Balfe Park

When our client purchased an off-the-plan apartment Balfe Park Lane by Kerstin Thompson Architects in Brunswick (the home of the Traditional Custodians the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people) it ticked many of the boxes they wanted in a home. It was well-constructed with lovely architectural design features, was a larger-than-average size that achieved a high level of compliance in the Livable Design Standards, and had a beautiful leafy outlook with a large balcony facing Balfe Park.

As a new building, it was somewhat of a blank canvas, so Brave New Eco was engaged to bring warmth to the space through design and furnishing, as well as increase storage and functionality. By the completion of this project, the apartment felt completely resolved, lived-in and loved, filled with layers of details, texture and usability.

The most impactful addition to the home, visible from the living, dining and kitchen areas, was the floor-to-ceiling joinery in the living room made from PEFC Eco-Certified Blackbutt by Auld Design. This is a joinery wall full of many surprises and delights, designed to delineate the living from the kitchen in a small space, and provide extra amenity without impacting on the floor space of the home.

We always design with the client's unique circumstances and interests in mind, which often ends up with us learning something new along the way! With a ‘busy but organised’ collection of objects and a passion for music and associated electronic equipment, the wall was custom designed for the technical requirements of the equipment. This included space for some already-existing speakers that needed to be on the solid floor due to their downwards-facing bass woofer, and some concealed hidden sections for the more unsightly items such as cords and powerpoints. 

One of our favourite elements of this project is the bench seat integrated into the joinery wall, clad in 100% wool upholstery and paired with a Caravaggio Read Wall Light. In a position that was previously too awkward to have a chair, the bench creates a peaceful view out to the park, and activates a place for a conversational triangle with people seated on the sofa and armchair.

Not obvious at first glance, we introduced some discrete colour pops within the joinery to compliment the clients’ collection of artefacts, electronics and artwork. These little surprises of deep teal and mandarin further mark the space as the client's own.

In the second bedroom, we designed a murphy bed that was concealed into a wall of joinery, giving the client space for their music equipment for the majority of the time, and the ability to host visitors to stay when required. To the right of the bed, the joinery appears like open shelving when the bed is up, but once the bed is opened, we reveal a hidden window in the wall to turn the shelving into a bedside table and phone charging station. 

Tucked behind the front door we added a practical and well-connected solution that would suit our client for the apartment’s entire life cycle. This integrated nook creates a flexible space that can be utilised as a WFH area or drop zone for the inevitable odds and ends of life. Crafted in the same finish as the joinery wall with a mandarin burst of colour and a cork-lined wall that references our client's childhood, we’ve created cohesion and functionality throughout the apartment.

Several other small improvements were made to increase the visual unity and function throughout the apartment. These included new curtains, a small amount of functional shelving in the kitchen, additional lighting in the bathroom, and furnishing selections 

‘I love all the aspects to the project so its hard to choose something that stands out. I like that that the design feels very cohesive but still very idiosyncratic… i love technology and niche AV gear and The design of this project meant I could indulge my love of this tech and gear but still having a beautiful space clear of tech clutter and cords!’
James (client)

---

CREDITS

• LOCATION: Brunswick, home of the Traditional Custodians the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people.

• SCOPE: Interior Furnishing Design Package

• CONCEPT + INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM: Megan Norgate + Liane Jarvie

• JOINERY: Auld Design

• PHOTOGRAPHER: Marnie Hawson

• STYLIST: Brave New Eco

• COMPLETION DATE: September 2023

1938

Tucked down a leafy street close to the botanic gardens in South Yarra is ‘Park Towers’, a 1938 art deco apartment designed by renowned inter-war architect Arthur Plaisted. Considered one of his most significant works, the two towers that give the building its name are separated by a central walkway, offering each apartment leafy views and plenty of natural light. With just 18 apartments in the complex, the top-floor apartment of our clients Bruce and Ange had an abundance of potential, with its serene outlook and beautiful art deco bones.

Bruce and Ange knew the promise of the apartment needed to be unlocked, and with their daughter Grace working in sustainability, they were drawn to the ethos of Brave New Eco. With a dated renovation from the 1960s to the kitchen and bathroom, the apartment still retained its original hardwood floors, a generous curved balcony with large windows, and the archetypal art deco fireplace. 

