Before After - Ecoliv Sustainable Buildings · Before After A deep commitment to sustainability and...
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coast 96 coast 97 Melbourne-based Jo and Carl made the decision to buy in the seaside town of Inverloch in a snap – in fact on the very afternoon they were shown the modest 1960s beach house on a block sheltered by shady gums. For over eight years they’d enjoyed their holiday home but knew it needed some changes. Years of soul-searching led to the decision to pull it down and start again with a completely green vision. The couple undertook extensive research in Melbourne. “We saw a lot of good options, but then thought local would be best so we shifted our focus. When we found Ecoliv, all our dreams came true,” says Jo passionately. “The minute we walked into the office, we knew we were on a winner.” Ecoliv is Wonthaggi-based and the concept offers a modern, minimalist aesthetic design that reflects an environmental consciousness. Custom- designed by award-winning Beaumont Concepts, Ecoliv fuses creative design with environmentally-friendly principles at an affordable price. The carefully researched designs offer a choice of standard pre-fabricated modules which can be configured to meet individual lifestyle needs. Each design achieves a minimum seven star thermal rating through the integration of sustainable features across all aspects such as energy and water usage, materials and design efficiency. Jo and Carl’s important criteria were an environmentally-friendly approach to design and construction, and the certainty that none of their beloved trees would be damaged or removed. “We wanted the house to fit inside the existing footprint, and to be on stumps to sit lightly on the site.” Choosing a local company meant the couple could make the build their own. Working with Jess and Ashley from the Ecoliv team, they incorporated several changes into the modular design. “They have been really easy to work with, and very collaborative. We are confident that the house is going to respond to what we want.” Walking around the site, we inspect the structure taking shape. The new layout mirrors the original beach-house design with kitchen/ living area and three bedrooms. Yet the contemporary design is a more functional interpretation with efficient use of space and light and the modern twist of two bathrooms. The rear of the new house opens up to the north, giving the kitchen and large exterior deck plenty of light. At 12 squares all up, this is a modest home, and the environmental features of the Ecoliv design more than meet the couple’s desire for a green build. “The process has been easy – I’m confident that all of the research has been done by Ecoliv and we don’t have to worry, we can just relax and go with the flow,” says Jo. In a tribute to both partners’ backgrounds in theatre and staging, lighting will be a key feature. Carl has combined his theatre and electrical engineering skills to integrate LED and some funky lighting features through the design – like the stand-alone, fully-wired moveable kitchen bench. Some old theatre lights, rescued from the tip, may also make a guest appearance. “We are paying homage to the old house in several design features and custom finishes,” Jo explains. The fluted glass of the original 60s entry door is echoed in a window of double-glazed fluted glass – the last to roll off the machines as the product was discontinued. Jo describes the colour schemes as “tasteful noughties takes on the outrageous burnt oranges and wild blues of the original sixties fixtures”. The couple plans to furnish their new home with furniture they have already acquired, most of it collected from local garage sales over the years. All going well, the stage is set for the couple to be holidaying in their new home by summer. “I’m looking forward to having two bathrooms – not so much for privacy, but so that when we have visitors, we can all get out of the house before lunchtime to visit the markets and cafes we love on this coast!” Ecoliv won the HIA GreenSmart National Home of the Year in 2010 and recently won the 2011 Building Designer Association of Victoria award for Best Environmentally Sustainable Residential Home. www.ecoliv.com.au setting the stage for a greener life… Before After A deep commitment to sustainability and ‘keeping it local’ led Jo Sapir and partner Carl Sorger to Ecoliv for the build of their Inverloch retreat. words sally o’neill green living
Transcript of Before After - Ecoliv Sustainable Buildings · Before After A deep commitment to sustainability and...
coast 96 coast 97
Melbourne-based Jo and Carl made the decision to buy in the seaside town of Inverloch in a snap – in fact on the very afternoon they were shown the modest 1960s beach house on a block sheltered by shady gums.
For over eight years they’d enjoyed their holiday home but knew it needed some changes. Years of soul-searching led to the decision to pull it down and start again with a completely green vision.
The couple undertook extensive research in Melbourne. “We saw a lot of good options, but then thought local would be best so we shifted our focus. When we found Ecoliv, all our dreams came true,” says Jo passionately. “The minute we walked into the office, we knew we were on a winner.”
Ecoliv is Wonthaggi-based and the concept offers a modern, minimalist aesthetic design that reflects an environmental consciousness. Custom-designed by award-winning Beaumont Concepts, Ecoliv fuses creative design with environmentally-friendly principles at an affordable price. The carefully researched designs offer a choice of standard pre-fabricated modules which can be configured to meet individual lifestyle needs. Each design achieves a minimum seven star thermal rating through the integration of sustainable features across all aspects such as energy and water usage, materials and design efficiency.
Jo and Carl’s important criteria were an environmentally-friendly approach to design and construction, and the certainty that none of
their beloved trees would be damaged or removed. “We wanted the house to fit inside the existing footprint, and to be on stumps to sit lightly on the site.”
Choosing a local company meant the couple could make the build their own. Working with Jess and Ashley from the Ecoliv team, they incorporated several changes into the modular design. “They have been really easy to work with, and very collaborative. We are confident that the house is going to respond to what we want.”
Walking around the site, we inspect the structure taking shape. The new layout mirrors the original beach-house design with kitchen/living area and three bedrooms. Yet the contemporary design is a more functional interpretation with efficient use of space and light and the modern twist of two bathrooms. The rear of the new house opens up to the north, giving the kitchen and large exterior deck plenty of light. At 12 squares all up, this is a modest home, and the environmental features of the Ecoliv design more than meet the couple’s desire for a green build. “The process has been easy – I’m confident that all of the research has been done by Ecoliv and we don’t have to worry, we can just relax and go with the flow,” says Jo.
In a tribute to both partners’ backgrounds in theatre and staging, lighting will be a key feature. Carl has combined his theatre and electrical engineering skills to integrate LED and some funky lighting features through the design – like the stand-alone, fully-wired
moveable kitchen bench. Some old theatre lights, rescued from the tip, may also make a guest appearance.
“We are paying homage to the old house in several design features and custom finishes,” Jo explains. The fluted glass of the original 60s entry door is echoed in a window of double-glazed fluted glass – the last to roll off the machines as the product was discontinued. Jo describes the colour schemes as “tasteful noughties takes on the outrageous burnt oranges and wild blues of the original sixties fixtures”. The couple plans to furnish their new home with furniture they have already acquired, most of it collected from local garage sales over the years.
All going well, the stage is set for the couple to be holidaying in their new home by summer. “I’m looking forward to having two bathrooms – not so much for privacy, but so that when we have visitors, we can all get out of the house before lunchtime to visit the markets and cafes we love on this coast!”
Ecoliv won the HIA GreenSmart National Home of the Year in 2010 and recently won the 2011 Building Designer Association of Victoria award for Best Environmentally Sustainable Residential Home.
www.ecoliv.com.au
setting the stage for a greener life…
Before After
A deep commitment to sustainability and ‘keeping it local’ led Jo Sapir and partner Carl Sorger to Ecoliv for the build of their Inverloch retreat.
words sally o’neill
green living
