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SUSTAINABILITY

A brief introduction to sustainable building

Choosing Materials for Your Home

22/5/2023

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When it comes to building our dream homes, we often focus on style, functionality, and comfort. However, it's important to consider sustainability as well. Constructing a home can have a significant environmental impact due to the energy consumed during manufacturing, transportation, and construction processes. By making conscious decisions about the materials we use, we can reduce the "embodied energy" of our homes and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.

Understanding Embodied Energy
Embodied energy refers to the total energy consumed in producing and transporting building materials. It considers both direct energies, used in manufacturing and transportation, and indirect energies, which includes extracting raw materials and producing the necessary fuels and electricity.
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Australian government: 'YourHome 2023'

The Importance of Material Choices
Choosing sustainable materials for your home not only helps minimize the environmental impact but also offers long-term benefits in terms of energy efficiency, durability, and indoor air quality. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when selecting materials:
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Recycled and Reclaimed Materials: Using recycled or reclaimed materials significantly reduces the embodied energy of your home. Products like reclaimed wood, recycled brick, or salvaged fixtures not only have a lower environmental impact but also add a unique character and charm to your home. ​
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Renewable and Natural Resources: Opting for renewable resources, such as sustainably harvested timber, bamboo, cork, or reconstituted timber products promotes responsible forestry practices. Natural materials like straw bale, rammed earth, and hempcrete can also be used, as they are readily available and renewable. ​
Locally Sourced Materials: Choosing materials sourced from nearby regions reduces transportation-related energy consumption. Local materials not only support the local economy but also allow you to connect with regional aesthetics and building traditions.
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​Durable and Low-Maintenance Materials:
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Selecting durable materials reduces the need for frequent replacements, saving both energy and resources in the long run. Materials like metal roofing, fibre cement siding, or durable cladding options require less maintenance and have longer lifespans, resulting in reduced embodied energy over the building's life cycle

By making sustainable material choices, you can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your home while creating a comfortable and healthy living space.

​Embrace the opportunity to construct a sustainable home that not only reflects your style but also contributes to a more resilient and ecologically conscious future.
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Passive House vs. Passive Design

22/5/2023

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Passive House and Passive Design​ are two popular approaches to constructing energy-efficient homes. While they share the common goal of reducing environmental impact, they differ in their specific strategies. In this blog post, we will explore the distinctions between Passive House and Passive Design, and how they contribute to creating greener and more sustainable living spaces.

Passive Design: A Holistic Approach to Sustainability
Passive Design focuses on maximizing a building's energy efficiency through natural means, such as optimizing natural lighting, ventilation, and insulation. It takes into account factors like the building's orientation, site features, and local climate to minimize energy consumption while enhancing occupant comfort. Key principles of Passive Design include strategic orientation, effective insulation, natural ventilation strategies, and the use of high-performance windows. By utilizing these passive strategies, buildings can reduce their reliance on mechanical heating, cooling, and lighting systems, leading to energy savings and environmental benefits.
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Source: 'Australian government, YourHome 2023'
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Source: 'Passive house institute'
​Passive House: A Technology Based Energy Performance Standard
Passive House takes the principles of Passive Design a step further by adhering to a specific energy performance standard. It sets rigorous targets for exceptionally low energy consumption in buildings. Passive House incorporates the principles of Passive Design but adds additional requirements, including airtight construction, mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery, and energy-efficient appliances. These measures ensure that buildings achieve high levels of energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. Furthermore, Passive House projects undergo performance monitoring to maintain their energy performance over time.

Key Differences and Similarities
Passive Design provides a holistic and flexible approach to energy efficiency, considering various design elements to minimize energy demand and improve occupant comfort. It emphasizes the use of natural resources and passive strategies. Passive House, on the other hand, follows a stringent energy performance standard, incorporating specific requirements to achieve exceptionally low energy consumption. It places greater emphasis on airtightness and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
Despite their differences, both Passive House and Passive Design contribute to reducing carbon footprints and creating sustainable homes. They prioritize energy efficiency, occupant well-being, and long-term cost savings. By adopting either approach, homeowners can enjoy comfortable living spaces while minimizing their environmental impact.

Passive House and Passive Design are two valuable approaches to creating energy-efficient homes. While Passive Design takes a holistic view, Passive House adds a stringent energy performance standard to achieve exceptional energy efficiency. By incorporating the principles of either approach, homeowners and builders can create comfortable, eco-friendly living spaces that contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. Whether it's optimizing natural lighting, insulation, or ventilation, embracing energy-efficient design principles is a positive step towards reducing our environmental footprint and building a sustainable society.
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Energy Efficiency vs. Sustainability

22/5/2023

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Energy efficiency and sustainability are both important considerations when it comes to designing and building homes. While they share common goals of reducing environmental impact, they each have different focuses and objectives. In this post we aim to provide a broad understanding of these differences and why the two concepts should work together.

What is Energy Efficiency in building?
Energy efficiency in buildings revolves around minimizing energy consumption while maintaining or improving performance and comfort. It involves employing passive design strategies, utilizing efficient technologies, and adopting sustainable practices. By incorporating features such as effective insulation, efficient HVAC systems, energy-efficient lighting, and renewable energy sources like solar panels, buildings can significantly reduce their energy needs. The ultimate aim of energy efficiency is to optimize energy use and minimize waste.

While energy efficiency is an integral component of building a sustainable home, it is not the sole determinant. A building can be highly energy-efficient but still have negative environmental implications due to excessive resource consumption, improper waste disposal, or use of harmful materials. On the other hand, a sustainable building may prioritize renewable energy sources and eco-friendly materials, yet may not achieve the highest level of energy efficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the broader sustainability aspects alongside energy efficiency.
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Source: 'Australian government: YourHome 2023'
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Source: 'Australian government: YourHome 2023'
What is Sustainability in building?
Sustainability in buildings encompasses a broader scope. It seeks to create structures that have a minimal negative impact on the environment throughout their entire lifecycle. This includes considerations beyond energy efficiency, such as ​water conservation, use of environmentally friendly materials, waste management, indoor air quality, and occupant well-being. Sustainable buildings are designed to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. They strive to create a harmonious balance between environmental responsibility, social well-being, and economic viability.

Why do they need to work together?
By combining energy-efficient design strategies with sustainable practices, we can create buildings that minimize energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions, and promote environmental stewardship. Such buildings contribute to the long-term health and well-being of occupants, conserve natural resources, and foster a more sustainable built environment. By incorporating both energy efficiency and sustainability principles, we can create buildings that are not only efficient in energy usage but also environmentally responsible and socially beneficial.


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    Jakob Loechel

    Co- Founder and building designer at Adelaide Sustainable Design & Construction

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Matt Cuteri
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​Phone: 0423 947 233
e-mail: [email protected]
Jakob Loechel
Director & Head of Design


phone: 0423 051 880
e-mail: [email protected]
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