Eco ethos

Green home building practices centre on design, technology, energy and environmental performance. How does your home shape up?

- CARROL BAKER

The call to arms about environmentally friendly building strategies has led to a profound shift in the way we do things. Building sustainability is more than just about taking measures to limit resources and energy it's linked to time-honoured craftsmanship and embraces living well, comfort and durability.

Sustainable homes are constructed with durable materials and building an eco-friendly home takes into consideration passive solar design. Each building site is unique, with its own microclimate. By assessing your site, your architect can best determine and implement a design that maximises the site's orientation, minimises energy use, and creates a comfortable environment for those who live there.

SUSTAINABILITY REDEFINED

In broad strokes, what does sustainable building really mean? At Breathe Architecture, director of houses Madeline Sewall says as a practice they always return to their core belief that the planet and humanity matter. "We use this as a lens for every decision we make and to us, sustainable buildings are about responding to this truth," she notes.

Sustainability is all about balance - it's a process that seeks to ensure that by incorporating certain philosophies, there are enough resources for all, now and into the future. Shaun Lockyer from Shaun Lockyer Architects says he remains a firm believer in the notion that to build sustainably, it's essential to construct a dwelling that people will cherish. "It should be of durable quality and utilise timeless designs that people will love long beyond the original homeowner," he says. "If people love it, they will protect it and ensure its longevity in the world."

WHAT IS A BUILDING?