Since its inception, Matt Day Architects have been at the forefront of advancing sustainable ways of living. With an eye on the changing climate crisis, we ensure that our projects are in harmony with natural environments and your wellbeing. We endeavour to help our clients consume less, consume more wisely, and to allow for future generations to do the same.
Our approach begins with an initial conversation. We learn about your needs, aspirations, how you use your home and your design process. From here we ensure that sustainability remains a guiding principle in the brief and throughout the project.
Matt Day’s technical experience is woven throughout all aspects of the practice. Using various design strategies and practices we can minimise the carbon footprint of a project, while maximising the comfort and wellbeing of occupants. The end result is a beautiful and comfortable home that respects the natural world. We love to collaborate with like minded people and are always on the lookout on ways to push the boundaries of sustainable living.
Passive systems involve adopting a plan layout and building form that minimise the need for heating and eliminate the need for cooling in the Sydney climate.
A cool building in summer is achieved by limiting eastern, northern and western sun penetration into the dwelling. This is achieved through the use of shading devices, and reflective insulation. It is possible to design shading devices that block out summer sun, yet allow winter sun, these devices do not have to be adjustable due to the fact that the sun is much higher in the sky in summer than it is in winter.
In addition, orientating the building's openings helps capture cooling summer breezes from the east and south, encouraging cross ventilation. Thermal mass floors and walls absorb heat, releasing it at night, while cross ventilation is used to flush the warm air out of the building.
A warm building in winter is achieved by orientating the house to maximise solar penetration, best orientation to the north and east. Thermal mass in the ceiling, and bulk insulation in the walls retain the warm air in the building at night. (this may not be necessary given the buildings function). Openings need to be well sealed, as they are potentially a great source of heat loss.
Active systems are devices that can be incorporated into the dwelling to either further reduce energy consumption, to supply renewable clean energy, and to recycle waste.
These include:
- Solar and wind powered systems.
- On site water re-use, ie. greywater and blackwater purification systems
- Compost Toilets (waterless)
- Rainwater tanks to collect and store water for re-use.
- Stormwater detention systems to reduce runoff.
Most of these systems are costly and take many years before the initial investment is paid off.
Materials should be selected based on their energy consumption to produce the material, their thermal properties, longevity, and renewability.
Recycled materials, or materials that can be recycled in the future have the lowest overall energy consumption to produce and the greatest longevity.
The act of building involves a great deal of energy consumption. Transportation of materials contributes significantly in the overall energy consumed in building. Good building practices aim to reduce the number of deliveries, the amount of material and the amount of waste. Locally produced materials, construction methods, and local labour are essential in reducing energy consumption. Modular systems based on supplier standard sizing reduces off cuts. Elevated floor plates and pad footings reduce soil disturbance.
Sustainable, low-impact materials are:
- Non-toxic
- Recycled and recyclable
- Renewable
- Local
- Standard sizes, modular, pre-cut (reduces waste)
- Certified wood
- Durable and long lasting
Modular systems, based on supplier standard sizing, have a wide range of benefits. Modular construction can reduce off-cuts while elevated floor plates and pad footings can reduce soil disturbance. Modular construction can be 30-50% quicker than traditional construction with the benefit of avoiding weather delays.
Flexibility can be achieve through modular design throughout the design process with extra space and budget constraints easily factored into the design. Off-site construction of modular systems also means increased construction quality management and fewer disruptions.