Smart Housing news
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Smart Housing Updates - April 2002
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April 2002 Smart Housing
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In this update...
- Call for Smart Housing examples
- Resource-efficient Display Home Opened by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Baby boomers and housing demand
- Disability Standard on access to premises
- Web resources
Call for Smart Housing Examples
The Smart Housing website is being updated and will soon include a new page "Examples of Smart Housing". The section will feature practical examples that demonstrate how Smart Housing can be achieved in practice and is part of the drive to close the gap between professionals who know how to build smart and consumers who want their next home or home renovation to be smart.
We are calling on all members of the Network to send through their photos and design sketches that depict elements of Smart Housing. All examples published will have full credit to the designer / builder.
Email your submissions to 
smarthousing@publicworks.qld.gov.au
Resource-efficient Display Home Opened by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Minister for the Environment Dean Wells launched a resource-efficient home at Springfield Lakes on 23 March 2002. The home, jointly designed and constructed by the EPA, Delfin Lend Lease, BHP Lysaght and James Hardie Building Products and Windows, showcases a number eco-efficient features.
"Solar panels on the roof have been installed to demonstrate to visitors the benefits that renewable energy brings to the home," Mr Wells said.
"The panels generate electricity for use by the house, with any excess electricity being fed, or effectively sold, to the grid. This has the potential to significantly reduce the homeowner's electricity bill. Also, installing a solar hot water system will cut the typical electricity bill by 30 percent.
"Therefore, consumers can save on their electricity bills by adopting these initiatives," Mr Wells said.
The house has other efficient features including:
- external timber venetian blinds to shade windows
- roof ventilators to let hot air escape
- a reflective colour bonded roof
- windows featuring a special weather-sealed frame
- tinted glass that is energy efficient
- elevated steel floor frame, wall frame and roof trusses to aid in protecting against termites
- lightweight sheeting and cladding products
"Incorporation of the latest design and construction methods and materials has resulted in a house well suited to the Queensland climate and lifestyle," Mr Wells said.
"Later this year, the home will be connected to recycled water infrastructure. Recycled water will be used for flushing toilets and garden irrigation. This will save more than 200 litres a day in fresh water usage and reduce rates bills" Mr Wells said.
Visit the display home at 16 Montello Court Springfield Lakes, open from 11am to 5pm everyday except Fridays. For more information, call Delfin Lend Lease on 3280 2222.
Baby Boomers and Housing Demand
An article out of the United States describes the newly emerging housing market of "junior-seniors". It defines the 55 to 65-age market as having unique housing needs and sees them as being more considerate of features such as accessibility and maintenance.
With Queensland set to face the same increase of residents in this age group, there may be some lessons to learn from the American experience. For a copy of the article visit the Chigago Tribune website. Additional information is available on the NAHB Research Centre website.
Also out of the US:
A growth area in (home) remodelling will be for baby boomers who want to age in place, people 55 years and older, and those who wish to remain living independently in their present homes, Al Heavens said in Realty Times. This will help spending on remodelling grow 5 percent a year, according to Gopal Ahluwahlia, vice president of research for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Heavens reported that the NAHB Remodelors' Council, in conjunction with the NAHB Research Center's National Center for Seniors' Housing Research, is making available training and a designation, the CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) program for members to better deal with homeowners 55 years of age and older.
For more information visit the Realty Times website.
Disability Standard on Access to Premises
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released a CD which contains various information from the sessions held on the development of a Disability Standard on Access to Premises under the Disability Discrimination Act. While the Standard applies only to non-residential buildings, the process can provide some indication of the future for housing. The CD includes:
- Video footage of presentations given by various stakeholders,
- Frequently asked questions and answers (or FAQ's) of issues raised throughout the sessions,
- Information session powerpoint presentation,
- A copy of each of the presenters papers, and
- A copy of the Directions Report.
The CD is now available free of charge. If you would like a copy contact Ed Knight, Assistant Project Officer, Technical Development (02 6213 6875 / ed.knight@abcb.gov.au).
The Australian Building Codes Board has also developed a multimedia package, "Building Community Access", which aims to raise awareness on access issues for building designers and approval authorities. The package outlines the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Disability Discrimination Act provisions. This product is now available and can be ordered by visiting the Australian Building Codes Board website.
Web Resources
The following websites contain information to help in designing and building Smart Houses:
Energy Smart Allies
A directory of suppliers of energy efficient product management compiled by the NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority.
Centre for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
The Centre for Inclusive Design & Environmental Access run "IDEA" which is dedicated to improving the design of environments and products by making them more useable, safer and appealing to people with a wide range of abilities, throughout their life span. The website provides resources and technical expertise in architecture and product design based on the principles of Universal Design.
The Not So Big House
Interesting design ideas from American architect, Sarah Susanka on focusing housing design on how people use the home rather than around the image of a big house.
Kidsafe
The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia (Kidsafe) is an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to preventing unintentional death and injury of children. Each day in Australia, 5 000 children need medical attention; 170 are admitted to hospitals; and more than one child dies as a result of unintentional injuries. Most of these injuries occur at home and school.
Stay in touch!
Your involvement is important!
Smart Housing depends on your feedback, comments and suggestions. We also welcome contributions to this newsletter.
For more information on Smart Housing, please contact us on (07) 3224 4961, email smarthousing@publicworks.qld.gov.au
Last updated 27 March 2006
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