![Material difference](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/material-difference2-816x524.jpg)
Material difference
Homeowner Danny Mathews had plenty of ideas and knowledge about low impact materials and how to use them to improve his period cottage, but he sought the guidance of architect Penny Guild to make it happen.
Read more![Work the room](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/work-the-room6-816x524.jpg)
Work the room
Shrinking the footprint and redesigning and rebuilding one part of this simple beachside house improved its layout, comfort and energy efficiency.
Read more![Natural lightbox](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/natural-lightbox1-816x524.jpg)
Natural lightbox
With thoughtful passive solar design, ageing terraces can be sensitively revitalised to achieve high levels of sustainability – even if the party wall is along the north side.
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Subscribe to Sanctuary magazine
Modern green homes in Australia's premier publication dedicated to sustainable home design.
Subscribe![Eighties revival](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/eighties-revival5-816x524.jpg)
Eighties revival
A standard, single-storey brick house in Brisbane sets a precedent for how 1980s housing stock can be renovated to suit a sub-tropical climate.
Read more![Passive resistance](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Passive_resistance1-816x524.jpg)
Passive resistance
A heritage house in Melbourne’s inner east has collected two major sustainability awards, just as a new report highlights the need for existing houses to be retrofitted to tackle climate change.
Read more![About face](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/about-face-816x524.jpg)
About face
This mountain home demonstrates how you can achieve thermal comfort and energy efficiency despite being oriented to the east and unaided by thermal mass.
Read more![Sitting pretty](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sitting-pretty4-816x524.jpg)
Sitting pretty
This sustainable addition to a period brick home in Melbourne’s inner north is carefully considered to be respectful of the original building, its immediate neighbours and its wider urban context.
Read more![Multi-layered living](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/multi-layered-living1-816x524.jpg)
Multi-layered living
With very little wasted through the build, this former worker’s cottage has been stylishly renovated to stay cool through the intense heat of a Brisbane summer.
Read more![Granny flat upcycle](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/grannyflat1-816x524.jpg)
Granny flat upcycle
A Melbourne couple opted to retain and extensively refurbish their solid brick house and granny flat, integrating them to form a functional, generous family home.
Read more![Case study: Energy renovation](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Energy-retrofit-by-Carlos-Gali-Photography-816x524.jpg)
Case study: Energy renovation
Retrofitting a 0.8 Star brick veneer unit to achieve an 8.4 Star rating proved to be a savvy investment in energy efficiency and better health.
Read more![Renovation automation](https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/renovation-automation-816x524.jpg)
Renovation automation
It is possible to transform an old house with its temperature extremes into a comfy 8.4 Star home – and with the latest home automation tools, you can continue making improvements that reduce energy bills too.
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