Sustainable Living Example on School’s Doorstep
27 Redbourne Ave, Mount Eliza
Situated in a serene area of Mount Eliza, 27 Redbourne Avenue stands as a testament to sustainable living and innovative design. This beautifully crafted home is not just a place to live, but a commitment to a greener future with a 7.4 star energy rating. Built by a local owner and builder, alongside his partner, this property exemplifies the perfect blend of comfort, style, and environmental responsibility.
Recently, students from Mount Eliza Secondary College's VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies program had the unique opportunity to tour this remarkable home. Led by their teacher, the group was introduced to the various sustainable features that make this house a standout in modern eco-friendly design. From the carefully sourced materials to the energy-efficient systems, every aspect of this home reflects the owner’s dedication to creating a space that is both beautiful and environmentally conscious.
Features include:
• Lots of insulation! In all the internal and external walls (R4 earthwool) as well as a double layer under the polished concrete floors throughout. Even insulation under the external cladding as well as the ceiling (R6 earthwool) and roof (foil face under roof insulation)– another double layer.
• Sealing of everything to further insulate – around all doors and windows (expandafoam to reduces draughts and increase acoustics), fans and even around the lighting throughout.
• Fans have been installed in every room to help with air movement and circulation
• Sound check plaster, a thicker and denser product which helps with insulation properties as well as acoustics
• The house is oriented to make the most of where the sun is during the day and where the rays will or will not flow into, for heat and light
• The massively high central living zone has electric high light windows way up the top which allow the opening up of this space to let hot air escape if required and the huge central fan here can also be put on reverse to suck the air out
• Sustainable building materials such as the stunning silver top ash cladding used both internally and externally from Radial Timber - link
• Weathertex has also been used which is another sustainable product - link
• Double glazed windows and doors throughout – reduces outside noise as well as increases the insulation throughout the home
• Water tank, which feeds the garden (succulents and natives throughout which require very minimal water) and also is used to flush all the toilets, no need to buy water for this!
• Electric panel heaters (link – Thermosoft LVI Australia) – similar to hydronic but instead of water that needs to be boiled and circulated throughout the house (increases the energy required), these are European designed and have vegetable oil in them that heats up independently of each other, and retains heat compared to water, which means when they are switched off they will maintain heat for hours after!
• Skylights in the bathrooms, cleverly positioned to capture the sun but at tthe right location to not flood in heat during summer. They also allow for ample daylight to come through meaning the light switches can remain off.
• The home stays at a comfortable temperature year round (around 16 to 22 degrees) with minimal need for heating in winter and no air con required in summer!
The students enjoyed walking through this cleverly designed home and being taught about how all the different elements together make this a sustainable house. Having the homeowners present to them also was a highlight in that they weren’t trying to envisage and learn something out of a textbook or online, they could see it and visualise it in the flesh. Some kids even wanted to bring their parents through the house on the weekend!
The home itself is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with the builder personally overseeing much of the construction. The attention to detail is evident in every corner, from the natural light that floods the living spaces to the smart use of sustainable materials that minimize environmental impact while maximizing comfort and functionality.
Mount Eliza Secondary College would like to extend its sincere thanks to the owners for graciously opening their home to our VCE students. This experience, made possible in conjunction with One Agency Peninsula Real Estate, provided invaluable insights into sustainable living practices to inspire the next generation of environmentally conscious thinkers.
Steven Batten Outdoor and Environmental Studies / PE - Mount Eliza Secondary College
27 Redbourne Ave, Mount Eliza is currently For Sale, for more information contact Steve Walsh on 0407 879 877
👉https://oneagencypeninsula.com.au/listinglisting_id=13846875ta Pinable Living Example on School’s Doorstep