Harmony 9 is a sustainable housing prototype that follows on from Mirvac’s 6+ star energy efficient homes. To be located at Waverley Park estate, key features throughout the home will include:

• a reverse brick veneer construction with bricks on the inside and the timber frame on the outside — the heavyweight materials inside the home create internal mass and stabilise the core temperature

• high wall and ceiling insulation

• double-glazed windows with timber frames

• north-facing living zones and windows, with shading and maximum cross ventilation

• solar panels and hot water service

• 20,000 litre rainwater tank

• recycled construction materials

Computer modelling of the Harmony 9 home confirms that it will use no more than 27Mj per sqm per annum (compared with a 5 star home which uses 165 Mj per sqm per annum). The home has been designed so that there will be no net greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in the home, saving an estimated 12.047 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Mirvac’s prototype home can passively regulate its temperature — using sunshine, shading and cross ventilation so effectively that it requires almost no additional heating or cooling. The small amount of energy required by the home will be less than or equal to the amount generated by solar panels mounted on the roof.

Externally, Harmony 9 features specific shading design to control solar energy, adjustable louvres on east-facing windows, lightweight cladding, recycled timber for garden decking and locally made pavers. Construction of the Harmony 9 home has commenced with a 100 per cent recycled concrete slab poured. The recycled concrete slab is the first of its kind in Australia. While the Harmony 9 home remains a prototype and is not available for sale, it will be open for viewing from mid 2009.