TRUE BLUE ZERO CO2

Winner: NSW State Award

Designer: Lachlan McEwen Harmonic Design

Assessor: Melanie Lupis, Sustainability Certified

Project cost estimate: $675,500 (359sqm total)

House size: 170 sqm

Energy rating: 10 stars

True Blue Zero CO2 is a light-filled, calm and aesthetically pleasing home with excellent design functionality allowing seamless transition from a young family to an older couple aging in place. It is cool in summer with refreshing natural breezes and welldesigned shading throughout. In winter months the home is cosy and warm with sunshine providing free energy to heat the thermal mass floor which re-radiates warmth into the home long after the sun has set.

The carefully selected and specified materials provide increased acoustic performance, creating spaces which are acoustically separated from one another and from external noise, providing families peace and harmony throughout their occupation of the home.

The relatively compact design, straight-forward building techniques and locally sourced materials ensure costs are minimised without compromising sustainability requirements for True Blue Zero CO2.

The home provides open plan living, natural light, fresh air, connection to gardens, urban streetscapes, mixed transport options and aging in place. True Blue Zero CO2 uses the core principles of solar passive design and, where possible, bio-organic construction materials. Timber has replaced steel throughout, bamboo has been used in place of melamine/laminate, as well as compressed straw and recycled fibreglass wool for insulation.

Flooring was selected for its aesthetic and thermal benefits. Wall Cladding and roofing materials combine thermal comfort balancing heat gain and thermal bridging with aesthetic appeal and modern styling.

The use of 50mm Durra Panel throughout as a carbon sequestering product increases thermal resistance and acts as a thermal break across the entire building envelope. Double glazed timber windows have been selected with custom specifications to suit thermally efficient glazing and to reduce thermal bridging.

Locally eco-friendly manufactured bamboo joinery was selected for its durability, low carbon and low chemical content. True Blue Zero CO2 is theoretically 100% sustainable and will be carbon positive within 17 years by 2039. All materials specified are commonly available today without limitation and the design has broad appeal to homeowners and trades people alike.

Open plan living is complemented by natural light and well-proportioned internal dimensions of the home. Operable windows allow fresh air to flow throughout the home and when required, ceiling fans can be used. Occupants enjoy direct connection to the landscaped areas including the vegetable and herb garden.

True Blue Zero CO2 has an appealing street frontage with safe and amenable access for pedestrians and vehicles and, a family can easily work from home using one of the study nooks or the dedicated office.

All materials specified are commonly available today without limitation and the design has broad appeal to homeowners and trades people alike.