Award Winning Design an Energy Saver

Location:	Newcastle
Country:	Australia
Architect:	Karl Ahrens Ahrens Architects 3 Bradford Close Kotara NSW 2289 Ph: 02 4956 1813
Products Used:	Roofing Garage Doors ZINCALUME® steel for Walling
Awards:	Medium Density Developments under A$3 million and the judges' award for Energy Efficiency in the Newcastle Master Builders 2002 Excellence in Building Awards

The designers of a multi award winning redevelopment at Elermore Vale, near Newcastle have made water conservation a major element of the complex. The project captured awards for Medium Density Developments under A$3 million and the judges' award for Energy Efficiency in the Newcastle Master Builders 2002 Excellence in Building Awards.

Design architect, Karl Ahrens of Ahrens Architect said the five unit redevelopment is designed to provide affordable housing with energy efficient design principles, creating ongoing savings for the future occupants.

Each of the five villas incorporates a rainwater tank made from AQUAPLATE® steel to recycle water for use on the garden and the toilet. AQUAPLATE® steel features a food grade polymer lining to help maintain water quality.

The villas are also oriented to harness the sun's rays to warm the units in winter, with courtyards to achieve cross ventilation in the hot summer months.

The five villas all feature roofing made from COLORBOND® steel in the colour Woodland Grey®, with contrasting garage doors made from COLORBOND® steel in the colour Manor Red®.

Each villa also has a feature wall clad in ZINCALUME® steel as a design cue to the AQUAPLATE® steel rainwater tanks, which feature a galvanised steel finish. The units were built by Analogic Construct at Wallsend.

"The villas are all constructed according to Ecologically Sustainable Development design principles and have received high ratings in the House Energy Rating Scheme developed by the CSIRO," said Mr Ahrens.

"The rainwater tanks feed the ensuite to the main bedroom and occupants can switch to the town supply if or when they are empty."

Each tank is also fitted with a tap so the water in them can also be used for watering the garden.

"We adopted an Australian theme throughout the project with a colour scheme that relates to earth tones, applying the latest ESD principles to achieve environmentally responsible design," Mr Ahrens said.

The orientation of the villas allows for maximum winter sun access and summer sun protection, with heat pump hot water systems, thermal mass and energy saving appliances all contributing to significant reductions in energy consumption.