The twin objectives of this project were to extensively update the kitchen and bathroom, preserving and elevating the original features alongside complimentary modern aesthetics. The second intention was to introduce practical solutions to integrate new appliances, create more storage, and reconfigure the functionality of the space. 

Each project brings a unique set of challenges, and this one was no different. Firstly, we needed to achieve the end result without changing any of the internal walls which were all structural. And did we mention that this top-floor apartment was in a building with no elevator, meaning everything needed to be carried up the external staircase by hand? Our builders did not need to visit the gym for the duration of this project!

The kitchen in particular was small and awkward, and had to function as a place for meals as well as the housing a euro laundry. We removed the double doors that opened into the kitchen from the hallway and reconfigured the layout of the kitchen work zones to reveal a glass block window that a fridge had previously covered up, flooding the new kitchen with natural light. 

Two-tone joinery conceals integrated appliances such as the fridge, dishwasher and washing machine, cutting out much of the visual clutter. Separating the colours of the joinery so the lower portion of the cabinetry is warm earth shade, while above the benchtop blends with the neutral cream of the wall colour, keeping the space light and open.

We chose to keep and repair the existing checkerboard tiles in the kitchen that were the best part of the 1960s renovation, reusing not-needed tiles to patch and replace any broken ones. To elevate the original features of the apartment and reduce disparate elements, we repeated an existing curved arch shape (found in the entry/hallway) to a square arch in the kitchen.

Curved open shelving in timber joinery adds storage without closing off space to the eye, and curves are again repeated on the vertical return of the benchtop. 

The shallow space behind the front door provided the perfect spot for a full wall of shelving, and storage. A curved dining table has been designed to drop down when not in use.

In rearranging the bathroom, we concealed plumbing in a built-out wall to provide a storage ledge, and a bath was removed and replaced with a generous shower. 

Although planned in advance, much of the design had to be finalised on-site due to the age and construction of the building. This could have presented major challenges, however luckily (or call it designer intuition), during the demolition of the bathroom it was revealed that there had previously been two layers of floor tiles, which gave us a tiny bit more height so that we could incorporate an in-wall cistern for the toilet and remove the planned 100mm hob (little step) into the shower. The result is a functional little bathroom that feels much bigger than it is.

The original stuccoed walls were redone by a plaster artisan and have become one of our favourite textural elements of the project. A repurposed dressing table mirror hangs next to a ceramic honey wall lamp by Coco flip.

Contemporary adaptions of art deco signature elements are referenced throughout the apartment in sculptural curves, niches and simple geometric shapes. 

We invested in sustainable and durable materials that are set to become richer over time, including antique brass fixtures to tie in with the existing brass door hardware. We took our colour inspiration from the building details- original tiling and colours in the stairwells; staining the timber joinery a rich tobacco and using jade tiles directly reference the original Art Deco tiles. Recurring timber joinery touches, handmade brass accents and soft neutral cream on the walls provide cohesion throughout the apartment. 

Tiny mosaic tiles on the splashback allowed us to wrap tiling into the deep reveals provided by the solid masonry walls. 

Special thanks to our builder and tiler Paul and his joiner Charlie who worked through some of the finer details were expertly realised. Renovated 85 years after it was first built, the interior of this home is now perfectly resolved, timeless and practical, designed to endure and be loved and lived in for another 85 years. 

---

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY FEATURES 

As with all Brave New Eco designs, energy-efficient upgrades and sustainable solutions have been selected.

• Minimal intervention design - no relocations or removal of walls.

• Recycling and reusing floor tiles in the kitchen

• Energy and water-efficient appliances

• Using clients existing appliances 

• Using locally designed and made lighting

• Solid brass fixtures and fittings

---

CREDITS

• LOCATION: South Yarra, on the Traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples

• SCOPE: Renovation to kitchen & bathroom

• CONCEPT + INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM: Megan Norgate, Laura Green

• BUILDER: Elevate Bathrooms & Kitchens

• CABINETMAKER: Fineline Cabinets

• PHOTOGRAPHER: Marnie Hawson

• STYLIST: Brave New Eco

• COMPLETION DATE: December 2022

BOOK-END PROJECT: CONRICK WAY

The reality of the Australian housing market is that over 80% of new homes are designed and built by large volume builders and companies that offer a range of ‘off the shelf’ plans for their customers to choose from and then customise if desired. 

