Victorian builder wins at national sustainable building awards

Victorian builder Chatham Homes won the HIA Australian GreenSmart Display / Project Home award at the prestigious 2022 Housing Industry Association (HIA) Australian GreenSmart Awards announced on 15th September 2022 in Canberra ACT.

The stylish Blackwood design by Chatham Homes represents the benchmark of energy-efficient display homes. Located in the cold climate of Ballarat in Victoria, the family-friendly home achieves an exceptional 8.2-star NatHERS energy rating.

uPVC windows and doors were used throughout with triple-glazing chosen for superior resistance to thermal bridging. With unrivalled thermal comfort, the four-bedroom, all-electric, solar home pushes the boundaries to demonstrate quality, sustainable living.

Carefully considered materials have been used throughout the home, including low-allergen carpet, low-VOC wall paints, engineered timber floorboards, and no-VOC glues, grouts and membranes to ensure indoor air quality is optimal at all times.

The construction process was equally considered to align with GreenSmart principles, focusing on water conservation and recycling efforts. Runoff was controlled by a silt barrier, with temporary downpipes used to divert stormwater runoff. Building waste was carefully separated to minimise the impact on landfill.

This display home’s overall performance is a culmination of its outstanding thermal performance, design practicality, indoor air quality and cost effectiveness.