sustainable architects melbourne

So, you’re interested in finding a sustainable architect for your new home or renovation in Melbourne?

You’ve come to the right place!

Why we’re sustainable architects

We’re sustainable architects living and working in Melbourne because we’re passionate about creating homes that will feel incredible to live in for many years to come without sacrificing the needs of the environment or our communities. To us, sustainable architecture means designing and building homes that will endure and outlive us. Sustainability means creating homes that are comfortable to live in year-round, without the need for a lot of mechanical heating and cooling. We can achieve this by designing buildings with our climate in mind. A home that is oriented towards the north, is able to capture the warming rays of the sun in the winter to provide natural heating and hopefully ward off problems like seasonal depression. In summer, correctly designed shading will shade the house so it feels cool and refreshing compared to the mercury soaring outdoors. With the right amount and type of glazing, cross flow ventilation, thermal mass like concrete and brick in all the right places and good levels of insulation, it’s easy to achieve an energy-efficient and comfortable home without costing the earth (or your back pocket).

Every house we design has these principles baked into its DNA. From there we discuss with clients about creating even more self-sufficient homes by investing in solar power, rainwater collection, and storage, energy-efficient appliances and even grey and black water treatment to minimise their reliance on resources, reduce their home’s running costs and live more sustainably.

What is sustainable architecture?

Sustainable architecture is designing and building homes that don’t require a lot of energy to build, run or maintain. It means designing and building with quality in mind so that your home will endure for many generations to come.

Building is incredibly energy intensive, so it’s important to design houses that will be flexible to changing lifestyle needs and invest in materials that will stand the test of time or even look better with age.

Sustainable architecture will incorporate passive solar design strategies like orientation towards the north, adequate shading, thermal mass to help keep the interiors at a moderate temperature, insulation to protect the home from weather extremes and keep the heating and cooling inside, energy-efficient appliances, and even a good connection to the outdoors so you can feel in touch with the surrounding environment.

Is sustainable architecture expensive?

Sustainable architecture doesn’t need to be expensive, particularly in relatively mind climates like Melbourne. With thoughtful orientation, the right levels of insulation and thermal mass, an efficient design, and material choices that will last for years to come, a sustainable home doesn’t need to cost any more than a poorly designed home. Of course, sustainable design can incorporate a lot of features like heat-exchange systems, grey and black water treatment, and large solar arrays which naturally add additional costs to a project, but can also offer numerous benefits. So, if you do decide to invest in an even more sustainable home, expect to pay a little bit more in the beginning, but enjoy reduced energy and water costs for decades to come, not to mention the warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing that you’re setting an example for how we can all build more sustainably in a changing climate.

Keep reading to learn more about sustainable architecture in Melbourne and the work we do…