Sanctuary 72 out now: Celebrating 20 years of showcasing great green design

In this issue, we’re celebrating 20 years of Sanctuary!

Since our very first issue back in 2005, we’re proud to have showcased the best in Australian sustainable design and how it’s evolving. In our feature article, we chat about all things Sanctuary with a collection of people who’ve been involved with the magazine since the early days, including founding editor Donna Luckman.

Of course, as usual we bring you our pick of the latest crop of ambitious projects from around the country, including a two-storey brick duplex in Canberra that had an internal rejig and a small passive solar extension, with the gas connection removed in the process. Not far away on a bush block, award-winning, off-grid Ochre House is modest in size and designed to sit lightly in its surroundings – and what lovely use of colour. A tired 1990s project home in bayside Melbourne was successfully renovated to Passive House standard, and in Brisbane, a creative reconfiguration and modern extension to a classic Queenslander has made the home far and away lighter and more liveable.

Take a look inside Sanctuary 72

Sustainability is also having a moment when it comes to short-term accommodation. Jen Clark explains the benefits of opting for a truly sustainable or accessible stay, and we profile four top green getaways to get you started. In On the drawing board, homeowner Melanie tells the story of the Passive House forever home she and her husband built in their old backyard. We talk with Uta Green and Rebecca Boyle, winners of last year’s True Zero Carbon Challenge, about their winning design. And Jacqui Hagen investigates the advantages of blending natives with carefully chosen exotic plants in your garden for future climate resilience – plus much more. Happy anniversary to us!

Sanctuary 72 is on its way to subscribers and on sale in newsagents now. You can buy a copy here, and if you haven’t already, subscribe to get every issue delivered. 

We welcome your feedback. Perhaps there’s something else you would you like to see in Sanctuary? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram, or by email.