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PositiveFootprints

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23.01.2022 As part of the concept design process it is important to know from whence your summer breezes blow, so that you can make sure your floorplan incorporates the openings in such a way that these potentially cooling breezes are encouraged to blow through the structure. Local and historical knowledge of the area in summer is preferable, but failing that the Bureau of Metereology has created wind roses for its weather stations across Australia. Click through to your local site on... the following map (www.bom.gov.au/climate/map/climate_avgs/clim_avg1.shtml), download the 3pm summer wind rose, and use it to mark up on your block which way the prevailing breeze blows. Your floorplan and window layout should then, as much as possible, align to allow the prevailing breezes through the structure. The basic rule of thumb is that the exit window should be 20% bigger than the entrance window, and the flow should be as straight as possible without intricate passageways to negotiate. This works well in Melbourne that has regular summer sea breezes from the south, and where you want bigger windows to the north for thermal gain. Casement windows can be very useful, as not only do they open 100%, but they can also placed on the sides of the house, hinged towards the prevailing breeze to scoop it in as it goes past. Moving air can also give an approximate 3 degrees of cooling effect as it goes across the skin evaporating off the moisture. So even if the breeze is the same air temperature outside and in, having good breeze paths through the house will be beneficial. This is why ceiling fans are also so useful. It is also worth checking if there are any summer night time prevailing breezes, as opening windows and bringing in the night air, will passively cool the house over the course of a summers night, ready to close windows the next morning ready for the next hot day. This ability to purge the heat is particularly vital for houses with higher thermal mass. And on those still nights, cooling airflows can still be induced by including clerestory or high windows, and popped ceilings. @builders_declareau #buildingdesign #sustainableliving #sustainabledesign #greendesign

20.01.2022 3 of 10 things I love about the Mason House Project (not in any particular order) The blue glass seeded polished concrete floor. The clerestory windows that flood up this southern living space with warm winter sunlight. This in turn heats up the slab and keeps the temperature constant.... #architecturaldesign #sustainabledesign #melbournedesign #sustainablerenovation #sustainableliving #sustainablearchitecture

19.01.2022 Timber is the backbone material in construction. Are we facing a shortage? What should we do to manage this sustainably? Join us at the next BuildersDeclare webinar where Mark Thompson, award winning architect and director of Responsible Wood will speak about facts and strategies. #goodwood #timber #sustainableliving #sustainabledesign #timberconstruction #timberarchitecture #buildersdeclare #buildingdesign #timberframing To register follow this link https://bit.ly/3udc8jR

15.01.2022 The average Melbourne house produces 8 tonnes CO2 every year, through it’s use of fossil fuels to supply it’s energy. A quality design with high performance construction can cut this by about 2-4 tonnes. (That's a quarter slice, to half the pie!) Efficient appliance selection, (including heating, and hot water) can cut another 2 tonnes. (Another quarter slice. Yum.) The last piece of the puzzle to creating a low carbon (and low bill) home, is to use PV's (Photovoltaic panels...) to generate enough electricity to supply the remainder - essentially eating that last piece of the pie! For a small family, in an average size home (~200m2), who choose major appliances with star labels in mind, a 3-4kW panel system is all that is required to start to break even. With a larger system you typically start to produce more over the year than you use. That's called becoming Carbon Positive. That's a good feeling. A Good Design. High Performance Construction. Clever appliance selection. And PV on the Roof. - Job done! @builders_declareau @buildersdeclare_au #sustainabledesign #greenhouse #greenbuilding #sustainableliving

15.01.2022 Please read more about our work here - https://www.facebook.com/Positive-Footprints-Design-and-Build-Services-287133764730154/ or www.positivefootprints.com.au

14.01.2022 We like to announce that Positive Footprints is a founding signatory to Builders Declare - a growing group of concerned builders who have put up their hands to help shift the paradigm, to meeting the needs of our society without breaching the earths ecological boundaries. As a group we are committing to strengthen our working practices to create architecture and urbanism that has a more positive impact on the world around us. If you are a builder, and wish to join us, please... go to https://au.buildersdeclare.com/ If you are a consumer, I would like to invite you to imagine a new normal, where investment in buildings would carry a sustainable element. The Australian government has announced $25k home stimulus package to eligible renovation and new home projects. The new normal would be if everyone's home can be insulated from the cold this winter, windows are high performing double-glazed and our homes will be producing solar energy on our roofs instead of relying on burning fossil fuel. Every little bit counts towards a new normal. The homebuilder scheme will run between June and December and aims to create a pipeline of construction work

