Spotlight: 4 Sustainable Homes in Melbourne

Spotlight: Northcote to St Kilda and the Inner-west

Environment & Nature

In this spotlight, we feature 4 homes in Melbourne (Naarm). This region is home to the Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples of the Kulin nations and has been managed by the traditional owners for over 50,000 years. This region is rich with flora and fauna and is made up of diverse ecosystems, parks and forests. We embrace the natural environment and intend for the homes we design to become part of the landscape and not impact the existing fabric as best we can.

As a part of our design process, we spend time on the land to feel connected to what we’re designing and understand every aspect of the impact we will have with the intent of reducing our impact when building.

Climate & Sustainability 

Our homes are thoughtfully designed to minimise environmental impact. We strive to achieve the highest level of energy efficiency and create carbon-negative homes, placing a strong emphasis on no artificial heating or cooling to minimise each home’s impact on global warming. In Melbourne, each season is distinctly different and climate change is widening the variety of weather temperatures experienced; increasingly hot summers and cooler winters.

Our goal is to achieve a comfortable year-round temperature, letting your home’s design deal with the fluctuations without the need of the occupants switching on their heating or cooling. Our greatest example of this is our 10-star home; an exemplary example achieving the highest NatHERS energy rating. This results in the home having no heating or cooling and therefore, no further impact on global warming. Over the home's life cycle, it becomes carbon negative. This is what we strive to achieve for each of our homes.

Architecture & Design 

Melbourne is home to a rich history of heritage buildings and housing. We embrace this heritage in our homes as it’s a unique testament to a level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that you rarely see in modern construction. By retaining this history, we also allow a home that has stood the test of time to breathe life again rather than ending up in landfill. An example of this is our home, Saltbush.

1. Saltbush, St Kilda West, Bunurong Country

A modern extension balancing heritage preservation with contemporary living. 

Nestled in an urban landscape in St Kilda West, Saltbush stands as a testament to harmonising heritage preservation with modern living, crafting an urban oasis that seamlessly merges the old with the new. 

The two-storey extension, clad in recycled red brick and corrugated black roofing, delicately complements the existing home’s painted brick and terracotta roof, paying homage to the heritage streetscape while adding a contemporary touch. From the street, the extension's tapered roof subtly peeks out, gradually revealing itself as one moves through the house, culminating in a serene backyard retreat.

Bi-fold doors and windows in the living room blur the line between indoors and outdoors, while a neutral interior palette fosters tranquillity, creating a seamless blend of past and present.

The 6.6 Star Home isn't just about aesthetics; it's a beacon of sustainability and ingenuity in design and construction:

• Recycled bricks and FSC-certified timber highlight the commitment to eco-friendly materials, while double-glazed windows and high-density insulation enhance energy efficiency.
• Incorporation of high WELS-rated tapware and a 5,000-litre water tank for greywater reuse, Saltbush exemplifies sustainable living in an urban setting, appealing to those seeking to maximise space, light, and environmental consciousness on compact city sites.
• Despite challenges such as north-facing orientation and tight access, innovative solutions like raised roof lines and strategically placed skylights maximise natural light and ventilation to help achieve a higher energy efficiency and provide more natural light.
• The design of the home maximises space in a tight property; with a spacious outdoor area, generous kitchen, living and dining area, a new laundry, 3 first-floor bedrooms, a bathroom and an ensuite, all adding to the existing 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. We worked closely with the clients to optimise the home for their lifestyle, prioritising space for outdoor connection for their 4 boys. This was previously a tight, congested interior space transformed into an open plan, light-filled extension giving further life to a home that has stood for 100 years. 
• This home is a testament to the importance of retaining heritage architecture in Melbourne. We designed and built the modern extension whilst preserving heritage. Saltbush breathes new life into a home with a rich past and contributes to sustainability efforts by preventing valuable materials from ending up in landfills. 
• From the street view, there is minimal visual impact, the heritage details are retained and seamlessly integrate with the modern extension. This underscores the importance of preserving history while embracing contemporary values, creating a home that honours the past while embracing the future.

2. Kazoku, Northcote, Wurundjeri Country 

Japanese-inspired, sustainable ‘family’ home in Northcote

‘Kazoku’, meaning ‘family’ in Japanese, celebrates family, nature, and low-impact living with a layout that wraps around a central courtyard, providing constant, private outdoor access despite facing a busy street. This Northcote home not only pays homage to Japanese-style architecture but also embodies a lifestyle entwined with the natural world, even within the bustling urban landscape of Melbourne.

