2023 Program: Extension Sessions

This year there are even more ways to interact with participating homeowners and gain insight on sustainability topics.

Our main free event on March 19th 2023 will be followed by a month of ticketed sessions with experts and homeowners, bringing you in-depth information on tricky subjects like finding a sustainable architect and builder, building with natural materials, insulation and energy efficiency and much more. You can also join our program of community partner events around the country.

Week 1: From Concept to Design

Achieving a sustainable home begins with the fundamental decisions we make around how we design and build it. Week 1 of the Sustainable House Day Extension Session program will explore this topic and explain what you need to know to get started on your sustainable build or renovation.

Knowing where to begin can be overwhelming when planning a renovation, or considering a new build. Making smart choices from the very beginning will not only save time and money, but will also allow for the most sustainable approach. In this session, we’ll start at square one by detailing the most important things to consider when building or renovating a sustainable home, as well as hear a panel discussion and Q&A session with experts and some of our Sustainable House Day homeowners.

Featuring

Speakers:

Liam Wallis, HIP V. HYPE

Sophia MacRae, Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water

Jane Hilliard, Designful

Host:

Anna Cumming, Sanctuary Magazine

This event has passed

• This session will take place on Zoom.

• Full price tickets for this session are We have a number of free tickets available for those experiencing financial difficulty.

• You can also buy an SHD Expert Session Pass, giving you access to all sessions as a discounted price

It’s essential to find the right team for your build or renovation, yet it can be quite tricky to find people who share your sustainability goals. In this session, we’ll
offer guidance on how to select a team in your area that will guide your vision to life. In the second half of this session we’ll open up a panel discussion and Q&A session with our experts and some of our Sustainable House Day homeowners, who will share their first-hand experience of finding the right team.

Featuring

Speakers:

Dick Clarke, Envirotecture

Iain Wiebenga, Keystone Construction

Simone Schenkel, Gruen Eco Design

Host:

Anna Cumming, Sanctuary Magazine

• This session will take place on Zoom.

• Full price tickets for this session are We have a number of free tickets available for those experiencing financial difficulty.

• You can also buy an SHD Expert Session Pass, giving you access to all sessions as a discounted price

Week 2: Building Materials

As we aim to reduce our impact on the earth, the materials we use to build our homes are as important as our designs. The wrong material can not only contribute to pollution or deforestation, it can also undermine your home’s performance. Week 2 of the Sustainable House Day Extension Session program is all about building materials and materials. 

An essential consideration in any sustainable build or renovation is the embedded carbon of the building materials used. In this session, we’ll provide insight into which building materials create the smallest carbon footprint,
as well as outlining those to avoid where possible. In the second half of this session we’ll open up a panel discussion and Q&A session with our experts and some of our Sustainable House Day homeowners, who will share their first-hand experience of building with sustainable materials.

Featuring

Speakers:

David Mahony, HIP V. HYPE

Elizabeth Wheeler, Future Focused Buildings

Host:

Dr Rachel Goldlust, Renew

• This session will take place on Zoom.

• Full price tickets for this session are We have a number of free tickets available for those experiencing financial difficulty.

• You can also buy an SHD Expert Session Pass, giving you access to all sessions as a discounted price

Windows are often the most beautiful component of a new build or renovation, as well as the most expensive. They are also crucial when optimising thermal comfort inside your home. In this session we’ll be exploring the essential considerations when selecting windows, as well as hearing a panel discussion and Q&A session with our experts and some of our Sustainable House Day homeowners, who will share their first-hand experience of getting their glazing right.

Featuring

Speakers:

Harley Truong, Logikhaus Pty Ltd

Russell Harris, Australian Glass & Window Association

Host:

Dr Rachel Goldlust, Renew

• This session will take place on Zoom.

• Full price tickets for this session are We have a number of free tickets available for those experiencing financial difficulty.

• You can also buy an SHD Expert Session Pass, giving you access to all sessions as a discounted price

Week 3: Sustainable Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling a home is often expensive and carbon intensive — but, it doesn’t have to be. In week 4 of the Sustainable House Day Extension Session program we will explore how to maximise the thermal comfort of your home, making it cheaper and more efficient.

Passive solar design is a cornerstone of any sustainable build or renovation. Well-designed passive solar homes require very little heating and cooling, and stay comfortable all year round at very low cost. In this session, we’ll explore passive solar design principles, and how to get them right. In the second half of this session we’ll open up a panel discussion and Q&A session with our experts and some of our Sustainable House Day homeowners, who will share their first-hand experience of implementing passive solar design.

Featuring

Speakers:

Jenny Edwards, Light House Architecture & Science

Graham Hunt, Delisle Hunt Wood

Host:

Talina Edwards, Envirotecture

• This session will take place on Zoom.

• Full price tickets for this session are We have a number of free tickets available for those experiencing financial difficulty.

• You can also buy an SHD Expert Session Pass, giving you access to all sessions as a discounted price

Utilising smart energy efficiency measures is the easiest and most effective way to make your home more comfortable and affordable. In this session, we’ll explore the things that you can do quickly to improve thermal comfort, as well as those that are more long term, like insulation. In the second half of this session we’ll open up a panel discussion and Q&A session with our experts and some of our Sustainable House Day homeowners, who will share their first-hand experience of improving their home’s thermal comfort.

Featuring

Speakers:

Tim Forcey, My Efficient Electric Home (MEEH)

Dr Sarah Feiss, Sustainability Victoria

Host:

Talina Edwards, Envirotecture

• This session will take place on Zoom.

• Full price tickets for this session are We have a number of free tickets available for those experiencing financial difficulty.

• You can also buy an SHD Expert Session Pass, giving you access to all sessions as a discounted price

Week 4: Technology for Sustainability

At Renew, we have offering expert advice in sustainable technology since the 1980s. In Week 4 of the Sustainable House Day Extension Sessions, we will be celebrating our roots and exploring rooftop solar, residential battery setups, heat pumps, and offering practical solutions for going all-electric.

Going all-electric is an essential step in making your home as sustainable as it can be. In this session we will detail how and when to transition away from gas, offer tips on creating an efficient all-electric home, and outline the benefits environmentally and economically. In the second half of this session we’ll open up a panel discussion and Q&A session with our experts and some of our Sustainable House Day homeowners, who will share their first-hand experience of ditching gas and going all-electric.

Featuring

Speakers:

Josh Ellison, Rewiring Australia

Damien Moyse, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Host:

Rob McLeod, Renew

• This session will take place on Zoom.

• Full price tickets for this session are We have a number of free tickets available for those experiencing financial difficulty.

• You can also buy an SHD Expert Session Pass, giving you access to all sessions as a discounted price

Every home has slightly different requirements for a rooftop solar array, and every lifestyle has different energy usage that will impact which system will suit best. In this session, we’ll explain how to navigate the installation of solar on your home, and detail which setup is right for you. In the second half of this session we’ll open up a panel discussion and Q&A session with our experts and some of our Sustainable House Day homeowners, who will share their first-hand experience of getting solar right.

Featuring

Speakers:

Gavin Gilchrist, Inner West Community Energy Inc

Bobbi McKibbin, Solar Integrity, AWISE

Host:

Rob McLeod, Renew

• This session will take place on Zoom.

• Full price tickets for this session are We have a number of free tickets available for those experiencing financial difficulty.

• You can also buy an SHD Expert Session Pass, giving you access to all sessions as a discounted price