In a world increasingly aware of the environmental impact of human activity, sustainable living has taken center stage. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Anna Cummins, the editor-in-chief of Sanctuary Magazine, to discuss the importance and evolution of sustainable design.

Sanctuary is a magazine dedicated to sustainable house design, produced by the not-for-profit Renew.  Anna began working there in a volunteer position, but her role grew over the years until she reached her current position at the head of the ship. Under her guidance, Sanctuary Magazine has become an incredibly valuable resource for anyone looking to build or renovate sustainably.

Anna starts off by outlining what exactly a sustainable home is. There is no universal standard, so things can get murky but she share’s the key factors she looks for:  

1.      Size: A sustainable home is built big enough to suit your needs but not bigger. So not building additional rooms for resale value later on. Every extra room in your house will add to your building costs but also costs down the line like heating/cooling, cleaning, and maintenance.

2.      Adaptability: Rooms are built to be multi-purpose. So, a room could be designed to function as a study, a guest room, or a media room depending on your needs at any moment. This is much more sustainable (and cost-effective) than building separate rooms that are only occasionally in use.

3.      Accessibility: Incorporating accessibility into a house's design from the beginning is easier and cheaper than trying to do so when the need arises. Many people are of the mindset that they will never need an accessible home but even temporary injuries like a broken leg can make it necessary.

4.      Sustainable Materials: This one is a bit trickier than the other factors. There is no perfect material and you’re often having to make trade-offs for what’s most important to you. Whenever possible, reusing and recycling is typically the most sustainable choice.

The Evolution of Sustainable Construction

There’s a growing shift towards more informed clients and builders who prioritise sustainability not just as a badge of honour but as a fundamental aspect of construction. Passive solar designs and Passive House standards are becoming more mainstream, reflecting a broader awareness and integration of sustainable practices in the built environment.

It’s a hard thing to keep track of, but Anna shares an example from her work that highlights the impressive pace of change. When she began at Sanctuary magazine, they constantly had people asking for advice to find sustainable builders because they were few and far between. That’s not the case anymore, there are loads of builders advertising this work!  

We hope this conversation offers you a look into the world of sustainable design and construction, and a vision of its future. Sustainable living is no longer a niche. It’s in the mainstream, and in demand. This is why we need platforms like Sanctuary Magazine more then ever. So, they can inspire and inform a wider audience about the benefits and beauty of sustainable design.

LINKS:

Connect with Anna 

Website: https://renew.org.au/sanctuary-magazine/

Instagram: @marniehawson

Connect with Us: 

Sanctum Homes:   www.yoursanctum.com.au/

Carland Constructions:  www.carlandconstructions.com/