News
Sanctuary 49 coming soon: Backyard builds special
Coming soon! Sanctuary 49 showcases some of Australia’s most inspiring backyard studios, clever infill and brilliant compact spaces.
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Sanctuary: modern green homes is Australia's premier magazine dedicated to sustainable house design.
House profiles
Investing in sustainability
This investment property – designed by a local architect and built on a project home budget – pushes the design envelope on a sloping site.
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House profiles
Designer demountable
A canny reuse project diverted two prefab office pods from landfill to create a light-filled holiday house on a low budget.
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Ideas & Advice
The household gas dilemma
As Australia’s electricity grid greens, gas is losing its position as the cleaner and cheaper fuel choice for households. In fact, by installing gas appliances, many people are locking themselves into higher bills and emissions compared to choosing an all-electric home, as Renew’s ongoing research shows.
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Ideas & Advice
Playspaces: Child’s play gets serious
The importance of play is a hot topic in child development circles. We investigate the changing thinking behind playspace design and how playfulness can be incorporated into all kinds of spaces, both public and private.
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Scenes from Sustainable House Day 2019
Our Sustainable House Day event this on 15 September featured a record 252 homes open across Australia and nearly 50,000 visitors. Several homes from Sanctuary 48 were open, including Heathmont House, Chewton Hemp House, A39 House, and DecoHousing Denmark. Watch our video to see some scenes from the day.
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Research
The Value of Higher Efficiency Homes
The rise of rooftop solar, high efficiency electric technology and low cost thermal efficiency can lead to substantial energy and financial savings for new homes.
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Submission
Consumers speak up on new building standards
Renew and our community partners have responded to options for efficiency improvements for new homes
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News
Sanctuary 48 out now: Sustainable House Day special
The new issue of Sanctuary showcases some of Australia's most interesting sustainable homes, many of which are open for visits on Sustainable House Day, 15 September. We also explore forward-thinking playspace design, give you a guide to finding a green builder, and present a new feature, 'On the drawing board', with architect Matt Elkan.
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News
Welcome to our new Sanctuary editor, Anna
We are excited to welcome Sanctuary's new managing editor, specialist sustainable design writer Anna Cumming.
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Ideas and advice
Ideas & Advice
The household gas dilemma
As Australia’s electricity grid greens, gas is losing its position as the cleaner and cheaper fuel choice for households. In fact, by installing gas appliances, many people are locking themselves into higher bills and emissions compared to choosing an all-electric home, as Renew’s ongoing research shows.
Read more
Ideas & Advice
Playspaces: Child’s play gets serious
The importance of play is a hot topic in child development circles. We investigate the changing thinking behind playspace design and how playfulness can be incorporated into all kinds of spaces, both public and private.
Read more
Ideas & Advice
Are we aiming for the stars?
Two decades after the introduction of the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, an analysis looks at how we’re building, the Star ratings we’re achieving and what needs to change to deliver climate resilient homes.
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Sustainable design events
Design workshop
Design workshop
Design workshop: Connecting indoors and out
Libby Kartzoff and her husband Gary Fry are planning a renovation of their 1950s home on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.
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Design workshop
Design workshop: Making space for family and friends
Anaise and Martin Cotrell are in the planning stages of extending their 1950s double brick home in Adelaide to provide more living space for their family of five. Paul Worroll of Reddog Architects offers an alternative, pavilion-based design.
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Design workshop
Design workshop: A better beach shack
Uta Green of Green Design Architects in Tasmania offers suggestions for how a 1950s beachside shack can be renovated for better thermal efficiency, including options for a low-budget retrofit or a modest extension.
Read moreMore house profiles
House profiles
Investing in sustainability
This investment property – designed by a local architect and built on a project home budget – pushes the design envelope on a sloping site.
Read more
House profiles
Designer demountable
A canny reuse project diverted two prefab office pods from landfill to create a light-filled holiday house on a low budget.
Read more
House profiles
Shacking up
A compact, versatile and functional home on the New South Wales mid-north coast makes the most of recycled and reclaimed materials to create a cabin-like feel.
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