Sustainable Home, Maximise Human Comfort, Australia

Aug 26, 2014

Sustainable Home, Maximise Human Comfort

Far North Queensland, Australia

This affordable 9.5 star energy rated display home demonstrates ‘lifetime home’ principles where every aspect of the property was designed with sustainability in mind. Sophie Barrett from Green at Heart has done a wonderful job designing one of the highest energy-rated houses in Cairns to maximise human comfort in this tropical climate. The passive design elements that have been focused on to help maximise human comfort include the orientation of the house, shading, cross ventilation, open plan living and colour selection. Altair Louvre Windows have therefore been incorporated to assist with natural cross ventilation so the need for air conditioning is significantly reduced to keep the home at a comfortable temperature throughout the day. The four bedroom residential design was constructed with a $250,000 budget and incorporates Altair Louvres in an Easyscreen Frame with standard handles along with Breezway’s new Stronghold Window System to provide added strength and security. “Maximising natural air flow is crucial when designing cool homes for the tropics. We know that good quality Altair Louvres were the only option for this project.” Kent Hams (Director, Kenick Constructions) Project Date: September 2012 Building Designer – Sophie Barrett Green at Heart +61 7 4038 3558 Builder – Kent Hams/Rachel Whymark Kenick Constructions +61 7 4039 3333 www.kenickconstructions.com.au/

Return to Project Profiles

Satori Hinterland Home, Rural Surroundings, Australia

Aug 26, 2014

Satori Hinterland Home, Rural Surroundings

Eumundi, Queensland, Australia

This award winning project located on the outskirts of Eumundi in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland has been designed by Gerard Smith (Winner of the 2012 BDA Design Excellence Award). Gerard has transformed what was originally a tired run-down three bedroom block home, into a breath-taking masterpiece that makes the most of its natural, rural surroundings. The house has an impressive open plan design that seamlessly connects with the stunning landscape. In addition, new living spaces have been created to open up to natural light and fresh air through the use of solar passive design principles. There are large expanses of glazing throughout the house to enable panoramic views of the surrounding bushland. Altair Louvre Windows have been incorporated above the sliding doors in the living room and strategically placed in other rooms of the house to take advantage of fresh breezes to keep the house at a comfortable temperature. The open plan design extends out to a beautiful grand alfresco area with an elevated external roof structure which also allows high volumes of light and cross ventilation to enter the home. This design brings about a feeling of spaciousness for building occupants to enjoy an uninterrupted connection with the natural beauty of the outdoor environment. Using natural materials to create an impressive interior, the house stylishly integrates with the lush, green landscape. The warmth and texture of the environment reflects the timber joinery used in the house and works well against the coolness of the polished concrete flooring. The owners have named the development ‘Satori’ in recognition of its spiritual significance as a zone of enlightenment in the quest to understand the nature of existence. Awards:

Four Regional, State and National Category Awards for Residential Alternations and Additions.
One State and one National Category Award for Residential Interiors.
Two State Awards for Kitchens and Bathrooms.
One State Design Excellence Award.
Gerard Smith won the Queensland’s Premier Award for Satori in 2011.

Project Date: July 2012 Building Designer: Gerard Smith Mojo Design Tel: +61 7 5447 5394

Return to Project Profiles

Hideaway Home, Passive Solar Design, Australia

Aug 26, 2014

Hideaway Home, Passive Solar Design

Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Passive solar design principles have been incorporated into this home to welcome the northern light towards the front of the house and the picturesque scenic parkland views to the south. The home has been designed to take advantage of its natural surroundings from every angle in the house. The contemporary blend of landscaped gardens, blue waters of the swimming pool and tranquil water gardens offer building occupants a sense of peace and calmness when viewing the outdoors from inside the wide open plan living space. This double-storey home is connected to two large alfresco areas through large sliding doors and multiple bays of Altair Louvre Windows that open up the home to such glorious views and natural fresh air. Altair Louvre Windows have also been incorporated around the water garden to allow maximum access to northern light and cooling breezes for building occupants on the ground level to enjoy. This project won the BDAA award for residential buildings between 351m2 to 450m2. Project Date: July 2012 Building Designer – Gerard Smith Mojo Design +61 7 5447 5394 www.mojodesign.net.au

Return to Project Profiles

InsulLiving House, Energy Rated, Australia

Aug 26, 2014

InsulLiving House, Energy Rated

Burpengary, Queensland, Australia

With an 8 star energy rating, the InsulLiving house has revolutionised the building industry where homes can now be built 34% faster. The amount of trades and materials required to build these types of homes have been significantly reduced due to a more simplified design and construction method. This also improves the energy efficiency (and energy savings) of the building that will impact our environment for years to come.

Altair Louvres were incorporated into this sustainable home in Queensland to help maximise ventilation and reduce the reliance on air conditioning. The energy efficient louvres specified into the project are Black Satin Altair Louvre Windows in Component Form with a mixture of 152mm Western Red Cedar timber blades, Tinted Glass and Satina Glass blades. Security screens have also been installed on the exterior side of the window for added safety and protection from insects. An Altair Powerlouvre Window has been installed up high in the living room and is connected to the smart automation system to automatically open at particular times of the day to allow hot rising air to escape while the lower level louvres allow cooling breezes to flow in and naturally reduce the temperature of the room.

These products were specified to assist with the principles of the design to show that an energy efficient house can be achieved and still have the look and feel of a typical modern Australian home. As a result, the InsulLiving home is aesthetically pleasing, costing far less to build and in much less time with ongoing savings to the homeowner.

This project was conceived and constructed by Bondor®, and was completed in August 2011. Bondor’s ‘InsulLiving’ project has won the Queensland Industry Innovation Award at 2012 HIA – CSR Queensland Housing Awards for its energy efficient home system.

Project Date: April 2012

Builder – Steve Cramb
Bondor
1300 300 099
http://www.insulliving.com.au

Return to Project Profiles