Knoxfield house

Knoxfield house

This two bedroom house was designed to be as sustainable as possible on a small suburban block. It was built in 2001. I moved in at the time of my retirement. Entry is via a curved slate path, along a wooden walkway representing a bridge over a dry water course, continuing on slate pavers surrounded… Continue reading Knoxfield house

Brunswick West house

Front view, Brunswick West house

Stuart McQuire’s home in West Brunswick was the first in Victoria and the second in Australia to feed energy it created into the state’s power grid. Since 1996 the house has has generated more electricity than it has used. After an outlay of $5000, Stuart hasn’t paid an electricity bill. Owners Stuart McQuire and Wendy… Continue reading Brunswick West house

CERES EcoHouse

CERES house

The CERES EcoHouse is a sustainable display home that provides working examples of sustainable features that can be added to existing housing stock. Owners CERES Community Environment Park Location 8 Lee St, East Brunswick Country Australia Type Sustainable renovation House size Medium, 21 squares Email ceres@ceres.org.au Phone 03) 9387 2609 Summary of house features The house is… Continue reading CERES EcoHouse

5 star rated houses in Victoria, Australia

House 7 - circa 2006, some eaves

In Victoria all new homes built since July 2004 have been required to achieve a 5 star rating. This means it is compulsory for new houses to have: The average energy efficiency rating of houses in Victoria was only 2.2 stars before the introduction of 5 star standard. From 1 May 2008, the 5 Star standard will be… Continue reading 5 star rated houses in Victoria, Australia

Kancoona house

Kancoona House

The Kancoona house is a stone dwelling in Victoria’s north east that has a standalone energy system using solar, micro hydro and LPG gas backup systems. Owners Brendan O’Leary and Catherine Upcher Location Kancoona South Country Australia Type New dwelling, owner built House size Medium – 22 squares Summary of house features Micro hydro system The micro… Continue reading Kancoona house

Surrey Hills House

Surrey Hills House rear view

Owners Peter Campbell and Lena Sanci Location Surrey Hills, Melbourne Country Australia Type Sustainable renovation House size Medium, 21 squares Land size 509.6 meters squared Summary of house features Our goals In 2001, my partner Lena and I were faced with the prospect of living in a dark and dingy 1930’s duplex “one of a… Continue reading Surrey Hills House