Green Scene

Ever mindful of the fact that minimising your impact on the environment can be harder when you're a first homebuyer on a tight budget?  Homebuyers Centre has created the Revolution to showcase a cost-effective "green" home.

The design of this three-bedroom house in Ellenbrook harnesses nature's ability to light, heat and cool our homes.

Cross-ventilation to make the most of cooling summer breezes, highlight windows to let in natural light and the winter sun's rays, appropriate orientation and effective zoning of rooms all contribute to a sustainable design.

The Revolution display also illustrates a number of optional features that can be added to the standard specification to make the home ever "greener".

These include a solar pergola, rainwater storage system plumbed to the toilets, rainwater tanks, roof extractor vents and ceiling fans and 100 per cent wool carpets that have been specifically selected to contribute to non-toxic living.

The polished concrete floors not only look fantastic, they also offer a high thermal mass that helps with heating and cooling, while the waterwise garden landscaping keeps water use to a minimum and the gas-boosted solar hot-water system provides economical hot showers.

Jared Stone, display sales manager at Homebuyers Centre, says the Revolution demonstrates the sort of elements first home buyers can consider when building.

"Builders now have to be very clever with their orientation and their use of products and the design of a house," Jared says. "That's something the builder can take on and do for the first homebuyer that doesn't necessarily impact on the buyer's hip pocket."

With Homebuyers Centre also offering the Contempo, a low priced version of the Revolution that can be built for $143,900, clients can mix and match elements to suit their individual budgets and priorities.

Jared says changes to building codes mean buyers are getting a better-designed home anyway, compared with 10 years ago. hen , The Sunday Times, HOME 19 October 2008

"Then, if they have the money, the can up-spec their home and make it even greener. But our main goal is getting people into houses," he says.

Central to the floor plan of the Revolution is a generous family room spilling out on to a protected courtyard that is shown in the display with a built-in fire, lounge suite and barbecue for year-round employment.

In the kitchen, there are stainless-steel appliances, plenty of benchtop space, a fridge/freezer recess, double-door pantry and overhead cupboards.

The master bedroom at the front of the house has his-and-hers walk-in robes and a generous ensuite with hobless shower.

Two further bedrooms are at the rear of the home, along with a second bathroom, laundry and access to the garage.

Maximising every bit of the block has been a priority for the Homebuyers Centre design team and the Revolution's light and airy rooms are testament to this.

Treading the trickery balance between space, sustainability and affordability, this home also suits investors and empty-nesters.

"The Revolution is an excellent example of what can be done," Jared says. "You're limited by block size and we're maximised what we can do here with dollars in mind."