic, as we both work and juggle the kids. Weekends revolve around the garden, with friends and family around to enjoy the terrace and trampoline. We’re all into music, so this multi-function space is well used. It has an interesting spatial quality, with the ability to be part of the main spaces or secluded as required. It’s an interesting and successful mix of old and new.” Another space that gets a lot of attention is the terrace and adjacent BBQ area. This zone is designed and oriented to catch winter sun and create summer shade. A feature is a sizeable umbrella, which can be relocated and adjusted to suit the seasons. In-ground sockets located in different positions in the garden mean that the umbrella can be shifted on the whim of the weather.

GColin installed recycled rimu flooring to match existing timber. The skylight to the living room has integral sunshading blinds and electronic control. Furniture in the house is a practical mix of long-held classic 1950s inspired Scandinavian pieces such as the Swan Chair and Fritz hansen 3107 dining chairs, teamed with iKea sofas and accessories.

Da favourite feature is the ability to use the fourth bedroom, with its sliding door, as a multi-function room for guest accommodation/study/music practice. “We’re all into music, so this multi-function space is well used. it has an interesting spatial quality, with the ability to be part of the main spaces or secluded as required.”

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When it came to building their first environmental house, what this Perth couple lacked in dollars and

experience they made up for in commitment.

First time

LuckyWords Gina Morris PhotograPhy TiM silberT

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LThe rammed recycled concrete wall in the kitchen is illuminated by a brilliant band of early autumn light via high-level clerestory windows. The floor is finished in australian hoop pine ply.

“I’m very conscious of utility price rises and the scarcity of resources, so it was very obvious to me to invest in a house that used as little energy and water as possible.”

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GRoUND flooR plAN01 Deck02 rainwater Tank03 bathroom04 living room05 Dining room06 laundry07 Kitchen08 entry09 study10 bedroom 111 bedroom 212 Guest lounge

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the future is bright six sustainable homes · reuse, recycle, reupholster! instead of buying new,...

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