According to a report commissioned by Sustainability Victoria (linked here), volume builders have little motivation to provide information about sustainability features because demand is perceived to be low. This results in homes that have expensive ongoing running costs, and without expert design advice these homes are usually not completely functional for everyday life, with many areas of the footprint that have not been optimised. 

At Brave New Eco, we know that not everyone can afford the end-to-end architecture and interior design experience, so we have developed our consulting services as part of our commitment to the most amount of people owning a well-planned and sustainable space. We work with clients to provide our valuable expertise at the schematic planning stage, before we hand the improved plan back to the clients and their project team to continue their journey together. 

Our clients Gab and Drew didn't originally intend to buy in a new subdivision in regional Western Victoria, but with a strict budget to adhere to and after some serious research, they concluded a new build seemed like the most logical way to create their forever home without compromising on quality, functionality or performance.  

Once the decision to buy a block was finalised, Gab and Drew approached the design and build of their home in an admirable manner. ‘Instead of viewing [a new-build home] as a negative, we embraced it as an opportunity to see what can be achieved in suburban regional Australia on our budget…We hope to create an example and open the home up to the local community so that they can feel what it's like to live in a well designed, efficient space’ says Gab. 

They engaged design and construct builders Bolden Constructions, who provided in-house plans based on the considered brief Gab and Drew had created. By utilising Drew’s background in project management and the couple's tenacity and clear commitment to building a high-performance home alongside Brave New Eco’s consulting and specification services, they were able to achieve a home that is far from a cookie-cutter new build, and has the highest sustainability standards.

Having always imagined themselves living in an older Californian Bungalows or 1900s cottage, a big concern of Gab and Drew’s was making the home feel warm and lived-in. They were also conscious that by starting from scratch there was a potential that they would end up with a home that was a series of big boxes that didn’t flow or make the best use of their space. 

As a self professed ‘fan-girl’ of all things Brave New Eco, Gab felt that they would receive some valuable direction via Brave New Eco’s consulting services, and initially booked in a Concept Design Review. During this process, the floorplans were reconfigured by Brave New Eco to create a new entrance experience, to rationalise the proportions of the home and to improve the flow. Importantly this reconfiguration also reduced the size of the house by 25m2 while retaining all the functional spaces. The new floorplan resulted in a multitude of benefits: more space for the garden, reduced under-utilised space for circulation, bedrooms and bathrooms (meaning less area to heat and cool), a better flow through the home, and money saved that could be diverted to other priorities. Gab and Drew say that this floorplan revision was by far the best money they spent, and was a key moment in the home-building process. 

Gab and Drew had some ideas regarding design choices for their home, but did not have the confidence to execute their vision with the quality and warmth they desired. Brave New Eco provided a Fixtures And Equipment Specification and Interior Surfaces Specification to ensure the interiors in their home were on par with the improved footprint and flow of the space. There was a set of standard specifications and budget with the designs, so we went to work introducing carefully considered colour, texture and details for maximum impact in the spaces. 

In their original brief to Brave New Eco the clients had mentioned they loved a particular shade of terrazzo slab but assumed it was out of their budget. However, by making considered design choices across the floor plan and other materials we were able to include the striking terrazzo benchtop with shades of orange and inky green, so Brave New Eco expanded this palette to bring colour and texture into the house with durable practical medium cost materials. 

As another show of their commitment to a high performing sustainable home, during the build process Gab and Drew nominated themselves to be involved in the Sustainability Victoria Pilot Program. This meant that Sustainability Victoria representatives attended the building site to help educate the builders on details required to achieve the desired NATHERS rating and upskill the local builder to be able to include energy-efficient homes in the future.

The finished home is all-electric using efficient appliances and fittings, including an induction cooktop, efficient tapware to reduce water wastage and heat pump water system. A 10,000L water tank was installed in the garden, and a 4.5kW solar PV system the home means it achieves 100% offset to the grid and is operationally carbon positive with a 8.1 Star NATHERS rating.

