News
Sanctuary 70 out now: Volume build special
Sanctuary 70 is our volume build special, bringing you tips, tricks and case studies to help you achieve a more sustainable project home.
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Sanctuary: modern green homes is Australia's premier magazine dedicated to sustainable house design.
House profiles
Garden gem
A diminutive build in the back garden provides a quiet retreat for a Northern Rivers family, and was a testing ground for design and construction ideas.
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Outdoors
Swimming sustainably
Australian homeowners have increasingly been turning to natural pools as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional swimming pools. Jacqui Hagen dives in.
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Sustainable Design
Sustainable House Day 2025
On Sunday, 4 May 2025, Sustainable House Day returns, offering a unique opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most inspiring eco-friendly homes. We bring you an overview of the event, plus a sneak peek at a handful of the great homes participating.
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House profiles
Green getaway
Simple and striking, this Brisbane family’s new backyard retreat is a triumph.
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House profiles
From dated to delightful
Reclaimed timber infuses character and warmth into a 1970s Canberra townhouse, and thoughtful design choices make it more functional for day-to-day living.
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Outdoors
Sweet spot: Sustainable midrise for healthy, nature-positive communities
An alternative to both highrise living and urban sprawl, well-designed medium density is the way to go for balancing the needs of people and nature, says ecologist Sarah Bekessy.
Read moreLatest news
Advocacy
How energy efficient is the house you are buying or renting?
How can you tell how energy efficient your new home is? Renew's submission on Mandatory Disclosure outlines why it's a great idea for homes being sold or rented to come with an energy rating.
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Advocacy
ACT looks to expand rental standards for energy efficiency
The ACT Government is consulting on further updates to rental standards after introducing ceiling insulation requirements in 2023
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Advocacy
Better protections for Victorian renters on energy
Victorian renters need stronger minimum energy standards. Read Renew's submission.
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Energy system transition
The question of disconnection: Gas demand is in decline, but is it falling fast enough?
New analysis from Renew finds that more homes are still being connected to gas than disconnected.
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Ideas and advice
Outdoors
Sweet spot: Sustainable midrise for healthy, nature-positive communities
An alternative to both highrise living and urban sprawl, well-designed medium density is the way to go for balancing the needs of people and nature, says ecologist Sarah Bekessy.
Read more
Ideas & Advice
All together now: One-stop shops for energy upgrades
If you want to do a home energy upgrade, it can be hard to know where to start. One-stop shops offer advice, information and referrals all in one place; we take a look at what they’re all about.
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Ideas & Advice
Case study: 130-year-old cottage goes modern electric
Not sure where to start on the electrification journey? Working with a one-stop shop can help streamline the conversion from a gas to an electric home, as Marnie and Ryan discovered.
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Sustainable design events
Design workshop
Design workshop
Design workshop revisited: Small space success
With some small but important changes to the internal layout based on our expert’s advice, this expanding young Canberra family is getting more out of their diminutive apartment.
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Design workshop
Design workshop: Making a small space work harder
Young professional couple Jess and David love their diminutive Canberra apartment and the productive courtyard garden they have established, and would like to make changes to maximise natural light, make the most of the available space, and accommodate a future family. Small space expert Kate Shepherd of Rob Henry Architects is on hand to help.
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Design workshop
Design workshop: A higher-performing volume build
Kirsten and James are keen to make the project home they’re planning in Camberwell, Victoria, as energy-efficient and comfortable as possible, and have budgeted for some upgrades. Architect Penny Guild and ESD consultant Erika Bartak give the couple some advice on achievable tweaks to improve their home’s performance.
Read moreMore house profiles
House profiles
Garden gem
A diminutive build in the back garden provides a quiet retreat for a Northern Rivers family, and was a testing ground for design and construction ideas.
Read more
House profiles
Green getaway
Simple and striking, this Brisbane family’s new backyard retreat is a triumph.
Read more
House profiles
From dated to delightful
Reclaimed timber infuses character and warmth into a 1970s Canberra townhouse, and thoughtful design choices make it more functional for day-to-day living.
Read more