The Brisbane home that shows 8.7 NaTHERS needn’t cost the earth
Many people wanting to build their dream home think energy efficiency and sustainability come at a price premium thanks to costly add-ons.
Case Studies
How to accelerate deep retrofits in buildings
Two new publications – one from Europe and one from New York – reveal case studies on deep energy retrofits.
Mainstreaming low carbon design
Low carbon design provides a cost-effective way of improving performance that can be adopted for all buildings. Now, clear guidance on how to achieve such designs is available in a series of free, technical guides.
Blackwattle Mews reveals the future for mid-rise strata energy use
There’s a triple win for strata communities adding solar PV, an embedded electricity network and EV charging as part of a retrofit package – lower energy bills, lower carbon emissions and improved capital values.
Turning a beast of a building into a beautiful high performer
The Fifth Estate turned to experts from engineering, architecture and development to find out the opportunities for refurbishing or repurposing older buildings, and the key factors for success.
How ICC’s precinct-scale thermal plant works
Case study: Among the sustainability initiatives that made the International Convention Centre at Sydney’s Darling Harbour an awards and ratings magnet, a working example of a precinct-scale central energyplantis the star.
Repair and nature-sensitive design at Venice Architecture Biennale
Buildings should work with natural systems, not obstruct them, according to Melbourne architect Louise Wright, one of the creative directors of the Architecture Biennale, which opens in Venice in May.
Case study: Check out this “occupant-proof” net zero home
All homes should aim to be net zero, according to Robert McVicker, the owner and builder of a home that produces more energy and water than it uses.
New carbon positive eco-home hits The Cape
Wonthaggi, Victoria home designer Beaumont Concepts has developed a new sustainable home design that can be built from 6-10 star NatHERS.
Case study: a small home with a big vision
A small home project in Geelong is showcasing a way to address some of the big issues in the residential sector, including affordability, density, build quality and sustainability.
Case study: a tiny home with a big vision
A small home project in Geelong is showcasing a way to address some of the big issues in the residential sector, including affordability, density, build quality and sustainability.
The incredible challenge of water-positive development in rural Australia
Many of the Living Building Challenge petals have been designed into two Castlemaine developments without too much trouble. Yet one petal, the water petal, has been an incredible challenge.
Post-earthquake house takes out World Architecture Festival awards
A post-earthquake prototype house has been declared Building of the Year at World Architecture Festival, held last week in Berlin.
Carinity puts environmental stewardship at core of its aged care operations
Sustainability makes both ethical and financial sense, according to Queensland aged care provider Carinity, which is trying to turn nursing homes’ poor reputation on its head with a more engaging, nature-focused experience.
Age no barrier as Observatory Tower outperforms younger buildings
When smart management works with a committed owners corporation, major gains can be made without breaking the capex budget, as one premium Sydney apartment building has shown.
Case study: A sustainability makeover breathing new life into an old building
LaSalle Investment Management is turning an outdated 1980s commercial building into a sustainable success story, showing that millions of dollars in capital expenditure (capex) is not needed to create premium outcomes.
Corruption concerns over NSW’s mandatory planning panel push
Property lobby groups are overjoyed by the NSW government’s announcement it will install mandatory planning panels to approve development applications, but the local government sector and opposition parties say there are probity and accountability issues.
How digital tech and big data is transforming buildings
Digital technology and big data promise a range of benefits to building developers, owners and tenants, including increased rental yields, improved employee retention and lower operational costs. The property sector, however, is behind others in realising technology’s enormous potential, a new report from Arup has found. Reimagining Property in a Digital World says the ways […]
Case study: Why heat pumps now trump gas hot water
With gas prices escalating, the search is on for a cheaper way to heat hot water in apartment complexes. Surprisingly, one of the more economical solutions is electricity in the form of electric heat pumps – and there are environmental benefits too. Wattblock, an organisation specialising in reducing energy costs for strata apartments, recently presented […]
Rialto: how to transform a Melbourne giant
SPECIAL REPORT: There’s a view that old buildings can’t perform. Rialto shows it’s that thinking that’s outdated. In this building, good bones means age is no impediment to making a building commercially and environmentally sustainable. Here’s how.
How to make old houses energy-efficient
A 100-year old Victorian cottage in Albert Park with terrible thermal and energy performance is now achieving six star NatHERS and high air tightness following renovation and extension.
Case study: Google Head Office interior, South Africa
It’s fair to say that pretty much everyone has heard of Google, but not everyone may know that the company is actively working to prevent its colossal global presence from causing colossal environmental damage.
Case study: The Carbon Positive House
How to build a (sustainable) world in a day. Annie Kane discovers how Archiblox is building a cutting-edge sustainable house in just six hours.
Case study: 5×4 Hayes Lane living proof sustainable can be affordable
Ralph Alphonso’s groundbreaking 5×4 Hayes Lane project in East Melbourne is complete, and now he’s been living and working in it for the past two months, he says all the theories and risk-taking are proving their worth.
Case study: Australia’s first Passivhaus education building
Generation Z don’t know how good they have it. Having never lived in a time without the internet, mobile phones, or social media, these millennials are used to constantly asking the world for more, faster, and at its earliest convenience.
Case study: The beauty of persisting with sustainable aims in mind
Civil construction engineer Joe Bordonaro ventured into developing an apartment project with a very clear goal – to create a sustainable home he would want to live in.
Case study: Sawmill House
Balanced along the edge of a former gold mine quarry in Yackandandah, Victoria, Sawmill House is a poetic example of young Melbourne and Hobart-based studio Archier’s belief in open, culturally responsive design. A key feature of the residence is the use of recycled concrete blocks to form the dwelling’s outer perimeter. Sawmill explores the adaptable […]
GE’s new Springfield HQ keeps ESD core
Springfield, Queensland is using high building sustainability standards to attract major corporations to the masterplanned city’s commercial office precinct, according to Congrad Gargett project architect Annissa Farrell, and GE’s $72 million headquarters is a great example.
Gardenhill’s pet-friendly take on high-density living
Beulah International’s $77 million multi-residential Gardenhill project in Doncaster in Melbourne’s east is the first in the metropolitan area to create a dog-friendly development with a private off-leash garden area, according to BI director Adelene Teh.
Case study: How Auckland Council found big savings going green
Auckland Council’s new headquarters show how green building can save operational costs and reduce waste during construction.