Setting the standard for builders in Queensland
November 27, 2013
At the beginning of this month, long time quiet achiever of the Sunshine Coast building industry, James Burrell Homes took out the top gong for the Queensland HIA Greensmart Awards with a home positioned on Lake Weyba, automatically placing them as a finalist in the national awards announced in Sydney early next year.
Each year the HIA Greensmart Awards recognise HIA members who build or design environmentally-friendly homes, provide solutions that make homes more efficient or create new products for the building industry. Outstanding workmanship, design and innovation in sustainability are key criteria to taking home one of these awards.
James Burrell and Lynda Franklin, who have been working on the Sunshine Coast for more than 25 years, were thrilled with winning this prestigious award and are quick to explain this house demonstrates that a ‘green home’ doesn’t need to compromise on luxury.
It is James Burrell Homes’ attention to detail, quality workmanship and the use of new technology in the design, construction and operation of the building that won them this award.
“There have been so many advancements over the years to deliver environmentally sustainable homes with modern-day luxuries and we have always prided ourselves on being open to explore new products and methods in order to deliver a dream home,” Mr Burrell said.
“We have had a fabulous year of award-winning recognition, with this home also being a 2013 Golden Glossies Award Winner for Excellence in Sustainable Building and Design and another home in Yaroomba winning the Australian Institute of Architects 2013 House of the Year for the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Burrell said.
“We are very fortunate to work with some of the best architects in the business to deliver these beautiful homes,” said Mr Burrell.
Andrew Webb from WD Architects was responsible for the design of the winning Lake Weyba home and acknowledges the importance an experienced builder plays in delivering a quality product.
“The relationship between the architect, builder and client needs to be seamless when delivering any project, as we work together very closely to achieve the best possible outcomes – both in regard to liveability for the client and from a sustainability perspective,” Mr Webb said.
This 8-star energy rated home exports six times the amount of electricity to the grid as it consumes, meaning that owners Joe and Karen Shlegeris have earned $2,000 every quarter since the home was completed in June 2012.
The building’s most prominent feature is its roof where at a slope of 18 degrees and oriented to true north it maximises the efficiency of a large 10kW solar system. Poor site orientation and ground conditions made passive solar design a challenge but a high energy rating was achieved through clever design of cross-ventilation, sun shading, appropriate insulation levels, and an enclosed and insulated subfloor perimeter to benefit from stable earth temperature.
James Burrell Homes specialises in custom builds for both residential and commercial use and is based in Coolum.
Ends.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THIS HOME
- 8-star energy rating, despite poor bearing capacity of the site making thermal mass not a viable option
- 11.4 kW solar panels on true north-facing roof for maximum efficiency which exports more than 6 times its power usage back to the grid (as measured over the first six months June-Dec)
- Low embodied energy materials such as cypress pine framing and recycled timbers featured in the stairs and walls and floor
- Screw piers to minimise concrete use
- Solar hot water is positioned at efficient angle for winter sun and located for shortest pipe runs to tank and major outlets
- Low E glass retards heat transfer both ways
- 100% energy-efficient LED lighting
- Local builder, trades and suppliers were used wherever possible to limit embodied energy and to support the regional economy
For more information or high resolution images, please contact Helen Perry from Fresh PR & Marketing on 0431 065 964 or email helen@freshprm.com.au.
[nggallery id=93]
