The winning entry by Team Collaborative Future, one of the four finalists in the Zero Carbon Challenge by the South Australian Government, is a zero-carbon designed home: liveable, affordable and adaptable that would offset the energy used in its construction and everyday running so the net emissions would be zero. They designed a low-energy, classic-looking dwelling using innovative materials and a construction method that would be unique in South Australia. Housing and Urban Development Minister Patrick Conlon, although unable to attend the award ceremony, congratulated the winning team and said, "At a cost of around $335,000 (excluding GST), a 7.5-star energy rating, net zero-operational energy and a 16-week construction time, the home that Team Collaborative Future has designed ticks a lot of boxes and is a worthy winner." Construction of the zero-carbon house will begin mid-year at the Lochiel Park Green Village, Campbelltown.

New Home Design Ideas: Functional and Environmentally Sustainable

To create a new home design doesn’t only mean creating something aesthetically beautiful; it must also be comfortable, enduring and eco-friendly, especially with the world’s drive towards environmental sustainability. There are various home designs for the conservative homeowners and for modern young professionals, but the key factor when making house plans is personality. It should speak about the people living in the house and must reflect their concern of the house’s environmental impact.

If you’re looking for the right design that suits your needs, you can seek the help of architects who can put your ideas into paper. But if you’re working on a time and budget constraint, then you can visit Elements of Design and browse through their portfolio of pre-designed homes which are working drawings, suitable for use anywhere in Australia and ready for submission to Council for approval and to builders for construction.

Your home designs will have to depend largely on your lifestyle; who you are will determine the kind of house you’ll have. It should be beautifully designed, climate responsive and functional for potential future home buyers as well. Aside from the basic home features: bedrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, family room, and bathrooms, it’s important that you include some add-ons to your new home design. Below is a suggested list of home design ideas you can also include, depending on your house size and budget:

• Storage, cabinets, closets and pantry – space planning is important to avoid looking and feeling congested

• Kitchen counters and island – for a spacious kitchen work space

• Master bedroom sitting area – enough space for a table and a couple of chairs

• Mudroom – a buffer between the outdoors and the interior of the home for dirty shoes, coats, keys, umbrellas, etc.

• Insulation – roofs and walls should be properly insulated

• Ventilation – natural direct and cross ventilation in rooms and other parts of the house

• Windows – for passive heating and cooling, prevent summer heat from entering and allow winter sun to warm the house

• Lighting – low-energy lamps and lights

Your design should be geared towards a sustainable home: healthier environment inside and outside the house.