Gardening Australia TV presenter and sustainability advocate Josh Bryne’s new video series, Josh’s House STAR PERFORMERS, aired its last episode on Monday, leaving audiences asking themselves what the plan is for the future of housing in Australia. 

The six part web series follows a national research tour that brought together the best high performance housing projects from around the country for the very first time to find out if they were realistic and affordable options for the mainstream housing market. 

For Brynes, the series was also an opportunity to engage in a national conversation about the demand for more energy efficient solutions in residential applications, especially since Australia’s built environment is currently responsible for around a quarter of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, half of which are from homes. 

The projects included in the series are: 

Zero Emission House, Melbourne, VIC 

The Australian Zero Emission House (AusZEH) in Melbourne’s north is the CSIRO’s flagship housing project that was used as a real-life living laboratory when a family moved in to collect data and test the systems of the home. It is now in private ownership.

STAR PERFORMERS - EP 1: 'Zero Emission House' MELBOURNE from Josh's House on Vimeo.

CSR House, Sydney, NSW 

CSR House was developed by building product supplier CSR as a research home that showcases how readily available and affordable products, combined with intelligent design and correct specification, can create an energy efficient home.

STAR PERFORMERS - EP 2: 'CSR House' SYDNEY from Josh's House on Vimeo.

Innovation House, Townsville, QLD 

The first 10 Star NatHERS rated home in northern Queensland, Innovation House is Finlay Homes project that was originally intended to be a display home “jam packed with as many energy saving, green options and ideas” they could find. It is now a living laboratory for the builder and his family.

STAR PERFORMERS - EP 3: 'Innovation House' TOWNSVILLE from Josh's House on Vimeo.

Pilbara Vernacular House, Karratha, WA 

This project by Gresley Abbas architects is the result of a design competition led by the WA State Government’s development agency, LandCorp, to demonstrate the climate and socially responsive design principles of its Pilbara Vernacular Handbook.

STAR PERFORMERS - EP 4: 'Pilbara Vernacular House' KARRATHA from Josh's House on Vimeo.

Lochiel Park, Adelaide, SA 

Lochiel Park is a model green village with 106 dwellings designed according to high performance housing design guidelines. All houses have a minimum 7.5 Star NatHERS rating, and the development continues to serve as a model for other urban developments.

STAR PERFORMERS - EP 5: 'Lochiel Park' PART 1 - Adelaide from Josh's House on Vimeo.

STAR PERFORMERS - EP 6: 'Lochiel Park' PART 2 - Adelaide from Josh's House on Vimeo.

Josh’s House Star Performers was produced in partnership with the CRC for Low Carbon Living. You can find out more about each project and watch all episodes here.