Ideas & Advice
Designers in profile
Sanctuary talks to two skilled home designers on their experiences and what shaped their design philosophies.
Read more
House profiles
Sustainable House Day 2026: Come on in
Once a year, hundreds of people across Australia open their doors and share what they’ve learned about making their homes more comfortable, affordable and climate-ready.
Read more
Ideas & Advice
Roadmap to Zero Carbon Homes
The Sustainable Builders Alliance is on a mission to make net zero sustainable homes mainstream. Co-founder Jeremy Spencer introduces the free resources they have created to help.
Read more
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.
Read more
Ideas & Advice
On the drawing board: Two homes from one
In Canberra, Jenny Edwards and her team are becoming experts in conjuring comfortable dwellings for two or more groups of people from older homes that used to house just one.
Read more
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.
Read more
Ideas & Advice
Eco-concrete case studies
Adored for its thermal mass benefits and durability, concrete remains one of the most popular building materials in the world, but its shockingly high embodied carbon footprint cannot be ignored. Luckily, there are now a number of greener alternatives available. Jacinta Cleary examines how they have performed in three different homes.
Read more
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.
Read more
Ideas & Advice
Experts explore: Sid Thoo and Dannielle Robertson on carefully targeted retrofits for comfort
Perth-based duo Dannielle Robertson and Sid Thoo describe how energy assessments can help identify the best places to spend your retrofit money.
Read more
Ideas & Advice
Experts explore: Uta Green on using her new studio as a testing ground
Uta Green explains the design process for her practice’s new studio in Hobart, including using iterative energy ratings to optimise the small building’s performance.
Read more
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 more