Sanctuary 57 out now: Star power special

Sanctuary 57 is our ‘Star power’ special, in which we visit high Star-rated homes that hit the sweet spot for low-bills comfort with minimal extra outlay. We also explore the ultimate exercise in recycling: relocated homes.

Here comes another summer, with its sunshine, lovely longer days in much of the country, and the promise of holidays and outdoor adventures. However, it’s also a season that can test the performance and resilience of our homes with heatwaves and bushfire threat. Star power can help!

In this issue of Sanctuary we focus on high Star-rated homes that hit the sweet spot for low-bills comfort in all seasons. There’s a suburban eco development in Melbourne that bucks the cookie-cutter trend to deliver three individually designed high-performing homes, all over 8 Stars. An 8.7-Star Perth ‘forever home’ is tailored for ageing in place as well as very low operating costs, and one designer’s own house on the New South Wales south coast makes the most of readily available materials to achieve an impressive Star rating on a budget; it has seen the family through bushfire and pandemic disruptions in comfort. In Canberra, a modest renovation and upgrade saw a brick cottage jump from 3.8 to an excellent 7.7 Stars. And on our cover, this 8.4-Star Passive House built from prefabricated cross-laminated timber is a calm, cosy oasis on a tiny triangular block right next to a busy train line.

Taking the quest for liveability and energy efficiency even further, in On the drawing board Adelaide designer Ruth Nordstrom explains the design process behind her studio’s 10-Star demonstration house and its 8.2-Star neighbour.

Take a look inside Sanctuary 57

Also in this issue: Perhaps the ultimate exercise in recycling, creating your new home by relocating and upgrading an old house has many potential environmental and financial benefits. We investigate how it’s done, and visit three amazing projects that began with buildings on trucks.

Elsewhere, Jenny Edwards writes a moving tribute to Derek Wrigley OAM, Canberra architect, inventor, educator and polymath, who passed away last winter aged 97. Dick Clarke and Caitlin McGee take us on a tour of Your Home, Australia’s award-winning guide to sustainable homes, including how it came about and what’s new in the 6th edition. Our experts help you choose the right windows with recommended glazing and frame combinations for each Australian climate zone, and just in time for summer, there’s inspiration for how renters and those on a budget can create shading using plants – plus much more.

Sanctuary 57 will be on its way to subscribers shortly, and on sale in newsagents from 25 November. You can buy a copy online or subscribe to get every issue delivered. 

We welcome your feedback. Perhaps there’s something else you would you like to see in Sanctuary? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or by email.