Sustainable Homes

A Coastal Home That Treads Lightly On The Earth

This timber-clad residence in Cape Paterson may, at first glance, appear as a straightforward architecturally designed home – but in addition to being exceptionally designed, it is also the first home in Victoria to achieve a 10 Star energy rating.

The project sits in ‘The Cape’ eco village development in Cape Paterson, Victoria, and is a collaboration between award winning architecture firm Clare Cousins Architects and The Sociable Weaver design and build company. The home aligns beauty and sustainability, and unbelievably only produced three bags of rubbish during the entire construction period!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
Sustainable Homes Supported by Sukin

The 10 Star Home by The Sociable Weaver and Clare Cousins Architects. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

The timber clad house has the highest possible environmental credentials! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

The rugged Cape Paterson setting. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

Green AND beautiful! The Dreamer Couch by Pop & Scott, artwork by Spencer Shakespeare. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

The home opens up to welcome indoor/outdoor living. Artwork by Spencer Shakespeare. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

All of the timber used in the home is Forest Stewardship Council certified. Artwork by Bobby Clark, ceramics by Simone Karras. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

Kitchen detail, with Sukin Kimmy Hogan Hand Wash and Hand Cream. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

Clean lines and clean green footprint. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

Has sustainability ever looked so good? Kitchen, with artwork by Bobby Clark, ceramics by Simone Karras, with Sukin Kimmy Hogan Hand Wash and Hand Cream. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

Bed side details, with the Sukin Signature Hand and Nail Cream Tube, and Hydrating Facial Masque. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

Sukin Signature Hand and Nail Cream Tube, and Hydrating Facial Masque with a Tantri Mustica vase. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

Bedroom details. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

The surrounding coastal dunes. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

A hop skip and jump away from the beach! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

In the bathroom with the Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Untinted Sunscreen, Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub and Signature Foaming Facial Cleanser Pump. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files. Styling – Lucy Feagins.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
12th of November 2019

This sleek, contemporary home at Cape Paterson in the eco village development ‘The Cape’  was built with a specific agenda – to show that sustainability can be beautiful! The Sociable Weaver (TSW) is a developer committed to creating practical, economic and environmentally conscious homes, and in this project worked with architect firm Clare Cousins to create a home that exemplifies this ethos, without compromising on style.

Dave Martin of The Sociable Weaver explains the intent of the project: ‘we wanted to show that we could create a home that was 10 star, carbon positive, as close to zero waste as possible, incorporating building biology dynamics, and ultimately beautifully designed.’ Dave was familiar with the work of Clare Cousins Architects, and saw the potential of aligning the environmental principles of TSW, with the design credentials of the celebrated Melbourne architecture firm.

The coastal home uses passive solar design and cross ventilation to avoid the need for heaters or air conditioning, while double glazing keeps the warmth in. Other eco credentials include the use of Forest Stewardship Council certified hardwood, photovaltic solar panels on the roof, and the use of natural sealants and paints. While the home was designed to showcase The Sociable Weaver’s sustainable build credentials, Dave highlights ‘we ultimately hope the standard of this build becomes mainstream.’

Being green isn’t always easy, and Dave highlights the difficulties of balancing a zero waste philosophy (amazingly, only three garbage bags of landfill were created in this project!), with high standards for the build itself, and of course, a commitment to carbon neutrality. He describes it was like ‘designing a Swiss watch – all components must work in unison, as they have an overall effect on the energy rating.’

The 10 Star House is an exciting project for its ability to demonstrate just what is possible when forward-thinking architecture meets environmental ideals. Dave describes ‘by doing this, it creates a ripple effect – bringing these philosophies and building projects more into the mainstream.’ For The Sociable Weaver, this home has set a new benchmark for the future.

Australian skincare company Sukin do everything they can to ensure our environment is protected. From partnering with Reef Aid to ensure the Great Barrier Reef has a future, to fully offsetting their carbon footprint. Discover the world of natural, and read more about their sustainability efforts at the Sukin Journal

 

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