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Smart Housing

Smart Housing Updates - April 2003

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In this update…

Smart Housing units opened

Minister for Public Works and Housing Robert Schwarten recently opened and named a $2.6 million 20-unit complex at Red Hill which incorporates Smart Housing design.

Mr Schwarten said the smart design of the units will reduce water and energy consumption as well as ongoing costs for the Smart Housing and residents.

"These units not only boast water-efficient design, they also incorporate the other principles of the department's Smart Housing initiative - energy, waste and cost-efficient design," Mr Schwarten said.

"The two-storey development of 20 seniors' units focuses on water management and water efficiency features such as the harvesting and re-use of roof water."

"The design will help the environment by re-using roof water for flushing the toilets and irrigating turf - an excellent example of environmental sustainability through smart design."

The design of these units ensures that some roof water is held on-site, which not only benefits the gardens, but also controls the flow of water into creeks and streams, where it affects the ecosystem.

With the inclusion of other Smart Housing design features such as wide doorways and hallways, accessible bathrooms, reduced-slip floor surfaces, and low water-volume toilets and taps, these units will also be more livable, safe, secure and will save both the tenants and the department money.

"The project is an excellent example of State Government leadership in designing, planning and building homes which are more socially, environmentally and economically sustainable," Mr Schwarten said.

Details of the project will be available online at External link www.smarthousing.qld.gov.au soon.

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Smart Housing website updated

The Smart Housing website is currently being updated to reflect the new definition of Smart Housing.

This new definition encompasses the messages of each Queensland Government agency engaged in promoting better practice in housing design and construction and recognises the current industry trend towards more sustainable practices.

Smart Housing is good practice in residential design and construction. It is more socially (flexible, safe and secure), environmentally (resource efficient in waste, water and energy) and economically (cost-efficient over time) sustainable.

Smart Housing applies to new housing and significant renovations; to the individual dwelling and the wider community; and in practice and policy.

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Research House opens doors for New Zealand prototype

A delegation of built environment scientists from New Zealand visited the Smart Housing's Research House in Rockhampton recently to learn how to build their own research-based house.

Minister for Public Works and Housing Robert Schwarten met with members of the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) to discuss the Research House, which incorporates Smart Housing practices.

"BRANZ have identified Research House in Rockhampton as the best example of changing building practices for a better future," Mr Schwarten said.

"The family home in Rockhampton doubles as a research centre, trialling sustainable designs, contemporary technologies, energy and water smart building products and practices. BRANZ is in the process of building a 'Now Home' which will showcase best practice in sustainable housing design for New Zealand home owners and builders.

"For many years, the construction industry had put sustainable housing in the 'too hard' basket. One of the key features of the Research House has been the involvement of industry and research partners to advance the cutting edge project," he said.

For more information on the Research House visit the External link Smart Housing website.

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Businesses urged to focus on 'Triple Bottom Line' agenda

Environment Minister Dean Wells told business leaders recently that ongoing, future corporate success would depend more and more on social responsibility, with a strong focus on sustainability.

Speaking at the seminar Brands, Boards and Business Models: Beyond the Triple Bottom Line, Mr Wells said there was ever-increasing pressure on businesses to be more transparent in their operations and more complete in their accountability.

"Future success will hinge on businesses demonstrating that they are not just paying lip service to the sustainability agenda, but are addressing it through their everyday business practice," he said.

"This means moving beyond the rhetoric to implementing practical strategies which can be widely implemented in the normal course of business to deliver real benefits."

Mr Wells said the Government was committed to the tenets of sustainability and was working to make it a state-wide reality.

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Call for examples of Smart Housing

Do you have an example of Smart Housing? We are calling on the Network to send us any photos, design sketches or floor plans that depict Smart Housing and demonstrate how it can be achieved in practice.

We would like to add this material to the "Smart Housing Examples" page on the recently updated Smart Housing website. Practical examples of Smart Housing are one way 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.

All material published will give full credit to the designer/builder. Email your submissions to Email address smarthousing@publicworks.qld.gov.au or contact Sue Stoneman on 3238 3684.

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Environmental sustainability seminars

Two national seminars are coming to Brisbane in May. Both seminars will explore the environmental aspects of sustainable housing design.

Sustainable Housing Renovating Your Home - Monday 26 May, 6pm

The 2003 national seminar series on sustainable housing is a joint initiative of the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) and the Alternative Technology Association (ATA).

This year the focus will be on renovations, with presentations from Andres Sederof and Dick Clarke, highly regarded building design professionals and prominent speakers on sustainable design. Examples of their work can be found on the External link Your Home website.

The seminar will outline how to incorporate a range of sustainable features in any renovation project, including optimal insulation, strategic orientation on a site, passive and active solar design and the re-use of grey water. In addition, explanatory fact sheets detailing best practice examples from the presenters' own portfolios will be provided to all attendees.

Online registration is available from External link The Meeting Manager website (go to current events) or email Email address meetings@tmm.com.au for a registration form. Payment must accompany bookings.

Cost $27.50 (including GST).

Solutions in Affordable Sustainable Housing Design - Wednesday 7 May, 5pm

Sponsored by the Cement and Concrete Association of Australia, this seminar series draws on the concepts of maximising thermal mass and utilising passive solar design to deliver affordable, sustainable housing.

Topics to be covered include designing houses with comfortable internal environments that achieve reduced energy consumption through low heating and cooling requirements.

For more details and to register see the PDF seminar brochure (846Kb). Cost $33.00 (including GST).

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The House of the Future - Wall Street Journal

The following article about housing design trends in the United States appeared in the Wall Street Journal on 14 February 2003:

"Senior-friendly designs are becoming more and more popular, and residential builders are beefing up their offerings as the nation's 76 million baby boomers move closer to retirement. Even younger homeowners are incorporating motorized sinks that can be raised or lowered; grab bars; wider entryways; lower light switches; front-loading washers and dryers; electronic faucets; and lower cabinets, among other features, so that they can age in place.

However, senior-friendly products can be costly, with adjustable cabinets and motorized sinks costing upwards of $7,500 and elevators boasting price tags of up to $30,000. Moreover, many of these products are unattractive; however, "secret accessibility" allows homeowners to plan now and add them on later.

For instance, an elevator shaft can be disguised as a closet; lots can be gently graded so that ramps can be installed later; and plywood behind walls can make it easier and cheaper to add grab bars when needed. In addition, the popularity of the stainless-steel industrial look has made many of the high-tech products trendy. Even so, some of these adjustments pose problems for parents of young children, who can easily open doors with levers rather than knobs.

Meanwhile, some locales--like Florida and Pima County, Ariz.--are making wheelchair-accessible baths, doorways, and electrical outlets mandatory in new homes."

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Stay in touch

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 Email address smarthousing@publicworks.qld.gov.au

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Last updated March 2007