Keen to start living more sustainably? Get to know the ins and outs of having a more planet-friendly home
LOVE THE IDEA OF A SUSTAINABLE HOME BUT NOT SURE WHAT’S INVOLVED OR THE COSTS? OUR GO-TO GUIDE HAS THE ANSWERS
We may live in the age of the McMansion, but many of us are starting to think seriously about our homes and living in ways that can be kinder to the planet. Call it eco-friendly, green or sustainable; it’s all pretty much the same thing – and it could be the solution if we want lower bills and healthier, more comfortable living spaces.
Of course, sustainability means different things to different people. For some homeowners, it might mean seeking out old railway sleepers to make shelves instead of heading to IKEA, installing a few solar panels or growing a vegetable garden in the backyard.
For architects and builders in the sustainability space, it’s about far more. Taking advantage of thermal mass to keep a home’s temperature stable is key – as are choices such as breathable wall systems, rainwater tanks and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products for fewer chemicals and emissions.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or renovating, sustainable design and building are intertwined. “The two go together because a big component of sustainable design is getting the orientation and the layout of the house right so that it requires minimal heating or cooling,” says Darryn Parkinson, design and construction director at Your Abode (yourabode.com.au), a Sydney company that specialises in eco-friendly builds. “The sun can heat your house and breezes can cool it – and you want to be taking advantage of these free resources as much as possible.”
the right materials
It’s not just about the layout. The materials you choose are also important. Lightweight, durable, prefabricated products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) can speed up construction and bring extra thermal benefits to a building. Hempcrete is another product you may have heard about on shows such as Grand Designs – and for good reason. It’s a fire- and termite-resistant biocomposite material made from hemp and lime. It offers superior insulating and soundproofing properties, keeps the air in the building healthier and can even prevent damp and mould.
For architects who are passionate about sustainability, such as Sue Connor from Sue Connor Architects in Sydney (sueconnor.com.au), such products are a game changer. “Research and education show us that less is more,” says Sue. “We’re moving forward with new materials and new ways of construction, or using the same materials but in a more energy-efficient way that promotes the building’s longevity.”
why would you want to ‘go green’?
The motivations for adopting sustainable home design are numerous. “Some families might suffer allergies and respiratory illnesses,” says Darryn. “Their motivation is creating a healthy environment free from manufactured, synthetic material, so you might use low-VOC products with natural materials. Other people might be living in a house that’s either freezing cold or boiling hot, and that motivates them to seek