With a commitment to sustainable building practices, Green Homes Australia is demonstrating that environmentally friendly homes can be functional, sustainable and tailored to individual lifestyles.

Green Homes Australia is at the forefront of sustainable home design, helping Australians bring their vision of energy-efficient, climate-resilient homes to life.

One such project is the off-grid family home of Ashley and Julia Bland, built on Wiradyuri Country, just outside of Bathurst.

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Their vision was to create a home that blended seamlessly with nature while incorporating passive design principles to ensure energy efficiency and resilience against future climate conditions.

Originally designed with a linked-pavilion layout integrated into the surrounding bushland, their plans evolved following the 2019/20 bushfires.
Prioritising safety and sustainability, they shifted focus to a design that emphasised thermal performance, bushfire resistance, and long-term functionality.

With the guidance of Green Homes Australia, every aspect of their home was designed for efficiency. Rammed earth walls provide excellent thermal mass, regulating internal temperatures naturally.

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Ample insulation, double-glazed windows, and careful orientation optimise energy performance, while locally sourced materials reduce the home's environmental footprint.

Notably, the kitchen island features timber milled by Ashley himself, from a tree planted by his grandmother on the property, creating a personal and sustainable touch.

Inspired by mid-century modern design, with elements drawn from The Incredibles’ Parr home, the aesthetic combines contemporary elegance with natural finishes. The result is a home that is both visually striking and built to stand the test of time.

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Being completely off-grid and powered by high-efficiency electrical appliances, Ashley and Julia’s home has achieved a 7.6 NatHERS rating, making it a benchmark for sustainable living.

The combination of innovative design and cutting-edge energy solutions ensures reduced environmental impact and long-term savings on energy costs.

A key part of making their vision a reality was Bank Australia’s Clean Energy Home Loan, which supports homeowners in transitioning to all-electric, energy-efficient homes. The loan offers reduced mortgage interest rates for up to five years, incentivising sustainable home builds like Ashley and Julia Bland's.

The couple’s off-grid home met the loan criteria, allowing them to benefit from lower repayments while also reducing their ongoing energy costs.
“This project exemplifies the flexibility of Green Home principles across different styles, locations, and budgets,” the couple explains.

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“We wanted a home that reflects our aesthetic and lifestyle while making sustainable choices that align with our values. You don’t have to compromise on design to have an environmentally friendly home.”

According to them, this project exemplifies the application of Green Home principles into any style, location or budget.

“The contemporary and mid-century feel is timeless which is fitting for our homes that built to serve families well for a century or more,” Bland says.

“Being completely off-grid and full of energy efficiency electrical appliances was also great because, along with the 7.6* NatHERS rating, it met the Bank Australia Clean Energy Home Loan criteria and is saving the client money with a reduced mortgage repayment rate and on some of their bills. That's a great outcome.”

Images supplied

Clémence Carayol

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