The Challenge:

Design an ecologically sustainable home for your own city, town or rural location, wherever it is, whatever the environment, climate or society.

Your Resources:

• http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs00.htm
• http://www.basix.nsw.gov.au/information/index.jsp
• http://www.makeyourhomegreen.vic.gov.au/www/html/1824-home-page.asp
• http://www.sustainable-homes.org.au/04_resources/index.htm
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Overview:

A great majority of Australians live in homes that work against the climate, rather than with it. These houses are energy inefficient, too cold or too hot and comparatively expensive to run. Similarly, most homes use far m ore water than necessary, and are made of materials that can damage your health and the environment.

Building a home using good design principles can save energy, water and money, while creating a more enjoyable and comfortable home. The cost of implementing good design ranges from a net saving through to a significant up-front investment that will be repaid throughout the life of the home but increase its value in the future.

Australian households on average produce more than 15 tonnes of greenhouse gas per home each year. Our 7 million households produce over 105 million tonnes annually, which contributes over 20 percent of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases are produced from activities such as heating, cooling, cooking, lighting, driving the car, running appliances and rubbish disposal.

Additional emissions are created in the building and furnishing of our homes. The 'embodied energy' or energy used to create materials generates greenhouse gases. These emissions are contributing toward global climate change. Global climate change manifests as an increasing frequency of extreme weather events (storms, drought) leading to higher living costs, including insurance premiums.

Other impacts of ill considered building design are the loss of community, reduced natural habitat, increased water pollution and continuing soil erosion. Good design can help you contribute to a healthier, safer and more environmentally conscious society, while saving you money. Source: Your Home Technical Guide http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs00.htm

Assessment Criteria:

Sustainability of Materials

Submissions shall demonstrate application of low embodied energy materials, low on-going maintenance levels, and potentially recyclable selections.

Passive and Active Solar Design

Submissions shall demonstrate as full a range as practical, of passive or active design principles, aimed at the designed structure providing a comfortable internal living environment without mechanical supplement.

Energy Efficiency

Submissions shall demonstrate strategies which have been adopted to reduce energy demand (as against an average benchmark) for air and water heating, cooling, and lighting. Consider primary energy sources and recycled sources.

Water Management

Submissions shall demonstrate design strategies aimed at reduced potable water demand, as against a benchmark. All waste water generated by the home and its user may be considered.

Waste Management

Submissions shall demonstrate techniques, processes, and selections that reduce waste levels during construction. Home waste (in habitation) may also be considered.

Aesthetics and Affordability

Submissions shall demonstrate lateral design thinking whilst empathizing with the residential location of your choice. Construction cost must be within the allowed budget to demonstrate a wide public affordability (budget AUD$500K).

Climate Appropriate

Submissions shall demonstrate knowledge of climate appropriate material and design making sure that likely climate change hazards and daily conditions are accounted for so as to create a resource efficient building.

Compliance

All submitted designs must comply with Residential Planning Codes, local and statutory authority regulations, and provide for the constructed house plans to comply with the Building Code of Australia.

Preferred Design Feature Checklist:

• . Black water treatment system (optional)
• . Climate Change adaptable
• . Climate Zone indicator
• . Controlled open plan living
• . Orientation to North indicator
• . Energy efficient and renewable energy technologies
• . Environmentally benign, healthy materials
• . Exceeds minimum energy codes (BASIX)
• . Good cross ventilation
• . Greywater and waste water reuse systems
• . High thermal mass interior
• . Low embodied energy
• . Living areas that can be zoned off
• . Natural light to all living areas and bedrooms
• . Passive cooling (no air conditioning needed) Passive solar heating (no extra heating needed)
• . Permaculture designed landscaping
• . Proper shading control PV can be grid-connect or stand-alone
• . Rainwater and stormwater harvesting and supply
• . Solar water heating standard
• . Waterwise Garden

Eligibility of Applicants:

Eco House of the FutureCompetition is open to both Australian and International Students and Professionals.

( Note ) Student Applicants must be enrolled on a recognisedcourse or / have been attending a build / design course within 6mths of submitting their work.

Submission Requirements:

• a) All submissions must fully comply with the design brief and the assessment criteria.
• b) Applicants must show sufficient and clear information for the judging panel to fairly assess the submission against the assessment criteria outlined.
• c) Submission format shall be – In A2 format mounted on x 3 foam board or stiff card (double layer), and comprise at least –

. 1:100 floor plan, 2 elevations, landscape and site plan, all notated.

. Cross sections and details sufficient to clearly explain the principles and features of your design, all notated and at a suitable scale.

. One perspective view.

. Accompanying notes, in the form of your choice, as required to support your design choices and directions, including a schedule of significant materials and finishes

• d) The submission should be well considered and comprehensive. Please provide also a digital copy on CD of your full submission if possible or a single comprehensive PDF.
• e) All submissions shall carry the author’s name, the design project title and details, and the submission date.
• f) All submissions shall be complete and delivered by no later than 18th Jan 2010
• g) One submission per Student or Firm ( Designer / Green Builder / Eco Architect )
• h) The Australia Green Showcase is strictly limited to only 20 submissions
• i) Prior to applying please email to ensure competition is not booked out: info@australiagreen.com.au
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Judging:

Submissions will be assessed for a winning selection by a panel comprising representatives from:

. Building Designers Association of NSW or equivalent

. Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Environmental Chapter)

. Association of Building Sustainability Assessors

. The Faculty of Built Environment Society for Responsible Design

. Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society

Prizes:

We are currently seeking a major sponsor

Student: Citizen Eco Drive Watch (His or Hers)

Architect or Firm: Citizen Eco Drive Watch (His or Hers)

Intellectual Property Rights:

All copyright, moral right, and intellectual right in all other submissions will be retained by the author. The Student and Firm Prize winner allows Australia Green to use their design for House of the Future competition promotional purposes only. Submission of a project design for judging confers acceptance of the above, and the use of the design in displays promoting the project. Any such publication or subsequent publication is subject to acknowledgement of the author. * Firm being (Green Builder, Designer or Eco Architect)

Deferral or Abandonment of Project or any part thereof:

Australia Green reserves the right to abandon or defer the competition at any time, with written notice to all applicants.

Contact us:

info@australiagreen.com.au