After the floods many of us are questioning how we can stop this destruction happening again? A major flood completely destroys our house and even the landscape it sits on.
Of course, there is little many of us can do to stop Mother Nature in a bad mood! But there are things we can do to prevent complete destruction of the landscape we call home.
[Read more…]Family home at The Gap [in Brisbane] which featured in the The Sunday Mail Dream Homes 2009 feature.
Read about the full transformation of the space, which was occupied with an unwanted pool, and converted into a 45,000L water tank complete with a beautifully landscaped backyard.
ECO-FRIENDLY: Transforming the family pool into outdoor living space was always going to save water, especially as the redesigned area (above, with landscape architect Tobias Volbert) now doubles as a water trap.
An eco-conscious Brisbane family has put the planet ahead of summer fun by turning their pool into a water trap to feed the garden. The really clever part was to disguise it with an outdoor room on a floating deck.
Landscape architect Tobias Volbert from Sustainable Buildings said re-directing water was the key to this $250,000 project.
The spend included transforming the front garden, engineering works, building the floating decks, doing a vegetable patch, converting the pool and waterproofing a garage.
Now when it rains, water is captured and filtered in large gravel pits underneath the floating decks, which is then diverted to water the front garden. The remainder spills over into the storm water system.
“So often you see after rain people still get out and water their lawn,” Mr Volbert said. “This way everything is thoroughly watered.”
Drought proofing the property was a requirement.
The 45,000-litre pool-turned-water tank ensures there is enough water to supply all of the productive landscape and it will eventually be plumbed into the house.
Before being transformed into a giant water receptacle, the pool was cleaned and water-proofed. Engineering works were then completed before attaching a concrete lid.
Rain water diverted from the house roof is led into the water tank and used to water the new L-shaped vegetable patch and the garden.
“One big rain and the tank is full and there’s enough water there to water the garden for the next four months.”
The family said they were “thrilled” with the new look.
“It is a place where you can be comfortable entertaining, lounging, gardening, or just hiding from the world,” they said.
“We have spent more time in the new space in the past couple of months than in the previous eight years.”
Give Sustainable a call NOW on (07) 3201 1177 to talk to your highly awarded experts in sustainable home design and construction and start planning your new sustainablehome today!
YANGAN CASH AND CARRY
Yangan Cash and Carry (YCC) is a Sustainable commitment which allows the residents of Yangan a place to shop, meet and buy local products. Its sole focus is on the community, encouraging the sale of local produce, offering local delivery to residents and a encouraging sustainability.
Sustainable has injected an enormous amount of capital into the YCC because they believe in the importance of community and providing a meeting venue for the residents to meet, socialise and interact on a daily basis.
Sustainable YCC have been involved in local sponsorship of events including a charity horse ride, which raised much needed funds for the local school at Yangan. Read the full article here.
The Brookwater Design Studio features in the prestige Brookwater development which is located in Brisbane’s leafy western suburbs.
Brookwater has provided to be the ultimate template to display Sustainable’ strengths of adding value to raw, dramatic topography and creating long term net worth through interpretation of sensitive design and Sustainable House Construction.
The spectacular site is the inspiration for this striking designer home, with the dramatic slope of the terrain providing the basis for the innovative architectural design. The site also offers passive solar and cooling elements and maximum use is made of these to enhance living conditions while making the residence economical and energy efficient.
A key philosophy in developing this project was to always touch the earth lightly so as to disturb the least amount of soil in cut and fill. The Brookwater Design Studio reflects this by creating an important physical connection to the earth with a masonry blade wall running the length of the building, projecting out in a radius to fully capture the spectacular views and the magnificent nearby golf course.
Sustainable re-used the soil extracted from the foundations within the site to create the least possible disturbance to the surrounding environs. This is further enhanced by home’s feeling of hanging high among the natural forest and merging with the landscape. The stunning effect for visitors and passers-by is that of a home which has grown from its site like a native plant from the earth.
The project was built with the belief that a home should be a monument of individualism, a place of refuge and also a solid family foundation. The Brookwater Design Studio reflects these beliefs through Sustainable House Construction by consisting of as few rooms as possible without becoming one large common room. Family life is centred around the breath-taking living areas with the slumber areas providing a pleasant and restful experience.
The Brookwater Design Studio’s colour schemes are inspired by the local native area and reflect the belief that colour inspiration derived from nature provides the most pleasing and timeless exteriors and interiors. The home bears the Sustainable trademark of being uplifting and comforting – soothing for day-to-day living but consistently inspiring for the people who live within.
The Brookwater Design Studio encapsulates the best that Sustainable has to offer with its innovative sustainable architecture design and strong synergies with nature, particularly the site and the surrounding environment. It highlights to all who visit that a stylish Queensland lifestyle is attainable without diminishing the amazing beauty of our native landscape and environment.
The Brookwater Design Studio is Sustainable biggest award-winning development to date, see all awards here.
QMBA 2005 – Winner Best Individual Home Value $400,000-$600,000
HOUSING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
HOUSING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
QUEENSLAND MASTER BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION AWARDS
