Sanctuary 65 out now: Tropical design special

In this issue, we look at sustainable design for the tropics: what to consider for a high-performing, energy-efficient and super comfortable home in warmer climate zones.

We speak to designers from Cairns to Broome for their best advice and a little about a favourite project. Our house profiles include tropical and subtropical builds and renovations that get it right – notably the cool pink-and-white Bundaberg house on our cover, designed to be comfortable without air conditioning. And in On the drawing board, a home on Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands shows off best-practice design for both sustainability and intentional community.

Take a look inside Sanctuary 65

Also in this issue: We visit an off-grid family home built on a budget in regional Victoria, an extension to a heritage Adelaide house designed with an eye to multi-generational living, and a modest-sized 7.6-Star Canberra home for a family of six. Dick Clarke takes eco-friendly, long-life modified wood product Accoya for a test run and explains how it could prove a very handy alternative to native hardwoods for most applications. Renew’s Beyond BAL team recaps the project and presents the best green homes going the extra mile for bushfire-resilient design. And as we face the prospect of a hotter, drier fire season thanks to the El Niño climate pattern, we talk to Chris Ferreira about FireWise, a program offering tips and support for bushfire-resilient landscaping and garden design – plus much more.

Sanctuary 65 is on its way to subscribers and on sale in newsagents now. If you haven’t already, subscribe to get every issue delivered. 

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