What makes a home sustainable?

Sustainable building design intentionally aims for the most positive outcome for the environment, the community and the occupants throughout construction, for the life of the building and beyond.

A home can be designed to be energy efficient, to be a high performing building, but making the whole build sustainable will come down to the decisions you make as the owner. 

• Operational Energy (cost of living, greenhouse emissions)
• Embodied Energy (carbon footprint)
• Resilience (climate change, future purposes)
• Indoor Air Quality (health)
• Accessibility
• Water collection, use, disposal
• Ecological diversity
• Social design
• Economic benefits
• Ethical choices

Passive solar design* utilises the building’s structure and fabric to harness the energy of the sun, earth, water, air and building materials to stabilise internal temperatures and maintain air quality with minimal mechanical intervention.

Passive solar design starts with some basic local environmental conditions research, and then is developed through a combination of building orientation (protection from east and western sun, shielding and capture of northern sun), strategic placement of the different zones within the home, positioning of glazing types across the different compass directions, introduction or use of existing shading, key placement of thermal mass, in conjunction with capturing or deflecting natural breeze paths.

* Not to be confused with PassivHaus design – which is a rigorous performance based modelling and certification system originating in Europe, based on similar principles of passive solar design, but with a much heavier focus on the building envelope, airtightness and mechanical ventilation.

An energy efficient home is designed to use the least amount of energy required to maintain healthy and comfortable occupants year after year. By design, it is focused specifically on occupant comfort year round.

4305 Design supports (we always aim to exceed) the targets of Australia’s National Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings.

Energy efficient design begins with passive solar design, and then goes deeper with the application of suitable insulation to the full building envelope, shading of glazing and walls, detailed selection of glazing options for the range of orientations and exposure level, materials selections, thermal break preventions, external color schemes and airtightness.

It is extremely important when designing an energy efficient home to develop a management plan for indoor air quality and condensation control both in the home itself, and also in the structural cavities. This is managed through a combination of structural design, construction detailing and smart fixtures and appliances. 

Building design that caters specifically for differently abled people is referred to as accessible design.

Retrofitting an existing older home to add mobility supports in a bathroom, to improve access at entrys and to widen doorways is out of reach financially to the average Australian pensioner due to the extent of works and related costs of construction required to implement. For example, a bathroom reconfiguration alone will cost $25,000 or more as the entire room will need to be stripped to frame level and rebuilt with labor from 7+ separate licensed trades.

Since 2022, the National Construction Code of Australia has included some basic livable housing design principles as mandatory law. The idea is to support the principle of “aging in place” where elderly persons are able to remain living in their homes for longer as this supports positive mental health for seniors, is nationally cost effective, and is inexpensive to implement at construction stage. The changes are simple – wider entry doors, reinforcing to bathroom walls, level entry thresholds.  The long term results will save future generations not just money, but also avoid significant lifestyle disruption in later life.

4305 design incorporates a plan for occupant aging in place as a founding principle. We also aim to incorporate, where possible, other accessibilty features in the case of unexpected life changes (anyone who lived in a highset queenslander with a broken leg will know what we mean!).

An individual approach is required for specific needs outside of the minimum national mandatory requirements. Inclusive design has many levels of speciality, from low level ambulant to high physical dependancy, or custom solutions such as visual or audible support, high durability, automation… 

Found the perfect slice of rural heaven and planning to build your forever home? Here are a few key points to consider as you start out:

1. Access: The Foundation of Your Project

Access is the most critical part of your entire project. You’ll need to establish reliable, all-weather access for both light and heavy vehicles to support the construction phase. While a sealed track may not always be necessary, it becomes essential if the gradient is steep. In such cases, asphalt sealing over a properly formed track ensures trucks can deliver construction materials safely to the site. Additionally, a turning circle of up to 12 meters onsite may be mandatory rather than optional, depending on site specific regulations.

2. Water Supply: The Lifeline of Your Home

Water is the second most vital element of your rural design. While humans can survive without power, water is non-negotiable. Planning for collection, use, reuse, reserves, and dispersal requires technical expertise to ensure your site remains habitable and fire-defensible. Each region has specific laws regarding minimum water supply requirements, and incorporating a gravity-fed system is critical for maintaing supply in the case of an unplanned power outage.

3. Power Supply: Going Off-Grid

Off-grid power is now more achievable than ever. When planning your power system, prioritize durability and onshore maintenance support over simply choosing the cheapest option. This is especially crucial for self-sustainable living. Future-proofing your system is equally important, as advancements in this rapidly evolving field may allow for upgrades down the line. Your power system will also influence appliance selections for your new home.

4. The Local Environment: A Key Influencer

The local environment will significantly shape your design. Environmental overlays such as creek or waterway buffers, slope stability, erosion prevention measures, and flora or fauna protection (e.g., koala habitats, ancient forests, or cultural landmarks) can affect the position of your dwelling and supporting infrastructure like wastewater and stormwater systems.

Wind speeds and storm risks are often major factors in rural designs, impacting structural requirements and sometimes the overall site location. For example, an ideal rural hilltop site with panoramic views may need to meet stringent cyclonic ratings.

5. Bushfire Safety: Plan Ahead

Bushfire safety can have a substantial impact on your budget and design details. Engaging a consultant to assess risks and provide management strategies is essential. This will influence water supply design, access, landscaping, and the construction of the dwelling itself. Even if your site is outside a registered bushfire overlay, incorporating basic bushfire protection measures is crucial to ensure your home is defendable against ember attacks and small fires.

