{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research and analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News and inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Become an apprentice host Hire an apprentice Why host a HIA apprentice? Apprentice partner program Builder & manufacturer program Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Fuel savings See all Planning & safety solutions Building & planning services Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) Solutions for your business Contracts Online Advertise jobs Trusted support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Industrial relations
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom and design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2024 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Perfect principles

Perfect principles

{{ tag.label }} {{ tag.label }} $vuetify.icons.faTimes
Designed to solar passive principles, this colourful and contemporary Brisbane home provides a long-term sustainable lifestyle for its owner.

Laura Valic

Editor

Builder: Crest Building Group

Award: 2022 HIA Australian GreenSmart Sustainable Home

Location: Brisbane

Nudgee House in north Brisbane achieved an impressive 9.3-energy star rating. It’s the result of a creative pairing between the owner and HIA member Crest Building Group, a boutique building firm which is operated by builder Eric Prior and wife Felicity, along with three of their sons. 

Housing talks to Felicity about the client’s vision, the build process and their learnings from undertaking the construction of this award-winning home.

Q: Who lives here? 

Loretta, a retiree, with her chickens.

Q: What’s the style of this home? 

Modern, sustainable custom build, with a semi-detached studio.

Q: What was the client’s brief?

Due to asbestos in the original dwelling, this project required a complete knockdown and rebuild. The owner wanted a sustainable, multigenerational home. She was interested in showcasing an environmentally friendly building on a reasonable budget so others can see how achievable it is. 

The home was to be built so that if she needs care, her family could move into the main house and she could live in the studio apartment. This is situated on the other side of a connecting courtyard. The client had completed a permaculture course and wanted to put the ideas she had learnt about sustainable living into practice.

 Nudgee House, built by Crest Building Group 
The walkway connects to the inviting back deck

Q: What was the build process like?

The project came to us with house plans already drawn up, but they only achieved 4.5 stars. So, we investigated the best way to modify the home to improve its energy efficiency. We refined the design, chose alternative materials and products, and looked at building practices that would help raise the energy rating. 

The project created a suburban sanctuary, from focusing on solar passive design to providing water and food security through the development of a permaculture environment. 

Q: What GreenSmart principles did you incorporate?

We looked at the best orientation of the home on the block, shading and added adjustable louvres along the west-facing wall. To suit the sub-tropical climate and coastal location, the home maximises crossflow ventilation with a central garden atrium. This acts as a funnel, drawing the breezes into the home from every direction. 

With raked ceilings and high glass windows that allows trapped air to escape, as well as insulation to at least R5.4 values, the cooling systems needed within the home are quite minimal. You don’t need double-glazed windows in Queensland, so the client opted for low-E glazing. 

We also added a heat retention hot-water system and a self-sufficient solar PV system with provision for connection to battery storage and electric vehicle charging at a future time.

Every material used was chosen for its sustainability
A central garden atrium adds vibrancy

Q: What materials and products did you choose?

Every material used in the home was carefully chosen for its sustainability, embodied energy value and longevity. The owner chose steel frames, pre-finished CSR Barestone and Wethertex timber features for the exterior. Internally, the home features burnished concrete floors for thermal mass, Austral pre-finished i-Hoop pine ply ceilings and cabinets, and custom sintered stone benchtops to provide a low-VOC, allergy-free environment.

When we demolished the existing home, we retained what materials we could. For example, we took out the floor joists and re-used them as fence posts. There was a low brick fence around the property which we took down and repurposed as fill for the raised slab and to create wicking beds.

We also used recycled 100-year-old re-milled hardwood for decking boards. Where we could, we used recycled materials or locally sourced products with a focus on high sustainability value.

Q: Do you have a favourite room or feature?

I love the courtyard between the two buildings; that area is beautiful. We added stainless-steel wire from the ground to the fascia on the end of the veranda and on the semi-enclosed carport so the owner can grow creepers. The effect is really lovely.

Q: How long did the project take?

