Part 1: Six Ways to Make Your Reno or Build More Sustainable
Create a sustainable sanctuary without breaking the bank with these six must-know tips from four architects
In the first of a two-part series, four architects on Houzz share insider tips for building and renovating in a way that’s not just kinder to the earth, but your back pocket too. Look out for part two of this story next week.
Go for quality over quantity, advises Anne Hindley, architect and director at Hindley & Co. “If your home is designed well, you may not need it to be nearly as big as you think,” she says.
“And if you are going to use natural stone or other unsustainable products, use them sparingly and make sure they will be loved and used for a long time.”
Looking for a sustainable architect? Find one near you on Houzz
“And if you are going to use natural stone or other unsustainable products, use them sparingly and make sure they will be loved and used for a long time.”
Looking for a sustainable architect? Find one near you on Houzz
2. Don’t demolish
Before you pick up the sledgehammer, ask yourself: do you really need to knock down your existing structure and start from the ground up or can you get the same or similar results by upgrading what you’ve got?
“Renovating may end up costing the same as building from scratch, but you will save an awful lot on materials and transport, which is far better for the environment,” says Hindley.
Before you pick up the sledgehammer, ask yourself: do you really need to knock down your existing structure and start from the ground up or can you get the same or similar results by upgrading what you’ve got?
“Renovating may end up costing the same as building from scratch, but you will save an awful lot on materials and transport, which is far better for the environment,” says Hindley.
3. Do your research
“By thoroughly researching your existing building and site, you’ll get a far better understanding of which elements can be retained and reused, and you may find you can minimise demolition. These, in turn, will reduce waste and costs,” says Nathalie Scipioni, architect and director at Nathalie Scipioni Architects.
Orientation is one of the most important elements to examine closely, she says, as it has a significant impact on your home’s running costs as well as how much ventilation and natural light it receives, all of which contributes to a more sustainable building.
“By thoroughly researching your existing building and site, you’ll get a far better understanding of which elements can be retained and reused, and you may find you can minimise demolition. These, in turn, will reduce waste and costs,” says Nathalie Scipioni, architect and director at Nathalie Scipioni Architects.
Orientation is one of the most important elements to examine closely, she says, as it has a significant impact on your home’s running costs as well as how much ventilation and natural light it receives, all of which contributes to a more sustainable building.
4. Salvage what you can (within reason)
“Anything reused saves new materials from being taken from the earth, eliminates transport costs and reduces your contribution to landfill, plus you get the pleasure of having something original and characterful in your home,” says Hindley.
While reusing elements such as cabinetry, flooring, tiles and mouldings might make practical sense, be aware that it won’t make practical sense to do with every feature in your home. “Older materials, such as window glazing, often don’t comply with current standards and, if used, will result in a non-compliant building,” says Pickering.
Browse more images of contemporary Australian bedrooms on Houzz
“Anything reused saves new materials from being taken from the earth, eliminates transport costs and reduces your contribution to landfill, plus you get the pleasure of having something original and characterful in your home,” says Hindley.
While reusing elements such as cabinetry, flooring, tiles and mouldings might make practical sense, be aware that it won’t make practical sense to do with every feature in your home. “Older materials, such as window glazing, often don’t comply with current standards and, if used, will result in a non-compliant building,” says Pickering.
Browse more images of contemporary Australian bedrooms on Houzz
5. Use local
Choosing locally sourced and made materials and products is not only environmentally responsible as it reduces transport emissions, it’s also socially responsible as it helps create jobs and support local industry.
“Source local products that are close to their natural state, such as rammed earth that is dug out of a relatively local pit and mixed with cement to form a wall, but isn’t fired in a kiln or hasn’t travelled from overseas; use local timber products that are independently certified, which support local jobs and industry without high energy to produce them,” says Johnstone.
Choosing locally sourced and made materials and products is not only environmentally responsible as it reduces transport emissions, it’s also socially responsible as it helps create jobs and support local industry.
“Source local products that are close to their natural state, such as rammed earth that is dug out of a relatively local pit and mixed with cement to form a wall, but isn’t fired in a kiln or hasn’t travelled from overseas; use local timber products that are independently certified, which support local jobs and industry without high energy to produce them,” says Johnstone.
“You’ll find that some older systems, such as downpipes, glazing and hot-water systems, are obsolete today and have been replaced with more efficient, sustainable and lower-consumption units that are better for the environment and the residents of a home,” says Scipioni.
“Reuse also normally requires quite a lot of labour to update the item to a reasonable standard, which can make the cost prohibitive,” says Pickering. “There are exceptions to this though, such as some timber and brickwork, which may work well and can add character and historical references to a project.
“If your goal is to minimise waste, the best approach may be to either give away or sell any items that may have recycling value, rather than using them in your own build,” he says.
“Reuse also normally requires quite a lot of labour to update the item to a reasonable standard, which can make the cost prohibitive,” says Pickering. “There are exceptions to this though, such as some timber and brickwork, which may work well and can add character and historical references to a project.
“If your goal is to minimise waste, the best approach may be to either give away or sell any items that may have recycling value, rather than using them in your own build,” he says.
6. Design for longevity
“Designing a ‘long life/loose fit’ home means considering the longer-term ways it might be used. For example, thinking about the spaces teenage children might require rather than just the immediate needs of toddlers,” says Johnstone.
“Consider whether you can adapt spaces for different purposes, such as a home office or an extra bedroom that can double as a TV nook or teenagers’ music room.
“Build and design with quality finishes that aren’t going to break down or require replacement or ongoing maintenance,” she says.
“Designing a ‘long life/loose fit’ home means considering the longer-term ways it might be used. For example, thinking about the spaces teenage children might require rather than just the immediate needs of toddlers,” says Johnstone.
“Consider whether you can adapt spaces for different purposes, such as a home office or an extra bedroom that can double as a TV nook or teenagers’ music room.
“Build and design with quality finishes that aren’t going to break down or require replacement or ongoing maintenance,” she says.
Your turn
Are you building or renovating with a focus on sustainability? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more renovating and building advice? Don’t miss these great Material Pairings for Outdoors & Facades: 6 Designers’ Favourites
Are you building or renovating with a focus on sustainability? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more renovating and building advice? Don’t miss these great Material Pairings for Outdoors & Facades: 6 Designers’ Favourites
First step to building more lightly on the earth? Embrace a ‘less is more’ philosophy, says Evan Pickering, architect and director at Focus Architecture. “By far the most effective way to make your renovation more sustainable is to minimise the size of the new works or the amount of alterations.”
Kristen Johnstone, director at Kirsten Johnstone Architecture, concurs. “A smaller footprint is obviously cheaper to build, but it also means less material is used, it is cheaper to furnish, and heating and cooling costs are lower,” she says.