“People may think architect designed sustainable housing design is just for the rich. But we feel very strongly that every project should have good, sustainable design, because it’s more affordable to live in. When people don’t have much money it’s even more critical.”
Sonia Graham, Bligh Graham Architects
Sustainable design is for everyone
Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, worker, self-builder, renovator or resident, you can benefit from sustainable building design. Homes and workplaces designed to harness natural elements like air, sun and shade are cheaper to run and more comfortable to live and work in.
When money is tight, climates are changing and housing is in short supply, this becomes even more important. But sustainable design is not just about energy, materials and environmental impact. It also considers quality of life, social needs and housing affordability.
Embedding sustainability into building design
The team at Bligh Graham Architects is proud to have won a national industry award for sustainable architecture. But why are such awards needed? Surely sustainability should be integral to the design of all new buildings and renovations.
Recognising sustainability as a core concern, Bligh Graham embeds it in their architecture process, from initial planning and design to construction and beyond. They believe everyone can benefit from sustainable approaches to building design, because:
- Houses and workspaces are more affordable to run if they follow passive design principles that cut energy use
- Environmental impact is reduced by choosing eco-friendly materials and minimising building waste
- Quality of life can be improved if building design considers the needs of people who live or work there
- Flexible, more efficient designs can adapt to lifestyle or societal changes and help address housing problems.
Sharing insights on sustainable design
Sonia Graham shared sustainability insights and stories at the Sustainability Smorgasbord event hosted by Green Street in October 2024 for Samford Sustainable Business Network members. Watch the video for her 3-minute presentation…
Award-winning home office design
Bligh Graham’s award-winning ‘LiveWorkShare House’ sits on a small 612 sqm block in Samford near Brisbane, QLD. It’s a combined living and work space, accommodating a five-bedroom house, a one-bedroom flat and the architects’ studio.
The building ticks all the boxes for environmentally friendly home design, but its flexibility and adaptability made it an award winner.
The benefits of flexible home design
The Bligh Graham house, flat and office are integrated, providing many different configurations. This flexibility means there’s an option to rearrange the living or working areas in future. So if the office needs more space it can take over a spare bedroom without negatively impacting the house. Or in an extended family scenario, the flat can become part of the house via a connecting walkway.
This sort of flexible thinking could be of value to other homeowners or town planners. Many people love where they live, but when they need less space for children, work or hobbies, they rattle around in a big house. A more flexible layout allows the occupants to shrink the space they live in without moving out, potentially providing housing or workspaces for others.
In addition to adapting to future needs, houses that use space efficiently are cheaper to build and maintain because they use fewer materials and require less energy to heat or cool.
“A lot of the time we end up doing a house reduction, or working within the original footprint of the house because it’s been poorly planned and space is wasted. Always ask yourself if it can be done more simply and efficiently.”
Sonia Graham, Bligh Graham Architects
‘LiveWorkShare House’ gallery
Images from Bligh Graham Architects – see project info
“The need for flexible housing types is pressing given the issues of housing affordability, the reducing prevalence of the nuclear family, increasing numbers of people working from home, and the need to sustainably house a growing population.”
Passive design reduces environmental impact and costs
Passive design involves using natural elements like sun, wind and materials to keep buildings at a comfortable temperature relative to the location and climate. This minimises the use of active heating and cooling systems, cuts energy and running costs, and has a lower environmental impact. It also creates a more pleasant environment for the building’s occupants!
The ‘Live Work Share House’ passive design and environmental strategies include:
- high level windows to let out hot air
- generous doors and windows for cross-ventilation
- acoustic and thermal insulation
- thermal mass concrete floor that is warm in winter and absorbs heat in summer
- solid shutters and retractable blinds to manage sun and shade
- soft garden spaces to avoid radiant heat from paving slabs
- micro-courtyards acting as breezeways
- eco-friendly materials (‘green’ concrete, recycled hardwood, non-toxic finishes)
Passive design: This cross-section view of Bligh Graham Architects ‘Live Work Share House’ shows many passive design strategies.
Turning building waste into a valued resource
The clients for one of Bligh Graham’s recent projects are very passionate about sustainability. They went around building sites collecting bricks left over from pallets from other houses being built. Most of the time they got the bricks for free. Now they have a lovely house with an eclectic variety of bricks. “It’s really quite a fun thing”, says Sonia.
In this case, the home builders did not use first-hand (new) bricks. Nor did they choose second-hand (re-used) bricks, which can be quite expensive. Instead, they used building waste that would otherwise be discarded.
Creating a homely environment
Another of Bligh Graham Architects’ projects is for aged care. Quite often, aged care facilities are not very pleasant environments. The experience can feel very clinical, like going to a hospital.
The architects aim to remove negative vibes and bring in all the qualities of living in a beautiful home. Practical ways to do this include good lighting, cross ventilation, and a clear connection between indoor and outdoor to create a more open, natural feeling. Ultimately, it’s about creating a homely feel so the elderly can live gracefully in a beautiful, relaxing environment.
“Beyond fulfilling their function, buildings should enrich people’s everyday life, promote a sense of wellbeing and engage with our culture.”
Join a Sustainable Business Network
Bligh Graham Architects is a member of the Samford Sustainable Business Network. Members connect via local events and Groups on Green Street. If you’d like to join a local network (or create a new one), contact Green Street.