6. Security: Practical and Proactive

Security is often overlooked in rural design but can be addressed with simple strategies. Designing living and working spaces with clear lines of sight to sheds and entry points improves personal security. Incorporating modern fixtures and appliances that offer remote monitoring and operation adds convenience and peace of mind.

For example, the ability to monitor water tank levels or remotely control pumps can save an entire year’s supply of rainwater from being wasted while you’re away. Integrating such solutions from the concept stage can save time, stress, and resources.

Final Thoughts

Building a resilient, durable rural home requires thoughtful planning and collaboration with an experienced team. By addressing these key considerations, you’ll create a home that’s not only functional and sustainable but also capable of being cherished by future generations.

The “raise and build in” renovation is an extremely popular option in South East Queensland, as it allows for the addition of a new level beneath the existing dwelling without the need for extensive demolition or excavation. This is particularly advantageous for traditional timber-framed and clad homes with elevated subfloors, which are often highly adaptable and can be easily relocated and raised to allow for new additions.

However, it is important to note that such renovations often require significant restoration work, and various areas of the dwelling may need upgrading to meet current National Construction Code requirements. This may involve the removal of asbestos, replacement of roof sheeting, new wiring and plumbing, and the addition of insulation, vapor barriers, and ventilation.

It is also recommended to replace gas appliances with energy-efficient alternatives and install rooftop solar, which can further improve the energy efficiency of the home. The original cladding can often be retained with a clean up and repaint, but where replacement is necessary, the opportunity can be taken to add insulation and vapor membranes to the external walls.

For traditional Queenslander homes, the front wall is usually single skin, which is not thermally efficient. To improve this, additional framing with insulation and membrane can be installed, and another lining of VJ can be added to the external face while replicating the original frame detail to maintain the traditional character.

There are also constraints that apply to modifications of pre-war housing, such as stepped back lower stories on the street elevation, avoiding a dominating carport/garage view, matching original roof lines and pitches, limiting the height to two stories, and adhering to street front setbacks, privacy screens, and fire safety requirements.

Overall, the “raise and build in” renovation is a cost-effective and sustainable option for homeowners looking to expand their living space while maintaining the character and tradition of their existing home. However, it is important to work with a building certifier and town planner to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and constraints.

If you’re looking to expand your living space, an extension can range anywhere from the depth of a cupboard to a complete new dwelling attached to the existing.

4305 design can help you identify your needs, assess your current dwelling and site, and provide information to help you make decisions for the future of your property.

Whether you need an additional bedroom or bathroom or your current layout is inadequate, we can assist you in clarifying constraints and identifying opportunities to achieve your desired outcome.

A best outcome for your project and budget can usually be achieved by engaging a designer to resolve your biggest challenges in the existing dwelling, rather than coming to a designer with a non-negotiable preconceived plan. With our ongoing training, years of experience and knowledge of both legal and structural constraints, we will help you develop the highest results for the least amount of work. If you do have a non-negotiable preconceived plan for your project ready, then you may actually be looking to engage a draftsperson not a building designer. 

Energy efficiency retrofits are a valuable investment when renovating, as they can result in significant cost savings, improved comfort and health for occupants, and a reduction in carbon emissions. By reducing energy consumption, retrofits can help to lower electricity bills and reduce the carbon footprint of a building. There are very few and rare cases where a knock down rebuild is a sustainable choice. 

In Australia, energy production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing the energy usage of buildings is an important strategy for mitigating climate change. The government’s National Construction Code includes minimum building efficiency requirements, but the lack of consistent adoption across all states and industries means that emissions reductions are falling short of what is needed.

Retrofitting existing housing stock is becoming increasingly important in light of the growing intensity of natural disasters such as storms, heatwaves, bushfires, and floods. Retrofits can range from low-cost measures such as replacing appliances and adding insulation to more comprehensive upgrades such as building cladding, ventilation, and glazing.

Investing in energy efficiency retrofits can not only benefit individual homeowners but also contribute to a more sustainable future for all. Governments, businesses, and individuals can all play a role in promoting and adopting energy-efficient practices and technologies to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change, but ultimatley it needs us, the consumers, to lead this change.

Character home design respects and complements the heritage and history of a building, site and area. South East Queensland’s traditional “queenslander” historic architecture is distinctly unique to the region and the era. The preservation of the remaining character housing style in designated areas is managed through the local government planning laws.

Design from a ‘Traditional’ perspective includes respectful exterior cladding, color schemes, rooflines and street frontage (heights, setbacks, fencing, access, finishing details). A ‘pre war’ house will have stricter development constraints than a ‘post war’ house. Specific constraints to works being undertaken on a home in a ‘Character Housing Overlay’ are prescribed in the local government planning law. 

Design from a ‘Heritage’ perspective is much more prescriptive, with fewer variations in choice when it comes to overall look and finishes, and may require specialist mastercraftsmen to recreate aspects as originally built. Heritage listing is applied to buildings that are truly magnificent in their own right, and thoroughly deserve the extra level of preservation and care due to their longevity or significance to the region. 

We are superbly proud that our work on Ipswich character homes is used as an example by the local government to demonstrate respectful development within the character overlays.