New residents moving into The Ponds in Sydney’s north-west are proving to be environmental crusaders by virtue of their active integration of sustainable building and living techniques into their homes.
Landcom recently opened its first Eco-Living Display Home at The Ponds to demonstrate the feasibility of building sustainable homes to prospective home owners. However, a number of residents were already well down that path, including June and Bill Heinrich, who worked closely with the builder of their new home to ensure it incorporated many sustainability features.
“I worked in the community services area with seniors’ living groups for most of my life and witnessed first-hand the impact that moving house several times had on the individuals involved, their families and the environment. In recent years I became aware of the universal housing concept, as well as the money people could save by incorporating basic sustainability principles into their homes,” said Dr Heinrich.
“The Ponds is a beautiful new community. It was very important to us that our home complimented its natural bushland setting. Particular attention was given to ensuring numerous sustainability measures were incorporated that were designed to meet both our needs and those of the environment. The universal housing principles woven into the design will allow us to live here for the rest of our lives.”
Steve Driscoll, Landcom’s Sustainability and Policy Director commented, “Homeowners have taken to the first Eco-Living Display Home with many expressing interest in incorporating various sustainability initiatives on display into their own homes. June and Bill are great examples of people who are showcasing how easily sustainability initiatives can be integrated into a home at the building stage with minimal extra cost.”
“The universal housing principles, which offer practical solutions to the needs of our ageing population, are also very important. Landcom is currently building several homes that utilise these principles for not-for-profit groups and the community housing sector. By incorporating these principles into the Eco-Living Display Home at The Ponds we expect increasing numbers of people to see the significant benefits associated with building a home that is suitable for the entire life cycle.”
“People move several times during their lives, which puts enormous pressure on resources and the environment. Landcom intends to help make sustainable housing principles the ‘norm’ in new homes, not the exception, to help protect our environment,” he added.
Features of the Heinrich’s house include being built on a corner block to gain maximum sun exposure, north-east facing living areas to capture sunlight and additional insulation to retain the heat and exclude the cold. Plantation shutters keep the sunlight out in summer, solar gas heating and PVC cells on the roof are additional highlights, while air conditioning zones and ceiling fans in all rooms help minimise air conditioning use.
Additional features include native plants in the garden to attract birdlife and a worm farm in the garden to assist with recycling activities. The Heinrich’s home is located across from the local park which is an entertainment focus for young children visiting their home.
Universal housing principles incorporated into the home include non-slip tiles, level transition areas, wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, downstairs positioning of the main bedroom and a larger bathroom which can cater for a carer if required.
For further information visit: www.ecolivingdisplayhomes.com.au
Media contact: Natasha McGuire, Red Leopard PR, Phone: 02 9328 4248 or 04000 90553.
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