Home Builder Sydney Series: Sustainable Design Considerations

Sustainable design is becoming more common and more important to buyers of house and land packages in NSW and Sydney. Part of the reason is an increased awareness of our impact on the Earth and a desire to minimise challenges that will be faced by future generations. Perhaps more important is that sustainable design offers tangible long-term fiscal benefits, including reduced cost of ownership, improved durability and greater resale value.

Sustainable design has something to appeal to everyone, but not everyone knows what goes into a new home design that reduces our eco-footprint. Here is a look at some of the factors that go into building a new home along sustainable principles:

Home orientation & shading. To minimise exposure and heat build up, the shortest walls should be oriented toward the sun: this means the long axis of the house should run east-west. With this orientation in mind, bedrooms should be located facing south and living areas facing north. Windows and walls can be shaded with eaves, verandas and abundant landscaping, which reduces the impact of direct sunlight on your home.

Building materials & colour considerations. Efficient night time cooling is crucial to sustainable new home design. Building materials should be lightweight and engineered to retain heat minimally and cool quickly. Effective insulation of roof and walls is just as important. Also, the exterior and roof should be light coloured, which reflects more sunlight and heats more slowly.

Ventilation. A design that facilitates cross-ventilation is another way to help reduce energy costs for cooling your new home. A open-plan layout with a minimum of internal walls and hallways allows natural cooling air to flow unimpeded throughout the house. Two windows or doors in each room further optimises ventilation, especially if they are positioned to catch breezes from the south east and north east.

Outdoor rooms & living areas. A centrally located courtyard space helps improve air flow (see ventilation above) and also creates an area that is very usable, especially if you enjoy entertaining. A back veranda is another way to leverage outdoor space to keep you out of your home when it gets too hot.

Sustainable flooring. There are a number of choices for sustainable flooring that are popular when building a new home because they are also attractive, affordable and long-lasting, including:

• Bamboo
• Polished concrete
• Sustainable/recycled carpet
• Recycled timber
• Natural lino (not to be confused with vinyl)

Obviously looking at the above list, reducing energy usage for air conditioning is the major factor that goes into sustainable design for new homes in Sydney. Reducing the need for cooling also drives greatly lessened cost of ownership in the long-term. Other factors speak to using materials that are sustainable by virtue of being recycled or easily replenished.

Whatever your reason for considering a sustainable design when you build a new home, Allworth Homes can help you. We are one of the most experienced and respected new home builders in the Sydney area, contact us to find out how we can turn your ideas into action.

At Allworth Homes we make quality new homesproject homes for our customers in the Sydney and Wollongong areas. Go to https://www.allworthhomes.com.au to see our awesome home plans and find out what we can build for you.

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