Local inspiring eco-friendly homes to open virtually for Sustainable House Day

Some of Maroondah’s most environmentally progressive homes are among more than 130 houses opening their doors virtually across the country as part of this year’s Sustainable House Day on Sunday 17 October.

This year, Sustainable House Day is giving the public a chance to take a virtual tour of homes that have been designed, built or renovated with sustainability in mind. You can now take a virtual tour of some locally featured homes – in Ringwood East, Heathmont and Warranwood – as well as meeting their owners.

Take a virtual tour

Unlike previous years, this year’s event will be preceded by a month of webinars with experts and homeowners, including the main free event on 17 October.

The only national event of its kind, Sustainable House Day provides the opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most unique and inspiring homes, and learn from the people who design them, built them and live in them.

Councillor and Chair of the Maroondah Environment Advisory Committee, Marijke Graham, said the event was a great way for the general public to see real sustainable projects in action.

“Council is proud to again be supporting Sustainable House Day and we hope that as many residents as possible take advantage of this year’s virtual event to see what’s possible in sustainable living,” Cr Graham said.

“Council is working towards a clean, green and sustainable community as set out in Maroondah 2040: Our future together by encouraging community participation towards greater involvement in sustainability issues and promoting the adoption of more sustainable lifestyles,” she said.

“Assessing your home for climate change adaptability and using plants and vegetation to help cool down your home and outdoor spaces are just some of the simple ways residents can get started.”

Sustainable House Day is run by not-for-profit Alternative Technology Association (ATA) and is sponsored by the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.

Explore participating homes by visiting Sustainable House Day 2021.

Green home build

The light-filled contemporary Ringwood East home is an example of what is possible when sustainability is embedded in the design DNA.

For owners Howard and Libby Elston, the key to building a sustainable home is following good passive solar design principles that work with the locate climate.

“Sunlight is all we need on clear, cold days. When it’s cloudy, we use the heat pump to stop the concrete slab thermal mass cooling too much. During the day, our house captures solar energy in a thermal mass. As night approaches, we rely on good insulation in the ceiling, walls and underfloor to keep the warmth inside,” explains Howard.

In addition to using recycled materials and renewable energy, the owners wanted to be sensitive to the existing environment and topography and sought the help of local nursery CRISP in sourcing mostly indigenous plants for landscaping.

“There’s no better person to ask about the pros and cons, pitfalls and benefits of a sustainable home than somebody who is living in one. This design demonstrates the benefits of working with nature, rather than using technology to overcome shortcomings,” said Howard.

The home is currently a nominee in the 2021 Sustainability Awards in Single Dwelling (New) and Smart Building Ideas categories.

View Green Home Build

Green design

Homeowner Janine designed her house 16 years ago with the aim of reducing her environmental impact.

Her passive solar home features an exposed concrete slab, which helps regulate the house’s temperature year-round. During autumn and spring, a ventilation system that extracts heated air in the roof cavity can be pumped back into the house as supplementary heating.

The house uses renewable energy, as well as recycled materials.

“More and more people are realising that your home doesn’t need to look like a mud brick house, but that it’s about using alternative building products that are responsive to the local climate,” she said.

She adds that simple changes like using solar energy and rainwater, and using recycled material where possible, needn’t cost the earth.

View Green Design

Heathmont haven

This home in Heathmont has been designed and built along passive house principles and has an above-minimum energy star rating of 7.4.

Completed in May 2020, the house was designed as a forever home, incorporating wide hallways for wheelchair suitability and lift access. It is also energy and water efficient, where possible.

“I’ve always been interested in environmental issues, gardening and sustainability and the opportunity to build my own sustainable dream house came about, when in 2016, I began the process of subdividing my one-acre block in Heathmont into three lots: one with the original family home, plus two vacant blocks,” says owner Rebecca.

“My youngest daughter and I put the concept together and an architectural draftsman friend took all of our ideas and made them into a practical and (I think) beautiful home.”

Surrounding gardens encompass locally indigenous plantings, deciduous trees on the north side, chooks, veggies, compost and worm farm.

View Heathmont Haven

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