10-star home by Suho Studio is the first of its kind in SA

The greenest home ever built in South Australia has been unveiled in the eastern suburbs.

Lead construction design specialist at Suho Studio, Geraldine Petit, at the new 10-star rated home. Picture: Tom Huntley

Stepping out of the searing heat and into the state’s first 10-star-rated energy-efficient home brings instant relief from the harsh sun of a 36C day – and the noise of the busy road.

It is abundantly clear this is a house like no other. The temperature is a comfortable 23C, but there is no familiar hum of airconditioning units.

There are two ceiling fans, but they are not needed today.

The building is airtight and the temperature is kept around 18C-22C by clever design, including a “heat-recovery system” that manages ventilation.

The 10-star rating comes from the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme and is based on design, not real-life observation.

The 10-star home 41 Glen Stuart Road, Woodforde. Picture: Sweet Lime Photos

The home at Woodforde, in the eastern foothills, will be the first of its kind to be fully monitored, with data going to the CSIRO to improve ratings around Australia.

Adelaide’s Suho Studio designed the 10-star home to “demonstrate how aspects of the building industry can foster a social commitment to an ecologically sustainable future through clever design, and collaborative and resilient relationships”.

Lead construction design specialist Geraldine Petit hoped the home would perform even better than expected, to the value of 11 or even 12 stars.

After years of hard work, it’s exciting for Ms Petit to see the home come to life and witness its ability to cope with the harsh Adelaide climate.

However, having come to Australia from Europe, after studying in Switzerland and then working in France, it is frustrating to see generally low quality construction in SA.

Geraldine Petit, Lead Construction Design Specialist at Suho Studio, at the new 10-star rated home. Picture: Tom Huntley

Ms Petit said she felt optimistic about the future, though, as more and more people realised the benefits of investing in better construction – “especially at the end of their career, when they’ve got the money for it”.

But Australia still had some catching up to do.

“Ten years ago, there was regulation in Europe that were made compulsory to be under a certain energy consumption for new housing,” Ms Petit said.

“So, the old industry had to shift, otherwise they wouldn’t be in the game anymore. And that’s really helpful.

“In terms of prices, in terms of competency, and in bringing everyone on board, it’s magic.

“Here, that would definitely really be a game-changing thing, if the government were putting a bit more pressure on it.”

For the past three years at Suho, Ms Petit had met “more and more builders that are willing to speak with us about how we can proceed differently on building sites and make the difference in the world of construction”.

“So, there is still a small amount of them.

“But there are some people here that are interested in shifting, and all it takes is for that sector of industry to be interested in the subject and willing to change and then for people (consumers) to invest and realise how much they’re making savings on their bills.”

Open plan living area inside the 10-star home. Picture: Sweet Lime Photos

The Woodforde property will be offered for sale when the monitoring period is complete. It is expected to fetch as much as $1.2m.

The 8-star home next door, also designed by Suho, is already on the market.

Suho Studio manager Ruth Nordstrom said she saw the project as an opportunity to inform and educate the building industry as well as the public.

“The objective for building the home was to be able to monitor a 10-star home that is built beyond the requirements of the 10/10 ratings and aligns itself with international best practice,” Ms Nordstrom said.

“We’re about 10 years behind some parts of the world in terms of building performance, and want to use this home to create a replicable framework that can be applied across a number of building forms.

“We’re trying to see as many people into sustainable housing in particular as possible. It is a slow journey, but one well worth taking.”

Ms Nordstrom expected to see consumer-driven change in the construction industry from the bottom up, as homeowners were increasingly empowered with knowledge.

The hidden laundry inside the hallway of the 10-star home. Picture: Sweet Lime Photos

Environment and Water Minister David Speirs, who toured the property this week, said that the house was an example of SA leading the way in environmental and energy innovation.

“Around Australia, more than 75 per cent of homes that get assessed under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme only achieve six or fewer stars, so to have a 10 star-rated home in SA is very exciting,” Mr Speirs said.

“The house at Woodforde uses the latest technology and innovation to reduce energy consumption, which can significantly lower household bills and lower emissions.”

A modest solar system provides ample electricity. Picture: Sweet Lime Photos

Efficient electrical appliances in the 10-star home. Picture: Sweet Lime Photos

THE MAKING OF A 10-STAR HOME

The 10-star home is estimated to use no more than 3 megajoules of energy per square metre annually. This is about 5 per cent of the energy consumed by the average Australian household.

Its energy efficient design features include:

– A 5kW rooftop solar system combined with a 4kW battery, expected to make the house completely self-sufficient.

– Electric vehicle charging station in the garage.

– A small footprint.

– Air-tight. Most Australian homes leak air. They lose heat in winter and gain heat in summer. This home does not need heating or cooling.

– Heat recovery system manages ventilation, continually supplying fresh air into the building from the rooftop.

– Thermal mass of the concrete slab, masonry and mortar in reverse brick veneer walls acting as a thermal buffer, assisting in the maintenance of comfortable indoor temperatures.

– Efficient electric appliances, dishwasher/washing machine programmed to operate when there is high solar PV panel gain.

– Triple-glazed windows.

– Super insulated, R10 in the roof and R6 in the walls.

– Orientation of the building on the site to maximise solar gain (sun on solar panels), shading, natural light, ventilation and efficiency of space usage.

– Clerestory windows (these are windows high on the wall near the roof) managing heat and airflow.

– Home automation using sensors. When the home senses the temperature fluctuating away from 18C-22C, it will open or close windows, control exterior blinds, turn on fans as needed. Also monitors CO2, humidity and pressure

– Materials chosen for their sustainability credentials, such as Forest Stewardship Council timbers and raw brass fittings.