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                    4 GORDON CIRCUIT, SEVENTEEN MILE ROCKS
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

sustainable home in the news

Bligh Voller Nield Wins Right to Design Sustainable Home Brisbane GO
Sustainable Homes program - Home Magazine, the Courier-Mail GO
Hon Desley Boyle - Tree-planting ceremony GO
John Mickel Annouces New Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme GO

Talking point - Queensland Government News

Bligh Voller Nield Wins Right to Design Brisbane Sustainable Home

Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman announced today that Bligh Voller Nield (BVN) has won the right to design the Brisbane demonstration home of the Australian-first Sustainable Homes initiative, part of the Year of the Built Environment program running throughout Queensland.

The Lord Mayor announced the winning architect and launched the project which will help promote more cost-effective, energy-efficient, liveable and secure housing across the metropolitan area.

The Sustainable Homes initiative is a national first involving the State Government, local councils and industry across Queensland working together to build a series of houses which will demonstrate the principles of smart housing.

Bligh Voller Nield has been commissioned to design and document the only Brisbane demonstration home to be built at Seventeen Rocks as part of a new subdivision that respects the ecological value of the natural vegetation, animal habitats and the Brisbane River.

Bligh Voller Nield principal Shane Thompson said the firm was pleased to be involved in the Sustainable Homes initiative because its work on the Brisbane home will help set a benchmark in ecologically sensitive housing in the subtropics.

"Our brief for the Brisbane home is to design an elegant, contemporary Queenslander which responds to the views, orientation and site context and reflects the relaxed sub-tropical atmosphere," said Mr Thompson.

"We have been asked to create a vibrant, healthy green home which creates a sense of seamless indoor/outdoor, outdoor spacious living.

"The design team's approach to developing the home design will involve a greater level of consultation with stakeholders than usual; extensive research into the site and ESD factors, construction methods, materials and finishes and will take into account feedback from the general public.

The design team includes the architect Bligh Voller Nield, the project manager Urban Blueprint and builder Natural Lifestyle Homes and specialists in water management, thermal performance, ecology and landscape.

"An integrated team design approach will enhance the creativity of the design process and workshops will be used to encourage everyone involved to think outside their existing frameworks," he said.

Project architect and Bligh Voller Nield National ESD Coordinator Marci Webster-Mannison said the Brisbane demonstration home will respond directly to the regional climate and lifestyle influences.

"The Brisbane home's architectural design and landscaping will be a unique response to the site and the regional sub-tropical environment," said Ms Webster-Mannison.

"As a model for future housing it will demonstrate a more energy efficient, water conscious and healthier approach to the design, construction and use of our homes.

"As the cost of energy and water rises, people living in a green home will be saving money, but more importantly we will be reducing our impact on the natural environment," she said.

Mr Thompson said Bligh Voller Nield's appointment to the Brisbane Sustainable Demonstration Home recognised the firm's commitment to ESD best practice.

"We believe we were chosen for this project because of our approach in delivering innovative, intelligent and principled design solutions that are focused on people and the environment," said Mr Thompson.

"Our work serves as benchmark for sustainable design practice and many of our projects have been recognised with environmental design awards.

"Bligh Voller Nield is proud to be working with the State Government, Brisbane City Council, the Australian Green Development Forum (AGDF) and the rest of the industry and community to set new standards in environmentally sensitive design," he said.

Bligh Voller Nield is a collaborative architecture and design practice that has grown to become one of Australia's largest and most respected design firms with over 75 years experience.

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Sustainable Homes  address crucial need for responsible housing
A good home is comfortable, safe, affordable , easy to maintain and conscious of its surroundings.
Obvious? You'd think so. But sadly, this is not the case. Too many houses today are energy-guzzling, land-hogging disasters that are costly to run and spare no thought for landscape, neighbours or future needs.

In a move aimed at addressing the crucial need for responsible housing, the Queensland Government, local councils and private industry have launches the Sustainable Homes program. It's a breath of fresh air. Construction is already under way on the first of a series of public display homes throughout Queensland. Sustainable Homes program director, architect Wayne Petrie says sustainable housing is simply about good design.

"A sustainable home looks like a normal house but it is more responsive to people's needs now and into the future, as well as improving security and lowering ongoing maintenance costs," he says. "Using 21st century know-how and technology, the program sets out to demystify the meaning of sustainable housing."

Each of the estimated 34 houses to be built across the state will e open for inspection for a minimum of six months. The first houses - at Seventeen Mile Rocks, Brisbane' Zilzie, near Emu Park on the Capricorn Coast, and Toowoomba, west of Brisbane - will be joined by others in areas including Noosa, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville and Caboolture.

Some will be part of residential estates such as Sustainable Home Zilzie which is being build in Seaspray, a $150 million master-planned community. The Sustainable  Home Brisbane is part of the eco-friendly Verandah housing estate at Seventeen Mile Rocks, on the city's west-side.

Some of the houses will be single storey, others two storey. Features will include solar power, rainwater tanks, energy-efficient lighting and designs that blend with their surroundings.

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Sustainable Home Brisbane sets new benchmark for future house design

“A new sustainable house being built in Brisbane's western suburbs will set benchmarks for future house designs in Queensland”, Environment Minister Desley Boyle says.

As part of the Sustainable Homes program, a tree planting ceremony at the building site in Seventeen Mile Rocks officially marked the start of construction.

Under the program, more than 15 display homes will be built across Queensland, before being open to the public to showcase sustainable design features.

"The Brisbane sustainable home will feature passive solar design, renewable energy, energy-efficient lighting and appliances, water sensitive design, use of low allergen and low-toxicity materials, and a universal design for improved accessibility," Ms Boyle said.

"The home is expected to be completed early in 2006 and will be open for viewing for six months. I hope it inspires people to adopt practices that are more liveable, safe, secure, environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient", Ms Boyle said.

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New Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme for Queensland

The State Government is introducing a new water efficiency labelling scheme to help Queensland households reduce water consumption by up to five per cent, and save money on water and energy bills.

By July 2006, all new washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, showers and some types of taps and urinals will carry a star rating according to their water efficiency, with six stars being the most water efficient.

Acting Environment Minister, Mr John Mickel said, "The expected uptake of water efficient products means that by 2021 Queensland will be saving an estimated 18,836 megalitres of water per year - the equivalent of 9418 Olympic sized swimming pools.”

"By simply choosing more efficient appliances, consumers can also save about $110 per year on water and energy bills through reduced water use and water heating costs”.

Mr Mickel said the legislation is part of a national approach called the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme (WELS).

The WELS initiative had the potential to reduce Queensland's per-capita water consumption, which in turn could:

  • reduce water demand on catchments;
  • defer building new dams and water supply infrastructure;
  • reduce household water consumption and water heating bills;
  • reduce water and effluent discharge to waterways;
  • lower sewage and water supply treatment and pumping costs for local governments; and
  • decrease Queensland's greenhouse gas emissions through reductions in hot water usage.

He said the WELS scheme would replace the voluntary National Water Conservation Rating and Labelling Scheme (commonly known as the AAA scheme), administered by the Water Services Association of Australia. 

"Manufacturers will have until 1 July, 2006 to comply and the labelling scheme will apply to the use of designated products in residential, commercial and industrial buildings and allows for the scheme to be broadened covering additional products," Mr Mickel said.

More information can be obtained from the Environmental Protection Agencies Sustainable Industries Division, WaterWise Program and the Australian Government's Department of Environment and Heritage website.

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