Sustainable living is the way of the future, and this is increasingly reflected in the design concept of many off-the-plan apartment developments. In addition, innovative and eco-conscious elements are becoming more and more widespread, meaning it’s now easier than ever to live sustainably.
If you want to start the next chapter of your property journey treading lightly on the planet, here are a few things you should look out for.
Sustainable from the ground up
Sustainable living is often seen as a complicated or expensive lifestyle change. However, if your new apartment or townhome has been designed and built with sustainability in mind, the switch will be seamless.
Many developments are now boasting impressive NatHERs ratings thanks to the clever integration of rooftop solar, water-efficient tapware and rainwater harvesting technologies hidden between the walls. Some developments are taking things another step further by being completely fossil fuel-free and carbon neutral in operations.
Living in a sustainably built development means you can enjoy being part of a like-minded community seeking to minimise the effects of climate change. In addition, you can enjoy all the benefits of living in an architecturally designed home.
The right building materials
Natural and recycled materials are at the forefront of modern design principles and significantly reduce a development’s environmental footprint. This may include refurbishing or reusing existing materials, using only certified forestry timber or opting for low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, which are less harmful to the environment and humans than alternatives.
Sustainable building materials aren’t just focused on what a product is made from, it also takes into account how much energy and carbon have been involved in making the material and what the end of the material’s life cycle will look like.
Passive design principles
A passive design keeps your new home naturally cooler in summer and warmer in winter - reducing your energy consumption and carbon footprint. It ensures the design and building structure are created to respond to the local climate and the naturally occurring environmental conditions.
Day-to-day energy usage is dramatically reduced when passive design elements are incorporated into a building design. For instance, there are fewer fluctuations in temperature and a significant improvement in overall air quality. With the right passive design principles, you will immediately notice a significant reduction in your reliance on artificial heating and cooling - this usually makes up for approximately 40% of a household’s energy consumption. There is also the added benefit of reduced energy bills.
A sustainably built home doesn’t need to be complicated, nor does it have to come at the expense of style. Check out 15 Thompson Street Kensington, East Brunswick Village or The Wilds Merri Creek to see how sustainability can be at the forefront of design.
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