Properties that give again to the surroundings are few and much between, however they’re actually round — and gaining reputation throughout Victoria.
Eco-friendly Air BnBs, a house comprised of recyclable supplies, and a treehouse in a coveted regional hideaway had been among the many state’s finest properties, as revealed within the Herald Solar’s Prime 50 Properties.
However what makes a home sustainable?
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Usually, a 6-star vitality score is the baseline for sustainability with regards to new builds, though it may possibly go as excessive as 10 stars — just like the unimaginable Cape Paterson home on this checklist, created in collaboration between constructing agency the Sociable Weaver and Clare Cousins Architects.
Passive properties, tiny properties, and houses comprised of each recycled and recyclable sources can even set you heading in the right direction to sustainability.
See Victoria’s finest six sustainable properties under, as chosen by the Herald Solar’s actual property staff.
VICTORIA’S BEST ECO & SUSTAINABLE HOMES
6. THE RECYCLABLE HOUSE
True to its identify, this Beaufort house is predominantly made with new, recyclable supplies, in addition to some already recycled.
It was designed and constructed by Inquire Invent managing director Quentin Irvine, who took inspiration from Australian metal wool sheds.
The revolutionary dwelling hit the market final yr, promoting for $750,000 in November.
Different eco-friendly options embrace its photo voltaic passive design, shade sails, and the usage of solely pure paints and oils all through the house.
It additionally has a photo voltaic sizzling water system, 50,000 litres of water storage with an irrigation system, and a thriving edible backyard.
5. BEND OF ISLANDS GLASS HOUSE
484 Henley Rd, Bend of Islands.
Constructed from a “treasure trove” of recycled supplies, this regional hideaway seems to be like a fascinating treehouse from the skin.
Designed by Hamish Knox, son of celebrated mud brick architect Alistair Knox, the house aligns with the sustainable ethos discovered on the core of the coveted Bend of Islands group – the place wildlife roams free and no home pets are allowed.
It incorporates supplies resembling timber telegraph poles, business grade glass from a Collins St tower, and a Victorian spiral staircase main from the garden to the treetop balcony, the place you possibly can catch sweeping views of the valley.
4. ALKIRA ECO-GLAMPING YURT
Voted quantity 2 in AirBNB’s most wishlisted stays in Australia in 2021, this beautiful straw-bale yurt is located on a 16 hectare property within the Dandenong Ranges.
The eco-glamping retreat boasts an elegant outside kitchen, aesthetic outside seating with wonderful panorama views, and one of the Instagrammable interiors you’ll discover throughout the state.
Its distinctive design makes the property each hotter in winter and cooler in summer season, and is surrounded by nature and wildlife, which you’ll meet and feed when you keep there.
3. 10-STAR HOME
Cape Paterson, Victoria. Image: Jason Edwards
Overlook invoice shock. At this coastal dwelling, odds are the vitality firm will likely be paying you. Created by constructing agency the Sociable Weaver along side Clare Cousins Architects, it was Victoria’s first 10-star vitality environment friendly dwelling.
Its $500,000 development was additionally zero waste, although would value nearer to $660,000 immediately. Environmentally aware patrons can obtain the plans without spending a dime at liveatthecape.com.au. Observe the unique intently sufficient, and so they get an as much as four-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling that’s estimated to value simply $3 a yr to run.
2. CALLIGNEE ECO BUSH HOUSE
You may need seen this dwelling on Grand Designs Australia when it was being constructed, after the unique dwelling was destroyed by fires on Black Saturday about two weeks following its completion.
Mixing into the bush, it’s fully off grid, powered by photo voltaic panels and batteries, and surrounded by granite boulders to offer a thermal buffer and rainwater tanks.
However it doesn’t miss out on the enjoyable, with a 19m lap pool flowing alongside the principle residing zone discovered behind a glass divider, and open-tread staircases offering eye-catching design highlights.
Plus, you possibly can hire it out from $400 an evening.
1. THE HÜTT 01 PASSIVHAUS
Coburg, Victoria. Footage: Matt C Pictures (Maitreya Chandorkar)
Taking out the 2022 Homes Awards’ sustainability class, this Melbourne Design Studios passive dwelling incorporates a biophilic design to seamlessly join nature all through the constructing.
Whereas sitting alongside a busy trainline, the acoustics are shut out by way of its cautious development and supplies.
The inner footprint of simply 78sq m speaks to the environmental focus of the home, which generates a big portion of its personal vitality on-site.
Constructed on a seemingly forgotten block of land in Coburg, the architects have now labelled it “a beacon of hope for the longer term”.
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