Gab and Drew say the finished home ticks all of their objectives that they set out with their initial brief. ‘It's an extremely comfortable home to live in, it is very easy to keep clean, our friends and family feel immediately comfortable when they visit, I feel it shows our personality and it feels like us’. It also meets all the environmental and sustainability goals they set out to achieve at the start of the project. Not only is this home a wonderful place to live in that puts family connection at the centre of its design, but its running costs are slim to none, and it has been designed in a way that it will suit the entire family across their lifespan. In Gab’s own words ‘even after 18 months I am still constantly shocked and delighted that we are living in such a beautiful, colourful, welcoming family home that fits our family of 5 perfectly and also accommodates all of our friends and their children for our regular barbecues and play dates’.

---

Brave New Eco’s consulting packages allow projects with all types of budgets to have access to good design ideas and ensure more of them reach the sustainable outcomes that are so important in this day and age. They allow us to bring our insight, technical expertise and creative problem-solving to your project; assisting you to create cohesive, functional and enjoyable spaces. Find out more here.

STUDIO STUDIO

This Brunswick East project was an exercise in how transforming the existing space of a home can radically improve the way its occupants live, work and play. Our creative clients Katrina and Chris, along with their teenage sons Charlie and Franklin, approached Brave New Eco with an idea to convert the existing garage of their home into a multi-use space that would suit their evolving lifestyle.

The brief had three clear pillars: create a flexible living area which can also be used as a guest bedroom, improve the energy efficiency of their home, and create a backyard for socialising.

It is not uncommon for clients to come to us with the idea to convert a garage space, but unfortunately it is not often feasible to make a garage space habitable. The option of demolishing and extending the main home to allow for more space was going to be functionally awkward, as it would involve removing a previous extension entirely (which included a newly renovated kitchen), and starting again - both expensive and wasteful. A further factor to the design decision was that the house faced south in the backyard, so any new build would want to extrude back towards the north. Through exploration of what was feasible and would require the least intervention to the existing house, we agreed with the clients that a multi-purpose separate space in the backyard would solve the functional problems, while avoiding extensive intervention into the current home. 

The main house had doors and windows replaced with double glazing, and other thermal upgrades. Replacing a dysfunctional and unused garage and adjoining study at the rear of the property, the building shell was built by Inoutside, with the new studio size retaining the existing footprint of what was there. Double-glazed windows that look to the north back to the existing home create a visual relationship across a central courtyard and garden, and are able to slide right open so both spaces can be used when socialising around the central courtyard. The studio is full of natural light and warmth, highly insulated and perfect for work, play and guests. 

Inside the studio, we drew inspiration from mid-century aesthetics to create a palette of charcoal, orange and blue. These bold colours work harmoniously alongside natural textures of warm recycled hardwood, low-emission cork flooring and plywood, creating a space that is cosy and welcoming.  

A built-in daybed with horizontal hardwood batten detailing was inspired by the client’s existing Laddarax shelving, and is the perfect place to sit and gaze at the garden or play guitar. Made using recycled wood sourced with an orange check english wool seat, storage is both underneath and above like an open luggage rack for extra bedding. The daybed is flanked by a built-in desk on one side, and charcoal cabinetry with an eye-pleasing pop of mandarin orange laminex on the interior on the other. 

The timber battening detailing continues to the plywood walls, with panelling that elevates and adds interest. One of the advantages of a small and contained solution is that you can go that extra distance with materials due to the quantities not being an onerous cost. It was our mission to use as little plasterboard as possible in the interiors of this studio, and the timber-lined walls are a wonderful, warm solution. 

We designed to include space for the client's existing vintage 60s Ladderax shelving, where the family's guitar, records and music have a perfect place to be accessed. 

A new addition to the floor plan that truly makes the room multi-functional is a jewel of a bathroom that is compact in size without any compromise on beauty or utility. 

Open the internal orange door to find a striking deep blue and speckled green sanctuary that envelops you with its single use of colour. The entry corner of the bathroom pops with a mint green basin from Nood, tangerine Partaps tap, another splash of industrial orange with a custom ceramic Toscot Swing Wall Light, and the plywood panelling which continues from the main studio.

To realise Katrina and Chris’ dream of a ‘more people-friendly, bee and bird-friendly and productive’ garden, the client engaged Miri Ransom of Daily Gardener to work with us and design the spaces concurrently and cohesively. 

