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Sustainable Building in Adelaide

(11 posts) (8 voices)

Started 9 years ago by Project Wahroonga
Latest reply from Johnnojack

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Project Wahroonga
Member

Hello all,

I am new to the forum but have been an ATA member for a few years now. We bought a block in the suburbs 3 years ago with the intention of building a sustainable home. We have decided that this year we would like get the project underway and get some designs drawn up and approved. Our budget is reasonable but not massive.

We have many high level ideas about what we want, but that is about it. To be honest we dont really know where to next.

I guess next step is to find an Architect or Builder and get some plans drawn up and ascertain if our budget us reasonable. Which brings me to the first question - do we engage an Architect or go direct to a Builder? Are we going to lose/gain anything by selecting a builder and using their in house design team rather than an architect? I understand the cost savings in doing this can be sizeable.

Welcome anyones recommendations/experience so we can get our project off the ground.

Thanks

Scott

Posted Sunday 3 Feb 2013 @ 3:18:48 am from IP #
alfresco24
Member

May I recommend talking with John Maitland at http://www.energyarchitecture.com.au/
I have not used him personally (I would if I needed a new build), but have seen some of his work and it's good.

Posted Sunday 3 Feb 2013 @ 5:48:12 am from IP #
Project Wahroonga
Member

Thanks,

John Maitland would be one of the architects we would definately consider if we decide to engage an architect rather than a builder. We have visited his Ada Street property as part of the Sustainable House Day.

Posted Monday 4 Feb 2013 @ 9:42:06 am from IP #
CV Constructions
Member

Hi Scott,

I am not sure where you are with your project but just found your post. I gave a "plain language talk" about energy efficient construction at the ATA meeting in Goodwood, in January. My focus was on the fact that truly energy efficient homes in Adelaide don't have to "cost the Earth" - in more ways that one!

I am a supplier of energy efficient building materials as well as a builder and we have been focusing on true thermal performance results, not just "book figures". The results speak for themselves - actually, the clients do and one of them preceded my presentation on that night.

Part of my talk also focused on sustainability. You can find more about it on our web site, but the core of it in my opinion is to match your real needs, current and future, with your design and focus on the "living aspect", not the "show aspect" of your home. The rest will follow automatically.

We design, or work with a designer of your choice. And we build. I am passionate about sustainable, thermally efficient and durable homes. Before we introduced most of the materials, technologies and concepts into our construction company, Coromandel Valley Constructions - now called
CV Constructions, we experimented on our own home during its built. We improved the process and helped streamline it. There are many ways to achieve the same result and we are always open to new ideas and products, but the core requirement is always the same - dedication to the end result and an open mind. In the end I don't have my own barrel to push about what design is best or what material is superior - I just want to build better performing homes for people who have realized that current, local building standards have to be one of the lowest in the world.

I would love to hear from you. Feel free to call me on 0431478139.
Regards Nils

Posted Friday 12 Apr 2013 @ 1:13:17 am from IP #
shmicho
Member

Hi Scott,

I know you posted your initial post a while back but I wondered how you were going?
We are in the initial stages of doing the same thing and have talked to quite a few people already and are struggling to find someone to build within our budget which I also think is quite reasonable but like yours not massive (who knows if we're on the page or not?) We've spoken to John Maitland as well as Energy Aspect living as well as a few others.
Anyway if you want to PM or post back I'd be keen to swap notes.

Posted Tuesday 11 Jun 2013 @ 10:07:16 am from IP #
ATA Adelaide
Member

I suggest you come along to the ATA meeting on the 3rd Monday of each month.
(Excepting December)

We have the names of 12 or more Adelaide based sustainable architects and designers available to suit varying project types / price brackets / and materials that will be of use to you.

So come along, make yourself known and we can help you out.

Posted Friday 14 Jun 2013 @ 4:49:30 am from IP #
Project Wahroonga
Member

Hi Shmico,

We have just commenced the process and have met with a few different parties and are proceeding to have initial concepts prepared.

We haven't run into any issues with our budget so far.

Will send a PM shortly with more details.

As per the post above the local ATA meeting can be a good source of ideas and contacts.

Cheers

Scott

Posted Friday 14 Jun 2013 @ 11:16:39 pm from IP #
Jcs
Member

I attended the Adelaide meeting last night. Interesting talk.

I'm also interested in designers/builders who have achieved good energy star ratings
They are not that easy to find.

Another company in Adelaide is Energy Aspect Living, who seem to have had some good results. http://www.energyaspectliving.com.au/

Being that a house is such a big investment, and so many builders are only interested in just meeting the minimum rating, it would be useful to have a list of those builders/ designers who have achieved good results. Any others care to share?

Posted Tuesday 18 Jun 2013 @ 2:50:42 am from IP #
ATA Adelaide
Member

Hi Shmicho,

Could you send us your email address so I can send through the list of names.

The one I have is bouncing.

adelaidebranch@ata.org.au

Many thanks
Steve

Posted Wednesday 19 Jun 2013 @ 7:40:20 am from IP #
Anonymous
Unregistered

We had a look at few display homes and found Format homes to be a good pick out of the lot. Also, one of my friend built a home with Weeks & Macklin and she was happy with their quotation,service and quality.
Last but not the least I haven't heard any positive reviews for format homes so they are out of my list.

Posted Monday 7 Jul 2014 @ 8:14:06 am from IP #
Johnnojack
Member

I looked a Format homes, like all of what they offered except the steel frame. They couldn't explain to me how they address the thermal bridging of the steel. The reaction was as if it was they first time anyone had ever asked the question.

Posted Wednesday 9 Jul 2014 @ 2:17:21 am from IP #

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