Bathurst Regional Council is constructing the Bathurst Sustainable Lifestyle House. The Bathurst Sustainable Lifestyle House is an educational project that will showcase a range of construction techniques, materials, design features, fittings and fixtures which are more sustainable than those found in a "standard building".

The project aims to educate both the community and the local building industry, and provide inspiration for members of the community who wish to build or renovate a home.

The Bathurst Sustainable Lifestyle House aims to provide an example of the following triple bottom line objectives:

Environmental
a) Sustainable/efficient energy use (passive design, solar, gas, insulation etc).

b) Low water demand (product efficiency, stormwater harvesting, landscaping, grey
    water reuse, etc).
c) Low waste generation (material use, recycle, compost, worm farm etc).
d) Incorporates environmentally efficient building products.

Social
a) Educational - increase community and building industry knowledge and awareness.
b) Simple, relevant and transferable techniques/systems.
c) Readily available.
d) Practical, functional and liveable.

Financial
a) Affordable/saleable.
b) Cost effective construction.
c) Cost effective fixtures and fittings.

The project aims to provide an example of an affordable family home which is more sustainable than the average home of comparable size. 

The Process of Building Bathurst's Sustainable Lifestyle House
The project is being undertaken in a number of stages, as detailed below:

Stage 1 - Expressions of Interest for Design
Council prepared a brief and sought expressions of interest from suitably qualified architects and building designers in the design of the Bathurst Sustainable Lifestyle House. The expression of interest was advertised in the Western Advocate, on Council's website and through a number of other websites.

Council requested that each submission include two examples of similar projects, an estimate of professional fees and two referees from previous projects. Expressions of Interest closed on 21 July 2009.

Council received 19 high quality submissions from architects and building designers from across NSW and interstate. Council undertook a detailed assessment process where each submission was given a score based on the nominated criteria. These criteria were weighted as follows - Project Value 30%, Project Experience 40% and Project Functionality 30%.

The three highest ranked submissions were invited to submit concept designs for Council's consideration. 

Stage 2 - Preparation of Detailed Design Brief
A community forum was held on 10 August 2009, where all interested members of the community were invited to attend. Council's Director, Environmental, Planning and Building Services made a presentation to the group outlining the framework for the project. Attendees included the Mayor, Councillors, Council Staff and community members.

At the conclusion of the presentation small workshop groups were formed to discuss various topics in detail, including construction techniques, heating and cooling, fittings and fixtures, energy, water and general ideas. These ideas were then presented to the whole group.

Council staff then prepared a detailed design brief for the concept designs which incorporated ideas from the community forum.

Stage 3 - Submission of Concept Designs
Three architects were invited to submit concept designs for the project:

•  Eco Design Architects (PO Box 300, Katoomba NSW 2780; 02 4782 5066)
•  Ecologie Group (02 9484 5533)
•  Envirotecture Projects Pty Ltd (02 9913 3997)

Concept Design submissions closed on 3 November 2009. The detailed design brief required that the architects submit a range of items, including:

•  DA drawings, Construction Certification Drawings, a Landscape Plan and DA 
    documentation
•  A schedule of prices for construction and allowances for fittings and fixtures
•  A schedule of works program
•  A schedule of environmental performance

The schedule of environmental performance required the architects to submit information on the thermal performance of the proposed dwelling (measured by a NatHERs rating), water consumption, embodied energy of construction materials and greenhouse gas emissions of design when occupied.

The concept design submissions were assessed and each submission was given a score based on the following weightings - Project Value 40%, Project Experience 10% and Project Functionality 50%.

Stage 4 - Final Design and submission of Development Application
Council, at its meeting on 9 December 2009, resolved to award the contract for the detailed design to Envirotecture Projects Pty Ltd.

Envirotecture Projects have submitted the final design to Council. Information on the design was available to view at the Sustainable Living Expo on 26 January 2010 as a part of the Australia Day celebrations.

Council has approved a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) for the house. 

Stage 5 - Tender for Construction
Council has released a tender construction of the Bathurst Sustainable Lifestyle House at the beginning of July 2010.

Submissions were invited from all suitably qualified builders. Tenders closed at 4pm on Tuesday, 27 July 2010. Council received two submissions for the project.

The tender will be awarded by Council at its ordinary meeting in August 2010 to Warren Harvey Homes Pty ltd.

Stage 6 - Construction
Construction of the Bathurst Sustainable Lifestyle House commenced in September 2010.

Works are progressing well and further information and updates are detailed in the “construction blog”.


An artist impression of the completed Bathurst Sustainable Lifestyle House.

