Sustainable Update Edition 2 2006
SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS NEWSLETTER
In this edition
A note from our managing director
Then:
1. Deconstruction - how to unbuild a house!
2. Force 5 - recycling construction waste
3. Retrofitting a Skyscraper
4. Timber - it grows on trees
5. The Treehouse - our new project on Stradbroke Island.
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A Note from Brett McKenzie:
One of the biggest things that we face today is the affordability of housing, property, land.
We have an imbalance with the land values component of property because of the upward pressure of a culmination of external taxes and increased infrastructure charges from local council. This along with delayed or prolonged planning processes and ultimately the approval process, is driving up consultancy and holding costs.
For a cross section it is the 46% tax on land is absolute madness. No wonder the commonwealth government has a massive surplus account and the average family see "the great Australian dream" as we totally out of reach.
The solution is for Government and local authorities alike to work with economists in infrastructure areas to forecast out 30 years at least, to ascertain the needs for the future. Sustainability is the only solution, developers need to adopt best practice in this area and local council need to release their reliance on head works charges and infrastructure management for income.
What is needed is the adoption of Sustainable practices and a controlled expedient land release. Projects need an 'outcomes focused' approach for delivering on specific project targets, with the aim being to deliver 'whole of life cycle requirements and costs' that have the needs of the community placed as a priority. This will drive our land and infrastructure costs down and reduce the demand placed on our current supply system.
The disproportionate cost of land is preventing the correct and necessary investment into good architecture. It is only this investment that allows for the Sustainable features that provide our homes with the ability to reduce and avert the upward costs of running and maintenance. Thus automatically reducing our ecological footprint on this earth.
Brett McKenzie MD
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1. Deconstruction - how to unbuild a house!
Many processes that are regularly carried out by the construction industry, such as building demolition, have been done in a similar way for a long time. Bad habits can be hard to break and the construction industry is not alone in holding on to outdated practices. It may even be true that altering standard methods would save operators time and money, it is merely education and willingness to change that is lacking.
You may be aware that Sustainable Pty Ltd has Resource Recovery amongst our range of services. An important part of resource recovery is the careful deconstruction of unwanted buildings in order to recycle their components and materials. The fastest way to demolish a building, of course, is to smash it into small pieces and carry it away to the dump. With planning and good management, however, the unwanted building can be recycled into new buildings, reducing waste, pollution and the embodied energy in the new buildings.
If this good planning comes in before the original building is built or renovated, then the future re-use of its components can be pre-determined. This is vital 'cradle to grave design' that leads to much greater resource efficiency.
Many of the costs of construction are increasing at a rapid rate: new materials, transport, landfill costs etc. A building designed with its waste destination incorporated into the initial design process will incur less cost at each stage of the process.
There are many other benefits:
- The deconstruction site is far tidier and less polluting than a demolition site.
- The goal of longevity for components boosts the quality of installation, treatment, maintenance and sealing: benefiting the current home and the recycling value.
- Changing the mindsets of construction workers creates many benefits on site.
Materials can be re-used as entire walls or floors, features within the home, landscape features. Because Sustainable Pty Ltd has operations in all areas of construction, design and landscaping, we can most effectively utilise this ecologically responsible practice.
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2. Force 5 - recycling construction waste
Welcome to the new way of managing construction sites. Safer, cleaner and far more environmentally sound than traditional skip bins, Force 5 recycling is an excellent way to utilise what would otherwise be landfill. In fact, construction site waste contributes up to 45% of total landfill volume in Australia. Upwards of 95% of that waste is recyclable materials that can be employed on site to save money and improve conditions.
Force 5 uses the Packer 750 grinder along with a bob-cat and tip truck and a crew of two or three involved from the start of construction. Site wastes such as roofing tiles, bricks and plasterboard are ground into aggregates that can then be used to create safe paths and driveways. Timber wastes create woodchip that protects the soil and reduces runoff. Force 5 cleans the slab, backfills rebates as well as many other valuable services. It is an efficient way to manage a site, neat to look at, good for the appearances of the construction company and good for the workers on site.