10.01.2022 In a world first Australian builders now join architects in publicly acknowledging that we are in a climate emergency, and that business as usual cannot continue if we want a prosperous future for our children and natural environment. The twin crises of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss are the most serious issues of our generation. Globally, buildings and construction play a major role in our planet's degradation, accounting for nearly 40% of (CO2) emissions. While als...o having a major impact on resource depletion, pollution levels, and the damage of our natural environments. Not to mention that most Australian homes are well below first world standards globally, and consume far too much energy to heat and cool. Its time we were much more considerate of our construction practices and lifted our standards. For everyone working in the construction industry, meeting the needs of our society going forward, without breaching the earths ecological boundaries, will demand a paradigm shift in our behaviour, and our buildings. As an industry we need to design and build our cities and infrastructure of a superior quality and performance, to meet the challenges of a low carbon future, whilst prioritising materials with minimal environmental impact more broadly. Australian Builders Declare are seeking like-minded builders, and professional tradespeople to sign-up for FREE by going to https://au.buildersdeclare.com/ Builders Declare run events, provide resources, share knowledge, answer queries, and link professionals passionate about building more sustainably, and creating a better future for all Australians. For further information contact Australian Builders Declare on; Sign-up - https://au.buildersdeclare.com/ Email - [email protected] Join our Facebook Group - https://bit.ly/2z8oEtT

07.01.2022 We were asked to design and build a mid-century house which had disproportionate amount of glazing and sub-optimal orientation. This upperstorey addition and renovation now boasts 7.1 stars in house energy rating, and has a visually interesting roof form which carries it 7.9 Kw solar panels. The house now has a newly appointed entry hall way, all rooms have ample of natural daylight and summer ventilation and ample insulation for summer and winter, with rain water collecte...d to flush toilets to boot. Thermotek double-glazed uPVC tilt and turn windows were installed throughout, and we look forward to hearing from the clients on the performance if this project. #sustainabledesign #sustainablearchitecture #sustainableliving #extensions #addition #livableplanet #energyefficient #energyefficiency #architecture #environmentallyfriendly #environmentaldesign See more

04.01.2022 Together we are stronger! Please join us Australian Builders Declare are seeking like-minded builders, and professional tradespeople to sign-up for FREE by going to https://au.buildersdeclare.com/ Builders Declare run events, provide resources, share knowledge, answer queries, and link professionals passionate about building more sustainably, and creating a better future for all Australians.... For further information contact Australian Builders Declare on; Sign-up - https://au.buildersdeclare.com/ Email - [email protected] Join our Facebook Group - https://bit.ly/2z8oEtT Jump on our Instagram - https://bit.ly/30dJ2Fh About Australian Builders Declare The founding signatories are; Aligned Building, Sustainable Homes Melbourne, Granted Construction, Positive Footprints, Michael Limb Builders, Sanctum Homes, G-Lux Builders, RICCON Development & Construction, Green Building Institute, Green Crisp Homes

03.01.2022 Mid Century House Extension is one of the many houses that are going virtual for you to visit as part of Sustainable House Day 2020. From 12/9, videos of house tours conscientiously made by owners and design professionals will be available on the SHD website. This is a version of the one we made, just as a taste of what you may find. https://youtu.be/3n1Rhhauxrc

01.01.2022 Bye Bye Gas. Breaking up is never easy. Jeremy Spencer was invited to present a case of getting off gas, and here’s his summary of why and how. The good news is electrical appliances and technology have raised up to the occasion, and we can say bye bye to gas without too much heart ache. However, do watch out when choosing heat pump technology there are different type of refrigerants that do various levels of harm to our environment. Please choose wisely. Jeremy explains more in his presentation, please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJpiG9X-9gc&t=147s Or Moonee Valley Council’s Green Living Playlist on youtube. #renewables #wecandobetter #fossilfree #sustainableliving #sustainability #sustainabledesign #buildersdeclare #energysource #healthyliving #cooking #nogas #nofracking