It took nine months to build and was completed in February 2021. The client is very happy with the home. Her gardens are growing beautifully and she’s glad not to receive any power bills!

The kitchen utilises pine ply ceilings and cabinets
'I love the courtyard between the two buildings'

Q: What did you learn from this project?

This is the first home that we really focused on the sustainable side of building, but we’ve learnt so much just by this one project. All the research we’ve had to do – it has opened our eyes to a lot of new ideas and to grow our business in this direction.

What struck me is the importance of multi-generational living. Once upon a time you would think of multi-generational living as a main house with a granny flat. In the renovation market there is a lot of scope for bringing in sustainable principles into a build and thinking about how to turn homes into places that can accommodate and connect people, especially in cities where housing is unaffordable for many young people. It starts with being deliberate with how you design homes.

Q: Lastly, as a HIA member, what’s the most valuable part of your membership?

We decided to join HIA from around 2010 because we felt the support was better [compared to other builder associations] and the contracts were better! We also get our insurances from HIA.

We have been encouraged by the support from HIA and have had occasion to call and get some help on things. Everybody has been helpful, and it’s felt like we have someone in our corner. As a community and network, HIA is great for builders.

Published on 9 December 2022

You might also like:

Awards Outdoor Inspiration Projects
Tropical wonder
After running their building and design business for more than 15 years, this husband-and-wife team created a sunny hideaway that won the 2024 HIA Australian Outdoor Project Award.
Jul 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Design Inspiration Projects
Blue steel
Beautifully versatile, this misty blend of cool blues with slate-grey undertones has emerged as a timeless combination. These shades evoke a sense of calmness and serenity, and can be seamlessly integrated with neutrals or bold ac...
Jul 24
1 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Inspiration Residential Projects
Parkside perfection
Perfectly positioned on the edge of the picturesque and heritage-listed Haig Parklands in the heart of Canberra, this award-winning project is the culmination of a visionary collaboration between Bellevue Building and DNA Architec...
Jul 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Building developments Projects
Built with purpose
Created to give independence to wheelchair-bound residents, the 2024 HIA Australian Specialised Housing project showcases the builder’s technical skills, thoughtful approach, and ability to meet a challenge head-on.
Jun 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Inspiration Residential Projects
An opulent oasis
Constructed with a clear vision and intentionality, Oasis Cronulla is all about luxury, location and an elevated lifestyle. As a result, this outstanding development won both the 2024 HIA Australian Apartment of the Year and 2024 ...
Jun 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Inspiration Residential Projects
Into the Horizon
The 2024 HIA-CSR Australian Home of the Year, named ‘Horizon’ for its endless views, is a symphony of bold asymmetric lines, crisply articulated in off-form concrete, steel and glass.
May 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Projects Construction Inspiration
Pushing boundaries
When a South Australian firm constructed an Adelaide home during the pandemic, they managed to incorporate distinctive elements that tested their problem-solving abilities.
Apr 24
3 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Projects Design Inspiration
How to introduce Peach Fuzz
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the prestigious Pantone Colour of the Year program, a global expression of mood and attitude. Its current Colour of the Year, Peach Fuzz, brings a sense of serenity and positivity to any spa...
Mar 24
4 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Building developments Inspiration Projects
Luxury squared
Taking its design cues from classic European architecture, this cleverly engineered, deceptively detailed home has a commanding street presence.
Mar 24
4 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Awards Inspiration Projects
Leap of faith
When a ceramic artist purchased a dilapidated warehouse, he needed a building team that could sympathetically convert this space into a striking home and dynamic studio.
Mar 24
5 mins
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Concrete Inspiration Residential Projects
Curves ahead
Inspired by the modernist glamour of Palm Springs, this curvaceous concrete-and-timber Brisbane home is as cool and fresh as a summer breeze.
Mar 24
3 min
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Residential Awards Inspiration Projects
Fuel for thought
When a couple retired after running a service station for 30 years, they hired a fearless builder to create their dynamic 123 House.
Mar 24
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight