QUT Architecture Students Go for Green, Clean and Affordable

Three second year QUT architecture students have designed demonstration green hydrogen powered houses for TAFE Queensland, one of which may be built on its Eagle Farm campus.

The house would serve as an open display for Queenslanders interested in fully green and smart homes, as well as for crucial training – both remotely and on site – for TAFE Queensland’s students in clean and smart energy building techniques. Training could include units for smart home installation and control, solar and hydrogen power installation and maintenance, and automated security system training.

Jake McGowan, Dongwoo Lee and Megan Collins were among 200 students who took on the challenge of creating a ‘Hydrogen House’ to showcase net zero, off grid housing for everyday use in Queensland. Their designs were chosen by lecturer Dr Kirsty Volz from QUT’s School of Architecture and Built Environment and TAFE Queensland representatives.

“The brief requested the houses be designed specifically for our climate to maximise comfort and reduce energy bills. Ideally in fact, the ultimate Hydrogen House would be a zero bills house,” Dr Volz said.

“TAFE Queensland is keen to set themselves up as a sector leader in response the Queensland Government’s announcement last year of a 70% renewables target by 2032 to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy for Queenslanders.

“At the same time, the state government has announced its desire for 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games to be sustainable and climate positive.

“The TAFE Queensland Eagle Farm campus will be at the centre of all the action due its close proximity to the proposed athletes village and the future material change of use for the industrial areas surround the facility which will see it become a hub for high density residential living.”

Students were asked to:

• Construct a totally off grid, sustainable energy house located within eyesight of Kingsford Smith Drive, using the new Building Codes Australia, six star rated sustainability and accessibility rating;
• Use water saving and recycling of water and sewage, as well as technologies such as ozone purification; and
• Include charging points for EV and Hydrogen powered vehicles.

Dr Volz said the TAFE Queensland brief to students also highlighted the need to educate the public on the safe use of Hydrogen as a renewable energy source.

“The TAFE Queensland Eagle Farm campus has around 100,000 people drive past it each day so it’s the perfect site show off what is possible with homes utilising renewable energies and emerging technologies, like those designed by Megan, Jake and Dongwoo,” she said.

“Each of them created something extraordinary. Megan’s Three T House was inspired by the colonial and pre-colonial history of Eagle Farm and includes a floor plan that can shrink or expand to changing lifestyle needs.

“Jake’s house, The Sanctuary, blurs the boundaries between inside and out, while Dongwoo’s concept – That House – maximises natural resources through its form and design strategies.”

Learn more about TAFE Queensland: tafeqld.edu.au