Grand & Green Design

Australia is developing at a rapid rate. Driving through some parts of our "sunburned country" is almost like driving through a megalopolis: where the landscape was once punctuated with towns and cities, it is now the landscape that is doing the punctuating. Although it’s nQo wonder that this has happened when you come across figures such as the Australian Bureau of Statistic’s estimation that our current population at almost 21 million, with a continued population growth of two births for every death.

Australia, like the rest of the globe, has numerous crises looming over our heads and under our feet, literally. We can start making a change for the better by creating a sustainable home environment – pocketing some cash along the way and spoiling ourselves, not spoiling the planet.

Power down
Electricity: our lives have become inextricably linked to it as we demand more as a consumer. Televisions, computers, refrigerators, washing machines, air-conditioners, kettles, and toasters – I could go on. In the face of increasing prices these hungry appliances cost us anywhere from 24c to 40c a day to run each, not to mention the cost on the environment.

Making little changes around the home all help. Start with turning the TV and computer off. New figures from Energex indicate that leaving appliances on standby mode is costing an extra 408kW per hour when compared with results taken in 1996, whilst lighting and power is chewing through an extra 3782kWh. Make the change to energy saving light candles such as Megaman’s long-life candles (www.todae.com.au has a fantastic range), which can last up to ten times more than a standard bulb. Alternatively most supermarkets carry a reasonable range of environmentally friendly alternatives.

Another simple but overlooked change that can be made include is closing curtains and blinds on the sunny side during the heat of the day. If you use an air-conditioner couple this with putting your setting on the reasonable temperature of 24?C for efficiency and savings.

Homemade
Forget creating a fussy garden and try planting food that can be brought to the dinner table. A Mediterranean-styled garden works well with the Australian climate and can be grown just as easily by apartment occupiers as it can be by home occupiers. In areas where spaced is confined planter pots can be easily integrated. Even those without a green thumb can capably grow tomatoes, rosemary, parsley and chilli in this manner. With some local markets selling herb plants from one dollar, and chilli plants from five dollars, you’ve already saved more with your initial purchase than you would buying the herb packaged and processed in your local supermarket.

For a touch of Meditteranean chic why not try incorporating citrus trees (miniature versions for apartments)? Not only can you pick what you need when you need it, some citruses (such as lemon) have the added bonus of offering mosquito-repelling properties, which reduces the need for insect spray. To give soil the oomph and texture that it needs worm castings and compost will add the organic matter that potting mix can’t deliver. Manure is another alternative but should only be used if you have noisy neighbours that you’re hoping will relocate some to soon…

Making a move
If you’re looking to relocate why not consider a high-growth area that incorporates residential and commercial, with cafés, restaurants and entertainment into one hub, or a low-density area where work is nearby? Choosing a location like this means that you’ll be saving time from travelling on the road – giving you and the environment a better quality of life. Brisbane resident, Ian Flanagan, says that "I choose to live on the fringe of Brisbane’s CBD as I can walk to work or catch the ferry. Some of my friends spend up to 45 minutes commuting to our inner city office each way, each day. I save time that could be otherwise better spent and save an absolute fortune on petrol and parking."

Right now there are so many property developments being undertaken nation-wide. If you’re a person who is building a new home, be thoughtful in your design and take a long-term approach. Consider how you can best utilise cross-flows of air; think about installing a roof and rainwater collection tank; research as to what type of insulation you will need; consider hardwood flooring or laying inherently strong and stain-resisting seagrass carpets… Let your natural instincts get creative from the outside in.

On the outer
Australian founded company, and multi-award winners, Nu-Lok Roofing Systems have come up with an aesthetic approach to solar roofing. Gone are the dominating, heavy and expensive structures that were once affixed to the roof. Instead the Nu-Lok design fastens the panels, which act as a power source, to flawlessly integrate with the existing roof. Not only beneficial for the environment, it’s a guard against rising energy costs and it can add value to your property. Founder, Bob Hick, said about his unique product: "We were surprised to discover that people don’t realise the manufacture of support carriages for solar panels actually creates additional CO2 emissions. These emissions extend the time needed to obtain a positive return from your investment in solar panels." Visit www.nu-lok.com for more information.

Whether replacing them, or building for the first time, windows and doors are another part of exterior and interior that should be taken into account – with double-glazed windows being a fantastic choice. The way in which double-glazing works is that each window or door consists of two panels of glass. Air is trapped in between these two panels to form an enclosed air space and, hence, a sealed unit. This trapped layer of air creates an insulation barrier and prevents warmth from escaping. In cooler times, as the inner pane of glass doesn’t come into contact with the cold outside air it stays warmer than the outside pane.

Double-glazing is especially beneficial for some of Australia’s chillier locations, as drafts and heat loss are reduced due to the window’s insulation properties. Best of all you’ll save a fortune on your electricity and gas bill. Furthermore, by choosing double-glazing windows your home is significantly more soundproof and thieves are deterred as your home is more difficult to break into. www.ecoclasic.com.au is a good place to start your double-glazing research.

So as you can see there are a number of changes that we can make to our homes, or implement when building for the first time, that aren’t going to short change you or our planet. All it takes is a little consideration…

Think global, act local
• Seek out resources, like wood, from a demolition in your local area

• Utilise local skills to design and refurbish your home. This could be anything from glass blowing through to fence construction

• Couple lighting with natural skylights. These work well especially in vestibules and bathrooms

• Visit your local fruit and vegetable market. As we know, fruits from afar are just plain naughty. A state-by-state list can be found on the noticeboard at www.myoptions.com.au

Useful Websites
• www.hia.com.au - Information about Housing Industry Australia’s GreenSmart Program program can be found here. GreenSmart’s aim is to educate builders, designers, planners, project managers and product manufacturers so that they can become HIA GreenSmart. This program also educates consumers about the benefits of environmentally responsible housing.

• www.ecohomes.com.au, www.engleharthomes.com.au & www.stockland.com.au are both 2006 Green Smart Award Winners. Visit their website to learn more about environmentally friendly development projects near you.