HERO BUILDING

Sustainability is far more than a buzzword that pays lip service to eco-friendly building. It’s a holistic way of thinking that just might save the planet

- CARROL BAKER

You might think a sustainable build includes swathes of eco-friendly measures such as reclaimed timber, earthy natural stone, and any number of energy-efficient gadgets. While those things certainly have some ecological clout, that's only part of the story.

Sustainability really is an all-inclusive approach to design and building. Shaun Lockyer from Shaun Lockyer Architects says the first principle of sustainability is the way a home responds to climate, context, breezes, thermal mass and heat loads. "That really goes to the heart of things, being intelligent with the way you compose the building, then you get into devices that can aid sustainability such as batteries, solar and water tanks, then appliances," he explains.

Designing and building thermally efficient homes, and reducing waste and pollution in building them, is vital. Madeline Sewall from Breathe Architecture says building operations make up 28 per cent of global carbon emissions. "At Breathe we focus on balancing light, ventilation and shading with airtight and well-insulated thermal envelopes to create healthy homes that are effortless to live in and reduce our impact on the planet," she says.

BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER

Careful planning can ultimately give you a well-designed home with a smaller footprint. Chris Bligh from Bligh Graham Architects says there is one fundamental thing we could be doing differently to embrace cleaner greener living. "Build less and build better," he says. "Our houses are too large; rather than put money into a big home, invest in a well-designed building that is climatically responsive, that allows us to connect to nature better. Our kids are growing up in airconditioned boxes with no outdoor space."