Garden design guru Jamie Durie has joined forces with Chatham Homes to champion greener building in a partnership focused on encouraging more sustainable, healthy and climate resilient homes.
Durie has more than 40 international design awards to his name and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2013 in recognition of his commitment to and work in the environmental sector spanning 29 years.
Chatham Homes managing director Bradley Hall said Durie’s passion for sustainable design and living made him the perfect partner for Chatham.
“Jamie Durie is an Australian design icon with more than 24 years of experience crafting spaces that not only improve the lives of those who live in them, but also the environment. This is also what drives Chatham Homes.”
The horticulturalist and author of 12 best-selling design books said he was thrilled to partner with his first home builder, and one that was creating healthier, more energy and cost efficient homes at prices Australian families could afford;
“It’s so refreshing to find a builder who’s as passionate as I am about all things green. The team at Chatham is doing an incredible job using the latest environmental technology and best quality practices to not only tread more lightly on the environment but to demystify the art of green building. Together, we will challenge the industry and raise awareness for sustainable practices in home building for consumers. It’s our shared goal that more Australian builders follow these green initiatives to build a better future for Australia.”
Encouraging the home construction industry to do better to confront the challenges of living in a changing climate is high on the partnership agenda.
Most new homes are not being built for maximum resilience against the impacts of climate change, with just 1.5 per cent of new builds achieving a 7.5+ star energy efficiency rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).
Chatham Homes’ Blackwood display home in Ballarat’s Lucas estate has an 8.2 star energy rating, while our Arlington display home in the Attwell estate in Deanside, in Melbourne’s west, has a 7.2 star rating. Both these displays are also HIA GreenSmart Display Home and Energy Efficiency finalists.
Our Blackwood display home in Ballarat has also achieved the Green Building Council (GBCA) Green Star ‘As Built’ certification – making Chatham Homes the first residential volume builder in Australia to achieve this internationally recognised certification.
We are at the forefront of the healthy home movement in Australia. Our team brings the world’s latest wellbeing technologies, sustainable materials, and smart appliances to every home we build here in Victoria.
Visit our Environmental, Social & Governance page to read more about our environmental and sustainable principles and commitments.
