Q. Where is the Sustainable Home Brisbane?
A. The home is located at 4 Gordon Circuit, Seventeen Mile Rocks (where Fort Road and Fremont Streets meet).
Q. When will the Sustainable Home Brisbane be open?
A. 17 June to 17 December 2006
Q. Will the sustainable home show us anything we could do to our own home?
A. The home is not only for new home builders - it contains many ideas for renovating and fitting out existing homes. You can get a range of ideas for a new extension, choice of water and energy efficient appliances and fittings, accessible door furniture or productive garden design .
Q. Why is Australian Green Development Forum administering this project?
A. AGDF is proud to take a leading role in promoting sustainability and educating the community about just how readily we can all make our homes work for us - and the environment.
Q. How much does the house cost?
A. The Sustainable Home Brisbane home is being constructed for around $550,000 which is considered comparable to homes in the surrounding development. The single storey alternative that Bligh Voller Nield have designed would cost around $250,000 to build.
Q. Does a sustainable home have to be expensive to build?
A. No, the key is good design. Home builders can incorporate simple principles into their design that will not cost anything. For example, through careful consideration of orientation and internal layout, a home builder can fully utilise the benefits of the winter sun and summer cooling breezes, which can dramatically reduce heating and cooling costs.
Q. Is the Sustainable Home Brisbane only relevant to people building a new home?
A. No, the home provides important sustainable design and building ideas for new home builders, renovators, people in the building industry, schools, universities and the wider community. It showcases many products and ideas suitable for retrofitting an existing home and contains lots of extremely useful information.
Q. Will anyone live in the home when it is completed?
A. No, the home will operate as a display home for at least a six-month period.
Q. How will you know how effective the home is?
A. A monitoring system has been installed at the home. An Honours student at Griffith University will investigate the home's thermal performance as a part of honours research.
Q. What does 'universal access' mean?
A. Universal access is a term that implies the home will be accessible and liveable by people of all abilities.
Q. Can I get more information about the greywater system?
A. Yes, as soon as this information is finalised we will add this to the website. Prior to installing a greywater system you will need to apply to your local council for approval.
Q. Can I organise a tour through the home for my group?
A. Yes, the home is open for inspection by groups. Please make a booking for a guided tour by contacting the AGDF on 07 3846 5499.
Q. Can I become involved in the project?
A. Yes, AGDF is encouraging people to join the group of committed volunteers who are happy to show people the key features of the home. Our volunteers have received free training by leading industry experts.
Q. What will happen to the home at the end of the display period?
A. At the end of the display period the home will be sold.