good quality both a renovation and an addition, means more at a glance glass then we because there was a degree of difficulty in getting can access all the old to meet the new,’ he says. Construction time: 16 weeks the winter sun Growing up as the son of a builder on the NSW Project size (renovation and [coming] into the Central Coast, he says that he has always been addition): 325 square metres home and keep all interested in sustainable construction. Project cost: $2,290 per square metre the summer sun out.’ ‘What I have realised about earlier decades – the Roofing and guttering: Colorbond In addition, Craig says time in which this original cottage was erected Wall cladding: James Hardie Scyon that the clients set particular – is that building then was quite sustainable and Stria and ScyonAxon construction conditions. They specified environment-friendly. There was no internet to source Paint (internal and external): the use of low volatile organic compounds (VOC) materials from far away and only limited transport Taubmans in paints, carpets and furnishings. They were also infrastructure. So, builders tended to source locally: Locks and door hardware: Lane concerned about electromagnetic fields (EMF) in local hardwoods, stone and other materials. In many Wall frames: Plantation pine the house. ways we need to get back to that. Joinery: ‘I’ve always been concerned about waste in the • kitchen and island benchtop– ‘You can’t buy sustainability in the form building process, everything from time and energy 40mm Caesarstone of add-on gadgets, and then continue to the use of materials and the power required • cupboard doors – with a lifestyle of energy waste’ to run a home. You can’t buy sustainability in Laminex Natural White the form of add-on gadgets, and then continue • overhead cupboards – with a lifestyle of energy waste. If you want true Laminex Sublime Teak ‘To alleviate these worries, we ensured that sustainability then don’t sell the house you’re in to Insulation: all wiring and modems were stored at the point buy a new one; stay where you are and upgrade. • R2.0 wall insulation batts furthest away from sleeping/living areas. Some There’s a responsibility on all homeowners to to external walls were placed under split-level stairs, others in the reduce their ecological footprint.’ • R1.5 sub-floor furthest away cupboards.’ Not surprisingly, the clients were delighted with • R3.5 ceiling insulation batts Craig has been a builder since 1983. As an the finished home and, after living in it for some 18 accredited HIA GreenSmart professional he was months, told Craig that they have fallen in love with especially proud to add this award to the many it all over again. which Living Green Designer Homes has won since ‘I’m humbled by comments such as these,’ he it was established in 2007. says. ‘After all the work we did on the house, it’s ‘Our business is to design and build sustainable very gratifying to know.’ housing. Every award is special but this one, being www.livinggreendesignerhomes.com.au NOVEMBER 2018 HOUSING 27 PROJECTS