Against the cedar timber cladding of the studio, the garden courtyard is designed to be low-maintenance, lush and naturalistic, featuring brick paving and a simple bench seat to sit and be immersed in the garden. Deciduous trees enhance the passive solar design of the studio, providing summer shade while allowing winter sun to penetrate and warm the interior of the studio. A paved area with creeping groundcover on the eastern side functions as a secondary outdoor living space with a bbq, and potential for any gathering to spill out to the laneway via the car space roller door. 

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY FEATURES 

As with all Brave New Eco designs, energy efficient upgrades and sustainable solutions have been selected.

• No extension to original footprint, creating one space that removes the need for a larger home

• New efficient double glazed windows to existing home, along with flyscreens to allow for cross-ventilation

• Added additional insulation and draft proofing in existing home

• Installing solar panels 

• Energy and water efficient appliances

• 4.5 star split system for heating and cooling

• Hardwood timber sourced from Ceres fair wood 

• Cork flooring insulates against heat and cold, hypoallergenic and low emission

• Locally owned and produced soft furnishings, repairing vintage items for reuse

• Low VOC paints and timber sealants

• Low flow tapware

CREDITS

• LOCATION: Naarm

• SCOPE: Studio, garden & bathroom

• CONCEPT + INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM: Megan Norgate, Kelsey Dabinett and Liane Jarvie

• STUDIO BUILDER: In Outside

• FIT OUT BUILDER: Sam Oddie

• LANDSCAPER: Miri Ransom

• PHOTOGRAPHER: Marnie Hawson

• STYLIST: Brave New Eco

• CHAIR & SIDE TABLE: Dowel Jones

• RUG: Bremworth

• DAYBED UPHOLSTERY: Martel Upholstery

• TAP: Par Taps

• SHELVING: Vintage Ladderax

• COMPLETION DATE: 2022

THE GOOD BUSINESS

BRAVE NEW ECO IMPACT REPORT 2023 PART 1

In 2022 we began the process of working towards B-Corp Certification.

Certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. Unlike other certifications for businesses, B Lab is unique in their ability to measure a company’s entire social and environmental impact.

This is our first annual impact report outlining the areas in which we are creating and measuring our impact as a business. We are currently under review for B-corp certification.

Brave New Eco was established in 2014 with a clear mission to change the way we create homes for a less wasteful, more resourceful outcome. We have used the B-Corp process to reflect and measure what we have achieved in the last 9 years and to set new goals for the future. We are pleased that our values are still as resonant and true as when we first defined them. You can read about our mission and objectives here. We have been quietly doing what we do for over a decade now, and many of our sustainable design practices are so embedded that we sometimes forget that they are there.

The B-impact assessment has been the impetus to set up systems for measuring outcomes, so we can make improvements on our baselines for sustainable design. From this point we can imagine what is possible in the future we are all working towards together. 

Before we start here are some fun facts about the last decade:

• In 2014 Brave New Eco is registered by our founder Megan Norgate

• We have worked on 150 projects since then (some of us need a lie down after writing that!), including 53 residential designs.

• We have completed medical, retail, wellness and office fit-outs, and have worked exclusively with purpose-led, community and wellness-focused businesses and organisations.

• In 2022 Lead Architect Joanne Natapraira became a co-director, and we registered as an architectural practice. We currently have 7 architectural projects in design or building progress.

• We have consulted on the sustainable design resolutions of 85 projects. Using our knowledge of sustainable design, we have helped homeowners to identify the most important factors to be thermally and technologically efficient, to reconfigure and resolve the concept designs for better functionality and passive solar function, and in many cases to reduce the footprint and costs of their build.

• In 2023 we created a purpose-fitted-out design studio on Sydney Road. You can read about this whirlwind and fun project in part two of our impact report here.

• In 2023 we built an internal system for measuring the outcomes of our projects.

CARBON NEUTRAL OPERATIONS AND CARBON ACCOUNTING

In 2020 Brave New Eco began measuring our greenhouse gas emissions using free online business calculators. At the time, the cost of a full carbon inventory was prohibitive for a business of our size, so we mitigated the limited accuracy of these online tools by purchasing twice as many offsets than our emissions score. We offset 4 tonnes of carbon annually from GreenFleet Australia.  

During 2023 we are collecting data for a full carbon inventory with certified B-Corp Green Moves. We are tracking our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. We will be offsetting 100% of emissions recorded and setting new targets for reductions once the calendar year is complete.