This is a new system and technology only recently arrived in Queensland and NSW through their joint venture with Sustainable. Force 5 has just appointed a Managing Director, Tony Franklin, and the Packer 750 grinder has arrived in Brisbane. Companies such as Mirvac, Indigo Homes, Plantation Homes and 21st Century Homes are on board, and the construction industry looks set to be revolutionised. For more information and images visit http://www.sustainablebuildings.com.au/default.asp?d=122605&p=100413
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3. What would it take to retrofit a Skyscraper?
Sustainable can convert any suburban home to a cool, bright and energy efficient place to live. What if we upped the scale somewhat and tackled some of the multiplying high rises in Brisbane's CBD. What would it would take?
- The first basic step would be to install a timed lighting system.
- With a change of attitude and settings, the next step would be smart conditioning.
- Introducing passive lighting is vital to the process.
- Make the most of the new natural light source and create people-friendly space.
- A large city building has a very large surface area that facilitates harvesting. All the water in the building used for secondary purposes such as toilet flushing and hosing surfaces could be gained from runoff that otherwise goes, polluted from street surfaces, straight to our river.
- Create green walls and balconies.
- The building would also have centralised administration. By pooling available resources, funds, wastes and large machines, costs are minimised and efficiency is greatly increased.
The corporate sector has a responsibility to make businesses sustainable. That's not just economics. People should be happy and healthy and the impact on our finite resources and the environment should be minimal.
For more detail visit http://www.sustainablebuildings.com.au/default.asp?d=100414
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4. Timber - it grows on trees
Timber Queensland was formed in July 2003 from the merging of the QLD Timber Board and the Timber Research and Development Advisory Council. They aim to support and encourage the development of the industry and its members. Sustainable Pty Ltd is currently involved in the construction of a display house on the MIRVAC estate in Moggil showcasing the diversity and adaptability of timber products as well as its inherent warmth and beauty.
There are many advantages to using timber instead of cement, bricks and steel:
- 60% of timber used in Australia is from renewable plantation sources, and that figure is set to increase to 75% by 2010.
- Timber plantations are carbon sinks, can rejuvenate ex-agricultural land and retain more native vegetation than agricultural land.
- Timber production consumes less energy and produces less toxic waste than other construction materials.
- Timber is light and easy to handle.
- Timber building components can be moved, re-used and recycled.
- If damage occurs to part of a house, timber components are much easier to replace than other materials.
- Timber is biodegradeable provided it's not treated with toxic substances.
- A raised timber house accommodates a sloping or difficult site without major cutting and filling and increases air flow around the house.
- Timber's flexibility allows some soil movement without major structural damage.
A recent report by the Centre for Subtropical design (QUT) on sustainable housing in Queensland recommends timber to replace concrete slabs and brickwork. Our designers at Sustainable use timber in many innovative ways in our constructions. With timber's lower embodied energy and toxic waste products, it's a building material that makes sense. We're happy to be working with Timber Queensland and supporting the Australian timber industry.
Check out www.timberqueensland.com.au
Read more at http://www.sustainablebuildings.com.au/default.asp?d=177409&p=100783
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5. The Treehouse - our new project on Stradbroke Island.
Nestled in the trees away from the road, the "Treehouse" adds a unique aspect to the Stradbroke Island experience. With stunning views over the Pacific Ocean, an open plan layout and featuring extensive use of timber and glass, the house is designed to take full advantage of the spectacular views and the bushland setting creating an inviting indoor/outdoor ambience.
Read more at http://www.sustainablebuildings.com.au/default.asp?d=177398
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Sustainable Pty Ltd
Phone: (07) 3812 7488
Fax: (07) 3812 7477
Mail: PO BOX 2350, Toowong Qld 4006
Email: info@sustainablebuildings.com.au
