Sustainable, urban design.

Many factors come into play in order to create sustainable development in urban areas. Those that focus on outcomes that use local, recycled or recyclable materials, are of a smaller scale and consume less energy are what we look for to publish in green magazine. Renovations that stay within the original footprint and reuse materials in creative ways, new builds that use less space within a block, thereby allowing vegetation to offset the hard surfaces and medium density developments that focus on ground-breaking, sustainable urban design is what you will find. We look for inspirational architecture with good  passive design that consumes little energy, houses that consider how to reduce the amount of new material, sourced locally when possible, introduce plants for heat control and consider community.

Hilltop Hideaway

Issue 43

With views towards the Melbourne city skyline, this new tri-level high spec family home is designed for 21st century living.

3 On 300

Issue 25

Take a heritage-listed house on a 330- square-metre inner city block and create two sustainable dwellings to house three generations of a family. It must be child-friendly, have enough space for a vegetable garden, off-street parking for one car and plenty of bicycles, and offer privacy for the occupants — from the outside world and each other.

Two From One

Issue 30

When the owner of a weatherboard in Marrickville, Sydney, wanted to renovate she had to face a tough decision. The house was too frail to add onto, but the block was large, so she decided to team with architect David Boyle to build not just one but two houses.

Industrial Strength

Issue 34

Nestled in a quiet street in South Yarra, Melbourne, this distinctive house with its warehouse-like exterior recently won the 2013 BDAV Building Design of the Year award and collected an impressive total of eight awards across various categories.

Point of Reference

Issue 39

A Melbourne renovation adds cosy, family friendly spaces and lots of visible skyline to a weatherboard terrace by using thoughtful glazing and varied volumes pulled together visually and thematically by a “datum line” roof.

The New Weatherboard

Issue 41

This well-thought out addition to an old Melbourne weatherboard celebrates its two core materials while leaving space for unexpected moments of art and craft.

Silk Purse-ing It

Issue 41

A financial plan to renovate for sale turns into a design challenge as well as a personal rebuttal to the traditional development model.

Urban Pocket

Issue 41

This new family home on a tight subdivided block in Perth has its priorities right – people and garden over cars and expensive finishes.

Sweet Dreams

Issue 31

It took three essential ingredients to turn this old sweet factory into a spectacular family home: a brave client, a visionary architect, and a building with scrumptious, wholesome bones.