PROVING that building a sustainable home isn't rocket science, the Enviro by Dale Alcock Homes is a chic property appealing to a broad variety of buyers.
Designed to maximise solar orientation, cross ventilation and protection from prevailing winds, this three bedroom, open plan design also includes features that help address issues such as climate change, water conservation and energy management.
And it seems to be setting a great example.
The company reports that many people are taking elements from the Enviro and applying them to other designs in the Dale Alcock Homes portfolio.
Dale Alcock, managing director of Dale Alcock Homes, says the most popular feature buyers are adopting is the gas boosted solar hot water system.
"Energy saving will provide a pay back within five or six years from the initial outlay," Dale says.
While all the company's designs aim to maximise block orientation and can be positioned to take advantage of passive solar design principles, the Enviro also deliberately showcases a number of environmentally friendly materials and products.
There are water saving appliances such as Caroma's Profile toilet suite which has an integrated hand basin that allows water to be used for hand washing before it fills the cistern.
The Termimesh termite barrier is chemical free and the Bluescope Water Think Tank Rainwater Harvesting System holds 2000 litres of rainwater.
"The result is a home that considerably reduces environmental impact, without sacrificing any of the modern comforts you'd expect from a Dale Alcock Home," Dale says.
Dale says the company has built demonstration homes such as the Enviro to encourage more sustainable buildings. It also offsets all of its carbon dioxide emissions with trees planted by Carbon Neutral, and its offices and display homes use 25 per cent GreenPower renewable energy from Synergy.
"We have had a lot of positive feedback regarding the Enviro home. It's part of our successful CBD range of homes, which has proven to be popular with clients looking to downsize, and those looking at their first home," he says.
One of the focal points is the great indoor outdoor area formed by the integration of the large living space with the protected side courtyard and veranda.
Rooms have been made multi purpose and it's easy to zone areas to reduce needless
heating and cooling.
The central kitchen has a generous island bench around which family and friends can gather and the sliding doors to the alfresco mean the living areas and the courtyard can easily be blended.
Enviro- Builder - Dale Alcock Homes
- Price - from $193,361
- Location - Bundaleer Ave, Ellenbrook
- Open - Today, noon 5pm; Monday and Wednesday, 2pm 5pm; Saturday, 1pm 5pm
- Phone - 9242 9242
- Website -
www.dalealcock.com.auEssentials
- Size - 208.68sq m (total)
- Width - 9m
- Depth - 26.5m
- Bedrooms - Three
- Bathrooms - Two
- Garage - 33.81sq m
Features
- Veranda
- Courtyard
- High ceilings
- Rainwater tank
Trade secrets
- Durable, water based paint products have been used throughout the display home as an alternative to oil based paints
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