Sustainable House Day is an event from Renew that provides the opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most inspiring homes, and learn from the people who designed them, built them, and live in them.

Following a day of open-home tours around the country on 21st April 2024, a month of Extension Sessions offered a deep dive into a range of sustainability topics. Australia's best architects, designers, tradespeople and experts came together to offer guidance, and homeowners offered first hand experience. If you're considering a sustainable build or renovation, this series is for you.

You can book for this recording independently, or grab an Extension Session Pass to attend the whole series at a discounted price.

Session 3: Foundations to finishes: Choosing the appropriate building materials

Choosing the right sustainable building materials for your project can be a daunting task. In this session we talked through the pros and cons of various natural building materials like rammed earth, strawbale and recycled timber, as well as exploring innovative new materials and the ideal environments for their use.

An expert panel of leading sustainable architects and designers will offered guidance and advice.

Featuring:

Matthew Carland, Director/Registered Builder, Carland Constructions

Matthew Carland is a Passive House expert, building science nerd and builder located in Melbourne with over 13 years of experience in the construction industry. Matthew is the Director of Carland Constructions, who works in collaboration with architects and designers to provide clients with what they believe to be the most sustainable form of building possible.

Talina Edwards, Director, Envirotecture

Talina Edwards cares deeply about nature-aligned buildings that are healthy for people and planet. She is an Architect and Director of Envirotecture, and leads the Victorian team. Talina regularly speaks at conferences and events to share her passion for more regenerative architecture. Envirotecture have been designing sustainable homes across Australia for over 25 years (and have been proudly involved since the very first Sustainable House Days back then)!

Sarah Corbet, Homeowner - Lyonville Hemp House

Sarah and David Corbet are the homeowners of Lyonville Hemp House - a featured home of SHD 2024. The owner builders of this small yet beautiful home opposite the Wombat Forest, were deeply engaged in all elements of research, design, construction. The simple design features raked ceilings and is built using hempcrete. The house uses salvaged messmate timbers for balustrades, floorboards, doors, kitchen cupboards, shelving, architraves and skirting boards, with warm oiled timber compliments the clay plaster walls and burnished concrete floors.

Hosted by:

Rachel Goldlust, Sustainability Researcher, Renew

Dr Rachel Goldlust brings experience in environmental education, project management, facilitation and a range of writing, communication and presentation skills. Rachel has worked for community organisations, local governments, universities, and as a research assistant, contractor and consultant across history, planning and natural building. As an academic in the environmental humanities, she continues to research and publish on off-grid lifestyles and choices, alongside sustainable land use and housing.

Tickets

You can purchase a ticket to this event individually, or consider an Extension Session Pass, giving you access to all of our Extension Sessions at a discounted price.
Sustainable House Day is an event by Renew.

Our sponsors

Sustainable House Day wouldn't be possible without our amazing sponsors, we are so grateful for their support. Gold Sponsors: NSW Architects Registration Board. Silver Sponsors: Bank Australia, Witchcliffe Ecovillage. Bronze Sponsors: Cargocylces, Envirotecture, and Light House Architecture and Science.

Contact the host of Foundations to finishes: Choosing the appropriate building materials Recording