Wodonga-based builder Sustainabylt is the first company in North-East Victoria to be accredited with a HIA GreenSmart home.

HIA has long been at the forefront of environmentally advanced housing, and June 27 is the launch of one of Wodonga's most impressive custom-built 6-star designed homes.

Located at Thomas Mitchell Drive, this three-bedroom home offers the customer quality, comfort, sustainability and superior price value.

The brief for this project was to design and construct a three-bedroom, three-bathroom and two-office home that also included an upstairs kitchenette for entertaining, butler's pantry opening directly from the garage and large entertaining area on a 419m2 block with 10-metre width on the north side.

Some of the design features contributing to the energy efficiency of the house include the roof design, loft-style windows and the use of cathedral ceilings allowing plenty of light in.

Outside, the corrugated iron wall lining achieves a high energy rating as a lightweight cladding whilst introducing an interesting architectural feature, being set on a 45°angle.

All of the appliances selected and provided by the clients met or exceeded the standard for energy efficiency. In addition to the gas boosted solar hot water service, a small second-hand electric storage unit was incorporated into the design of the kitchen to reduce water and energy wastage through running extensive hot water lines.

Sustainabylt have demonstrated a tangible commitment to the construction of ecologically sustainable homes since the 1970's. The property achieves HIA GreenSmart Accreditation, an Australian first with the 2009 protocols and only the second outside the Melbourne metropolitan area to achieve accreditation in Victoria.

"Sustainabylt continually demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and HIA GreenSmart principles," said Gil King, HIA's Victorian Executive Director.

Sustainabylt is a family company, comprising Sam and Kathy Stravakos and son and daughter-in-law Alex and Sharelle Stravakos. The team is able to offer the complete package, from original concepts and design, through construction to hand over including interior design and decoration services. They also specialise in advice and assistance for owner builders as well as servicing the commercial sector.

"Here at Sustainabylt, working in North East Victoria and Southern New South Wales, creating energy efficient homes and buildings for the environmentally conscious individual or company is what we're about", Sustainabylt's Alex Stravakos said. "Local products and tradies were sourced wherever possible."

"The narrow, long block presented quite a challenge in terms of solar access but 'clerestory windows' and the use of cathedral style ceilings allows light in and gives the home a large open and airy feel," Mr Stravakos said. "Though the budget did not allow for an extensively 'green' design, the clients were more than delighted to receive a 6-star energy rating despite a block with only 10m of Northerly orientation."

HIA commends Sustainabylt on the important role they are playing in shaping the landscape of Victoria's residential housing sector. They are a leading family construction business providing original designs and exceptional client services with environmental responsibility at their core.

House launch details:
Date: Saturday June 27 2009
Time: 10am-2pm
Address: 9A Thomas Mitchell Drive, Wodonga, VIC 3690
visit www.greensmart.com.au or www.sustainabylt.com.au

Housing Industry Association Limited
ACN No 004 631 752