Zero Carbon Challenge House

Winner of the Zero Carbon Challenge - Australia’s first zero carbon sustainable house competition. Cundall was part of the local Adelaide consortium, Collaborative Future, who are now bringing their concept to life. This Zero Carbon House is to be built at Lochiel Park, the Land Management Corporation’s green urban development.

The team were passionate to show it is possible to build a house that is zero carbon, fantastic to live in, and that won't cost the earth. In 2010, Cundall launched an open source industry learning initiative Collaborative Future which has been a phenomenal success. The initiative also helped Cundall to assemble the team to create this award winning design.

The project was designed to connect to the environment and create optimum comfort and efficiency while being affordable. Sustainable features included:

• A 7.5 Star thermal performance rating equates to an annual energy saving of approximately 70% compared with the average Australian dwelling
• A 3kW PV system generates more electricity annually than the house will ever use
• Expansive north facing double glazed windows offering  excellent thermal performance 
• The Climate Wizard high performance indirect evaporative air conditioning system adds no moisture to the air, so you get lots of beautifully fresh, naturally-cooled air
• EcoSmart bioethanol fires deliver clean heat for winter comfort so you get the ambience of a real open fire without the mess or hassle
• The high performance evacuated tube solar hot water heating system with gas backup ensures steaming hot water all year round
• The house has a completely landscaped outdoor space including a rain garden that filters stormwater, invites nature and encourages a seasonal urban lifestyle
• Recycling stormwater and harvesting rainwater, the house will reduce your reliance on fragile water resources