FOUNDING PRINCIPLE — SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability, in its many expressions, stands as one of the foundational pillars of The Village. Guiding decisions from the project's inception, it has shaped the development of distinctive and alternative housing offering in a regional location.
With a focus on carbon-neutral living, all appliances will be electric with power sourced from renewable 100% certified Greenpower suppliers including local supplier Hepburn Energy. The elimination of gas as an energy source ensures residents can achieve a lighter environmental footprint.
WORKING TOWARDS A NET ZERO FUTURE
Rooftop solar photovoltaic arrays have been designed for each home (suited to the allowable roof space) which will significantly minimise the requirement for energy input from the grid during sunlight hours. A solar battery to the home has been provided for in the design as an optional upgrade – allowing for utilisation of stored energy during times when there is little or no sunlight.
All homes have been designed to achieve a minimum 7.5-star NatHERs energy efficiency rating*, including double glazing to all windows and highly efficient fittings and fixtures. Residents can maintain comfortable living temperatures without excessive reliance on heating or air conditioning, resulting in lower energy bills.
*The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a performance-based rating system that rates the thermal performance of a dwelling based on its design. NatHERS use 0-10 stars as a scale to indicate the energy efficiency of a dwelling. The higher the score is, the less energy is required to achieve thermal comfort.
Artist Impression
SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
A range of sustainable initiatives to be delivered through built form and landscape design at The Village contribute to its overall environmental sustainability performance.
BUILT FORM
PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
Homes have been designed to maximise northern sunlight in the cooler months, with eaves included at specified depths to allow shading during the warmer times of the year. Double-glazing throughout and other passive solar design initiatives help maintain comfortable temperatures.
CROSS FLOW VENTILATION
Considered home design maximises cross ventilation opportunities in all homes. High efficiency ducted air-conditioning will be installed in each home, with openable windows in bedrooms and living areas to further enhance airflow on warmer days. Ceiling fans in all rooms are optional upgrades to provide further living comfort.
HEALTHIER INTERIORS
The interiors for the homes include non-toxic material selections including natural timbers and veneers. Reducing the use of harmful VOCs in glues, sealants and paints works towards ensuring homes are healthier.
INNVOVATIVE FOUNDATION
The foundation slab for all homes will be constructed using an Australian designed 100% recycled Australian plastic waffle pod system – ‘Nupod’. The system won the HIA Australia Green Smart Product award for 2021.
CONSIDERED MATERIALS
Materials have been chosen that are honest, tactile and durable. Recycled or FSC certified timbers, carbon neutral brickwork with natural finishes predominate the external material palette. Australian made materials supporting local manufacturing will be procured wherever possible.
LANDSCAPE
URBAN ECOLOGY
All garden beds at The Village have an undertone of notably Australian fauna paired with a wide variety of exotic species linking the project to the surrounding urban environment. A diverse plant and species selection will provide habitat and sustenance for an array of local species.
MEADOWS MIX
All verges and nature strips will host seeded wildflower meadows rather than lawn. The meadows will also provide biodiversity in fauna, habitat and food for pollinating insects, as well as general soil health and carbon sequestration.
NATURAL RESOURCES
By minimising impervious surfaces and reducing the number of kerbs and channels, stormwater is more evenly distributed across the surface of The Village. Stormwater runoff will be retained and reused with the use of water tanks, rain gardens and swales throughout.
COMMUNAL GARDEN
A generously sized garden with veggie beds, perennial herbs and edible shrubs will sit alongside an orchard featuring a selection of approximately 40 edible fruit bearing trees. The garden is intended to be climate appropriate and contribute to lower food miles for residents. Compost bins will be provided in the garden to minimise waste going to landfill.
Artist Impression — double glazing included on all windows
HOMES FOR PEOPLE & THE ENVIRONMENT
Jeremy McLeod is the founding Director of Breathe, whose team of dedicated architects are renowned for delivering high quality design and sustainable architecture for projects of all scales.
Jeremy McLeod, Breathe
Tell us about the vision for The Village.
J.M — Fundamentally, The Village prioritises the health of people and the environment.
The vision is about homes in a natural landscape, rather than a house with a garden. Around the edge of the site and in a central green walkway is a habitat corridor, providing future residents with a meaningful connection to nature and prioritising the pedestrian experience. You walk out of your front door to your own piece of the landscape.
The design of the homes is about wellness and restoration. Every living space has access to the north sun, and houses are turned on the east to the view creating warmth and the opportunity to contemplate.
Ultimately, it’s a place for people. Cars are secondary to the human experience and physical and mental health is prioritised in terms of the place they live in.
To read our full interview with Jeremy McLeod please contact Belle Property Daylesford to secure your copy of The Village brochure.
Brett Robinson is the Creative Director at Acre – who alongside his hardworking team have a shared philosophy to transform each home into a sanctuary and place of positivity.
BEST PRACTICE BIOPHILIC DESIGN
Brett Robinson, Acre
How does the landscape at The Village work to create community?
B.R — At the heart of the village is a generously sized communal garden with veggie beds, an abundance of perennial herbs and edible shrubs, along with a generously sized orchard.
The focus on edible species aims to create a community which works collaboratively to care for the gardens and produce food. The community gardens, along with a nature-based play area provides spaces for younger generations to play, whilst exploring and interacting with the outdoors and natural processes.
Benches and seating areas are dotted throughout The Village, encouraging residents to passively occupy the community, bringing life to the streets, whilst generating opportunities for the chance encounter with other residents and members of the neighbourhood.
Over time, Acre hope the opportunities for community engagement shape a sense of belonging, grow neighbourhood ties and an overall feeling of sense of place and identity.
To read our full interview with Brett Robinson please contact Belle Property Daylesford to secure your copy of The Village brochure.