A project is underway in Canberra where design and building company Jigsaw Housing is inviting the community to help create an affordable and sustainable housing.

They say the Building 8 stars for $200K project is about making efficient and comfortable homes accessible to everyone, to make ‘quality, sustainable homes that really work for the people living in them’.

An initial community workshop was held in early September. Booked out weeks in advance, the evening was a great success and explored concepts such as: how people use space, the essential components of a home, flexibility to cope with changing family needs, as well as the emotional aspects - the home as a sanctuary and a social space.

The Jigsaw team includes the directors: Andrew Verri (architect), Tom Henderson (builder) and Jenny Edwards (scientist), who are aiming to ensure that functionality, aesthetics, construction methods and materials, costs and thermal performance are all balanced.

During the design process, thoughts and ideas have been gathered through the project’s facebook and Twitter discussions, looking to crowd source solutions and road test ideas.

Once unveiled, the concept will be open for comment to the original audience and anybody within the wider community who wants to get involved.

The final costed designs will be presented back to the community on the 8th December. The Jigsaw team will explain why certain approaches or products were chosen. Star rating results for different configurations, orientations and climate zones will also be calculated, making the design relevant to locations right across Australia.

You can follow and join in the discussions in the lead up to the workshop on Twitter at www.twitter.com/8starsfor200k or on facebook at www.facebook.com/8starsfor200k.

Architecture & Design Team

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