“The home balances time spent in shared and private spaces, whilst always being connected with the garden and surrounding nature.”  — The Sociable Weaver 

Drawing on passive solar design the Kazoku's 7.5-star energy rating and sustainable framework is bolstered by a plethora of innovative features:

• The U shape creates a courtyard, allowing more northern light to reach the back portion of the home meaning more natural heating and cooling and an improved energy rating. 
• The charred timber cladding facade, a nod to traditional Japanese design, not only adds character but also serves as a natural termite and fire deterrent.
• The Noki-style eaves are carefully angled to protect the interior from summer heat gain through the hotter months, while allowing sunlight access, warmth and light in the winter months. 
• The Japanese inspired architecture includes high-pitched roofs which create a beautiful double height space within the main living room This allows light to flood into the space and create a sense of space. At the rear of the home and the key feature, the large pitched roof has been designed to create a large attic space for additional bedroom and office space. This gives the occupants flexibility and achieves the design intent of a multi generational family home similar to the Japanese heritage.

Images below are the living room's high pitch and the attic space created.

Through its fusion of Japanese inspiration and environmentally conscious design, Kazoku stands as a testament to The Sociable Weavers' commitment to creating homes that nurture both families and the planet for generations to come.

Featured in ABI Interiors and Dwell.

3. Booyong, Newport, Bunurong Country 

Urban home that seamlessly integrates with nature

Booyong is a 7.3 star home which stands on the land of the Traditional Custodians, the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. The home is a sequence of layered internal spaces and courtyard, each capturing and harnessing northern light to provide tranquillity and warmth throughout the home.

As you enter through a private courtyard, there's a moment to pause, breathe, and immerse yourself in the natural surroundings before stepping inside, setting the tone for the entire experience.

The journey through Booyong is guided by a commitment to quality workmanship and environmental stewardship, evident in every detail:

• Meticulously executed recycled hit-and-miss brickwork provides a softer approach to a solid wall allowing dapples of light and a connection to the arrival courtyard. 
• Energy efficiency takes centre stage with a 'sealed envelope' exterior, passive solar design, and cross-ventilation, minimising the home's environmental footprint through minimal mechanical heating and cooling. The home is installed with a Zehnder ComfoAir Heat Recovery Ventilation System to ensure it maintains high quality indoor air and thermal comfort throughout the year.
• Recycled and sustainably sourced materials, including FSC-certified timber and low VOC paint, prioritise both environmental sustainability and indoor air quality.
• A 5,000 litre rainwater tank was installed to collect and re-use rainwater for the garden taps, washing machine and toilet flushing. The Faucet Strommen plumbing fixtures are water efficient, Australian made products.

“This home, and all homes we’re designing and building, are engrained to help our planet; reduce heating and cooling almost altogether; retain all our water; and inspire food growth.”  — Michael Nowlan, Head of Design & Architect at The Sociable Weaver

This 7.3 Star Home sets a new standard for affordable, energy-efficient, and beautifully crafted homes that not only harmonise with nature but also enrich the lives of those who inhabit them. 

Featured in the Architecture & Design Magazine and The Design Files.

4. Merri Extension, Northcote, Wurundjeri Country 

A small footprint extension amongst the Eucalyptus

In the vibrant heart of Northcote, the Merri Extension epitomises the seamless integration of urban living with natural tranquillity, offering a sanctuary amidst the bustle of city life. Designed with a small footprint, this extension embodies the owners' values of impact investing and renewable energy, harmonising heritage elements with contemporary design principles. 

The name ‘Merri’ refers to the local ‘Merri Creek’ waterway that flows through the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. This waterway connects environmental, heritage and recreational values, as does the Merri Extension home.

From the lush gardens teeming with indigenous flora to the treetop living experience in the upstairs bedrooms, Merri Extension celebrates connection to nature at every turn, redefining family living in harmony with the environment.

“The intention of this design really comes down to connection. Connecting the existing with the new; connecting the outdoor with the indoor; and at the very core, fostering a deeper connection between the inhabitants and nature, all the while, creating zones for our inhabitants to create more meaningful connections with themselves and each other” - Michael Nowlan, Head of Design at The Sociable Weaver

The Merri Extension stands as a testament to sustainable design and mindful construction:

• From passive solar design principles and solar PV to water tanks and clever storage solutions for bicycles, sustainability is woven into every aspect of the home's design and functionality.
• The extension's small footprint, with a ground floor of only 50m2, meaning a minimal footprint on the property whilst gaining so much more additional space for our clients' growing boys. The extension features an additional 3 bedrooms, open living, a daybed/fireplace and a bathroom.
• Natural materials are thoughtfully selected to complement the surrounding landscape; such as the silver top ash timber that will grey off and blend seamlessly into the surrounding trees on this mini oasis property in the heart of Northcote. 
• Retaining heritage details and integrating them seamlessly into the modern extension underscores the importance of preserving history while embracing contemporary values, creating a home that honours the past while embracing the future.
• The extension has little to no visual impact from the street, allowing the heritage home to be retained and not an overbearing architectural response. 

Image below shows the street-view of the extension.