The True Zero Carbon Challenge: Pioneering sustainable Building Design at the DMN Summit

As part of an exciting all-day Summit program on 25 October, the True Zero Carbon Challenge (TZCC) will be a unique catalyst for transformative change in sustainable building design. This fantastic event, now in its second year, nestled within a broader conference and followed by the Building Design Awards, promises to showcase the future of eco-friendly construction.

The TZCC segment of the Summit will feature presentations from all entrants, with each team comprising a building designer partnered with an energy efficiency assessor (EEA). This unique collaboration is at the heart of the challenge, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to creating truly sustainable, carbon-positive buildings. The TZCC goes beyond the concept of net-zero energy, pushing participants to design structures that actively repay their carbon impact over time.

At its core, the TZCC is built on a platform of education and training. It asks crucial questions: How can we collaboratively address the housing industry's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions? How do we transition to a built environment that's not just carbon-neutral, but carbon-positive? Are we, as an industry, moving swiftly enough to meet the Commonwealth Government's Paris Agreement commitments?

The challenge aims to lead a paradigm shift in the industry. It encourages a move away from large, energy-hungry homes towards smaller footprint highly liveable dwellings that make considered use of space and materials. Participating teams are urged to incorporate solar passive design principles, creating energy-efficient, healthy, and adaptable homes that will serve future generations.

A key focus of the TZCC is to elevate the status of NatHERS Accredited Assessors within the broader building design industry. The challenge promotes the idea of integrating these professionals into design teams from the concept stage, highlighting their crucial role in optimising thermal performance and minimising carbon footprints.

By showcasing the capabilities of NatHERS software tools and Chenath, the TZCC demonstrates how Accredited EEAs can substantiate design decisions, providing valuable insights throughout the design process. This emphasis aims to encourage building designers to collaborate with accredited assessors for superior outcomes.

The TZCC champions the notion of a circular economy in construction.

The TZCC also champions the notion of a circular economy in construction. Entrant teams are challenged to consider the entire lifecycle of their designs, from the sourcing of materials to their potential reuse at the end of a building's life.

For building design professionals attending the Summit, the TZCC presentations promise to be a highlight. They offer a unique opportunity to witness cutting-edge sustainable design concepts, network with industry innovators, and gain insights as the entrant teams present the creative processes, they worked through to develop design concepts that will inform the future of building design practice.

As we face the urgent need to address climate change, the True Zero Carbon Challenge represents a critical step forward. It not only presents groundbreaking designs but also promotes an holistic approach to sustainability in the built environment.

Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired by the leaders in sustainable building design. The True Zero Carbon Challenge at the DMN Summit on October 25, 2024, is set to be a pivotal moment in the journey towards a greener, more sustainable future for Australian building design.

2022 TZCC Winning project Omnia House

Designer: Elizabeth Wheeler, Future Focused Buildings

Energy Assessor: Tamar Boyd, Blue Lotus Energy Rating