Stage 7 - Completed Home
When construction is completed, the Bathurst Sustainable Lifestyle House will be officially opened by our Mayor, Cr Paul Toole.

Open days will be held on a regular basis to allow interested members of the community to view the completed home and gardens.

Location of Bathurst's Sustainable Lifestyle House
The Sustainable Lifestyle House will be located at the corner of Blaxland Drive and McGirr Street, Bathurst (Lot 402 DP 1150519). It is part of the Avonlea Estate.

A map showing the location of the house can be viewed here. 

Design Specification for Bathurst's Sustainable Lifestyle House
Each of the architects preparing a concept design was required to meet detailed specifications for the project. The house must also meet the minimum requirements of the Building Code of Australia and relevant Australian Standards.

The specifications included consideration of:

Passive Design
•  Orientation
    -  Maximise area of north facing walls and glazing
    -  Minimise the use of glazing on the eastern side
•  Thermal performance
    -  Locate windows and door openings to allow cooling by cross-ventilation
    -  Ensure size and location of windows and shading maximises solar radiation when
       the temperature is low and minimises solar radiation when the temperature is high
    -  Wall and ceiling/roof insulation
    -  Ground slab edges must be insulated (if concrete ground slab is used). Underside
       of slab must be insulated if a suspended slab is used
    -  Verandas or other shading which can be adjusted (such as with louvres)

Energy
•  Energy Generation
•  Maximise use of natural light
•  Lighting
    -  LED lighting and other high energy efficiency lighting installations
    -  Incorporate task lighting
•  Electricity management
    -  Master switching of areas
    -  "Holiday switch"
    -  Smart metering
•  Heating and Cooling
    -  Maximise use of thermal mass for passive solar heating by locating thermal mass
       in areas that receive direct sunlight (or radiant heat from heaters)
    -  Protect thermal mass from summer sun through shading or insulation and ensure
       sufficient air flow to pass over the thermal mass
    -  Incorporate Ceiling fans (with winter/summer switch)
    -  Auxiliary Heating System to supplement passive solar heating must have a high
       energy efficiency rating
    -  Ensure roof ventilation is adequate to allow built up heat to dissipate
•  Maximise the use of locally sourced construction materials

Water
•  Reticulated water
    -  4 1/2 star WELS rated toilets
    -  3 star WELS rated showerheads
    -  Flow restrictors on all taps
•  Greywater
    -  NSW Health Approved Greywater Treatment system or Greywater Diversion
    -  Sub-surface irrigation of garden by Greywater
•  Blackwater
    -  Diverted to sewer
•  Stormwater/Rainwater
    -  Rainwater tanks sufficient to store roof-water run-off with a minimum capacity of
       10,000L
    -  Rainwater for internal use in laundry and for toilet flushing
    -  Guttering and associated plumbing fixtures must be of a sufficient capacity to
       capture all rainwater from a 1:20 storm without overflow or diversion

Layout
•  4 bedrooms (minimum sizes specified)
•  2 bathrooms
•  Double garage
    -  Driveway constructed of a material which allows infiltration of water
•  Living areas sufficient for a family home (minimum sizes specified)
    -  Design must include features allowing living areas to be divided into smaller areas
•  Utility areas sufficient for a family home (minimum sizes specified)
•  Incorporate airlocks for entries to dwellings
•  Access 
    -  Level access to front and rear of dwelling
    -  Maximise area of dwelling which is wheelchair accessible

Fixtures and Finishes
•  Windows
    -  Double glazing
•  Natural products
    -  Maximise use of natural products in fixtures and finishes
•  Appliances
    -  Any appliance specified must be a minimum of 6 star rating for energy
       consumption
    -  Any appliance specified must be a minimum of 4 star WELS rating for
       water efficiency (where applicable)
•  Paints
    -  Low or no Volatile Organic Compound containing paints
•  Utilise locally sourced fixtures and finishes wherever possible
•  Incorporate an outdoor living area
    -  Ensure integration with indoor living areas

Items for further consideration
The design brief noted that the architects may wish to consider incorporating the following items or techniques:

•  Construction materials
    -  Straw bale renders
    -  Rammed earth walls
    -  Mud brick construction
    -  Insulation of internal walls
    -  Masonry internal walls

•  Heating and cooling
    -  Cellar for storage and to assist with cooling
    -  Greenhouse/conservatory attached to dwelling (north facing position) in
       conjunction with thermal mass to assist with heating in winter
    -  Geothermal/solar powered hydronic heating system
    -  Automation of heating/cooling systems
    -  Louvered windows to maximise ventilation

• Energy Management
  -  Automation of appliances and lighting systems
  -  Motion sensors for lighting systems