Working across affordable housing projects, budgets are frequently tight and there is a little scope to implement sustainable certifications that can have a significant cost attached to them. However, this does not mean that built environment professionals should not pursue other avenues to establish strong sustainability ambitions that stress durability, low maintenance, circularity and overall carbon reduction across all projects. There are many aspects that can improve project’s environmental outcomes that do not facilitate additional project cost.
Those principles include acknowledging the place specific to each project and considering First Nations and the site social and/or cultural significance and history. Responding to the site climatic conditions and considering the building orientation, connection to external spaces and natural ventilation is critical to lowering reliance on mechanical heating and cooling and consequent improvement in occupant comfort. The effects of building and construction that result in depletion of natural resources and loss of biodiversity can be alleviated by using resources responsibly through rigorous application of design process to establish what is needed in terms of space and materials and through specifying sustainable, robust materials that are preferably Australian made and manufactured locally with low ongoing maintenance. Considering the whole of life carbon during material, structural and services selections as well as placing focus on circularity through using materials with high recycled content and opportunities for end-of-life cycle reuse and recycle are critical in lowering the energy related carbon dioxide, minimising waste and conserving natural resources. Recognising those elements as integral to the journey towards more regenerative built environment and embedding sustainability across all projects aids in delivering an improved ecological, social and economic asset for clients, practices and the communities we work with.