Tech allows ultra-green homes to be built in just two months
The breakthrough comes as research shows homebuyers are willing to pay more for sustainable features
2 min
An Australian construction giant is poised to build ultra-energy efficient homes in a matter of months after signing a joint venture with a green tech prefabricated wall manufacturer.
AVJennings recently launched a new collection of designer dwellings dubbed Stellar, which feature an innovative walling system from tech company Pro9.
Using the galvanised steel-frame and foam insulated product, the time it takes to construct a home can be cut to a fifth of what it is currently, meaning a dwelling could go up in just two months.
And the finished product can achieve at least an eight-star energy efficiency rating – well above the current minimum of six stars and ahead of the boosted seven-star requirement that comes into effect from 2024.
AVJennings has signed a joint venture with Pro9 to establish a manufacturing hub in Australia, capable of producing more than 1000 homes a year.
“The fact that Pro9 can be implemented directly into our existing product range to elevate the offering is ground-breaking,” AVJennings chief executive officer Phil Kearns said.
“Since introducing the technology into three homes in our Evergreen community in New South Wales 2021, we can see how much it contributes to a home’s energy efficiency and comfort.”
AVJennings is the first developer to bring the Pro9 technology to market in Australia, Mr Kearns said.
“We recognise the importance of achieving higher quality, better insulated and more durable homes and for us to all reduce our carbon footprint.”
Mr Kearns said the partnership is “just the start” of what the company plans to roll out in the future.
Homebuyers are increasingly demanding green and sustainable features and most are willing to pay a premium for it, according to the most recent Property Seeker Report from realestate.com.au.
The largest survey of its kind, the research probes respondents on hundreds of questions relating to the home-buying journey and has found the vast majority are eager to go green.
The 2022 report found 81 per cent of homebuyers see sustainable features in a property being critical in their decision-making and 87 per cent are willing to pay extra for green features, from solar panels to efficient insultation.
The average premium those buyers are willing to pay is 15%, the report found.
Recent analysis by KPMG found the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star Homes not only benefit the environment, but owners are better off financially almost immediately, with savings outpacing initial upfront costs.
While the modelling shows a Green Star Home will increase typical loan repayments by up to $84 per month, the savings in energy costs are up to $140 per month.
“The results are particularly exciting as they show that the economics now align with the significant amenity uplift of a greener, more efficient and healthier home,” said Mark Spicer, KPMG’s partner of ESG advisory and assurance.
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Mirvac’s 45-level Trielle has topped out at Yarra’s Edge, pairing riverfront apartments with wellness facilities, private dining and resident services.
3 min
Mirvac has topped out Trielle at Melbourne’s Yarra’s Edge, with more than 70 per cent of the riverfront development sold and approximately 80 per cent of purchasers intending to make their apartment a home.
The figures, released on September 22, point to an owner-occupier audience for one of the precinct’s final residential towers. Mirvac began developing Yarra’s Edge in 2003, and its latest addition occupies one of the remaining absolute riverfront sites.
Mirvac CEO of Development Stuart Penklis said existing residents were among those moving up within the neighbourhood.
“Many purchasers already have a connection to Yarra’s Edge,” Mr Penklis said, describing buyers whose changing needs were encouraging an upgrade within the precinct.
“As one of the final residential towers within Yarra’s Edge, Trielle represents the culmination of more than two decades of creating one of Melbourne’s most established and sought-after waterfront communities,” Penklis said.
“Positioned on the Collins Street axis with absolute river frontage, Trielle offers residents a rare opportunity to enjoy sweeping views across the Yarra River, Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay, while remaining seamlessly connected to the CBD. With Trielle now more than 70 per cent sold, we’re continuing to see strong demand from buyers seeking quality homes in established locations.”
The developer also flagged a penthouse and sub-penthouse collection with larger layouts, premium finishes and broad outlooks. The planned wellness centrepiece, The Oasis, encompasses a 900-square-metre elevated urban rainforest.
Mirvac General Manager Residential Development Victoria Elysa Anderson said Trielle had resonated strongly with buyers seeking a rare lifestyle offering in Melbourne.
“Opportunities to secure a new luxury residence on a riverfront site of this calibre are incredibly rare, particularly within a community like Yarra’s Edge,” Anderson said.
“What makes Trielle unique is the combination of exceptional views, world-class residential facilities and the lifestyle that already exists around it. Residents are buying into a mature waterfront community with parks, promenades, dining, wellness and strong community connections already in place.”
The 45-level tower brings a substantial new presence to that waterfront. Its residential offering spans one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, with Signature, Prestige and Sub-Penthouse collections accommodating different household sizes. The north-facing position connects the apartments visually to the river and city beyond.
Seven storeys above the promenade, the planned Oasis combines planting and a running stream with a Scandinavian-inspired wellness club developed with spa specialist Naomi Gregory. Facilities include a 25-metre lap pool, hot magnesium pool, sauna, hydrotherapy, a gym, yoga and Pilates room, and treatment spaces.
The amenity extends beyond exercise. Residents will have access to The Biblioteca library and workspaces, ground-floor work pods, and The Salone piano lounge. A private Chef’s Table dining room offers a setting for larger gatherings, while a cinema, games room and sports lounge broaden the entertaining options. Concierge services and a dog-wash area support everyday routines.
Trielle comprises a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences. Reflecting strong demand from owner occupiers, approximately 80 per cent of purchasers to date intend to live in their homes, highlighting the project’s appeal to those seeking a long-term waterfront lifestyle.
Mirvac has recently delivered The Albertine, a premium apartment development on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD, and is nearing completion of Prince & Parade in Brunswick, further strengthening its portfolio of thoughtfully designed apartment communities in some of Melbourne’s most sought-after urban locations.
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