COMMUNITY

As part of our B-Corp process, in 2023 we have established policies to support our hardworking team, and to give back to our community. We have allocated funds and or time for each policy. Our do-gooding practices are outlined below.

CIVIC GIVING

Brave New Eco recognises the importance of acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we work. We are committed to "Paying the Rent" as a step towards justice, truth, equality, and liberation for First Nations people. 

Since June 2020, Brave New Eco has donated a portion of our design fees from each project to Seed, Australia's first Indigenous youth-led climate network, to support their vision for a just and sustainable future with strong cultures and communities. We fulfil our giving commitment regardless of profit and income.

COMMUNITY BANKING

In February 2023 Brave New Eco switched to banking with certified B-Corp Bank Australia.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

90% of our professional services are local, Australian businesses. When possible we opt to working with B-Corps such as Marnie Hawson, our lovely photographer.

OWNERSHIP and LEADERSHIP

Brave New Eco is a female-led and family-owned practice.

OUR TEAM

In 2023 we established an internal coaching, feedback process and a team satisfaction survey. We support job, cross-skill, and life-skill training to enhance employee skills, knowledge, and personal growth.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

We encourage employees to engage in volunteer activities that positively impact the community and/or environment. Each year we choose a project to volunteer our time to as a group and provide each employee with paid time to participate in volunteering activities.

RESPONSIBLE SUPERANNUATION BONUS

A superannuation bonus is offered to employees who wish to transfer their super to an ethical investment option.

CYCLING AND CARPOOLING INCENTIVES

We provide a free annual bike tune-up to employees who ride to work more than 50% of the time, and free parking to those who carpool. 

PRO-BONO PROJECTS

We have an annual commitment of 50-100 hours each year to pro-bono projects and industry advocacy.

THE GOOD WORKSPACE

BRAVE NEW ECO IMPACT REPORT 2023: PART 2

During the first half of this year, Brave New Eco moved into our new home on Sydney Road. This is our fourth studio, sharing with our long-term studio-housemates SBLA who have come along for the ride again, and we plan to be here for a while! We have applied our design philosophies to this space including; reusing existing elements on site, extensive sourcing of second-hand materials and furnishings, and a healthy dose of colour. We love to take on sad old buildings with a story, and have completed an extensive fit-out and upgrades to the crumbled-down building and previous pie shop. We designed as we went, on a crazy six-week long fit-out window and made the most enjoyable, healthiest, carbon-free space we could!

SECOND HAND AND RECYCLED FIT-OUT

• Use all second-hand architectural fittings including windows and interior doors.

• Second-hand sinks, basins, troughs and kitchen benches.

• Second-hand appliances including dishwashers, washing machines and fridges.

• Used carpet offcuts.

• Made use of remnant and sample tiles, tapware, fixtures and lighting.

• Sourced second-hand furniture including shelving, caddies, couch, chairs, stools, side tables, drawer units.

• Sourced second-hand kitchens x 2.

• Salvaged granite benchtops.

• Sourced vintage lead-light pendant.

• Second hand cupboards and storage.

NEW MATERIALS AND FITTINGS and FURNISHINGS USED

• CO2-neutral natural rubber Forbo Marmoleum flooring to the kitchenette.

• Australian-made, plant-based Triexta carpet to shopfront.

• Oriented strand board lining.

• Polycarbonate sheeting.

• Corton steel sheeting.

• Live brass locally manufactured kitchen tap from Par Taps.

• Locally made Laminex Olivine desks.

• Remnant fabric wall hangings for sound absorption from Ace and Jig.

ENERGY USE

• Our all electric studio uses 100% green power from Momentum Energy.

• Onsite solar array is connected to a hybrid solar panel-powered reverse cycle heating and cooling system from Solar ACDC, to provide heating and cooling.

• Designed for natural light spill through polycarbonate dividing walls and internal windows.

• No gas is connected to the building.

• Induction cooking to kitchens.

• Draft sealing.

• Added natural ventilation systems.

• High-efficiency second-hand Electrolux and Fisher and Paykel appliances.

• Installed new LED lighting throughout.

WATER USE

• Installed low-flow tapware throughout the building.

EQUIPMENT

Our multifunction printer is made from 50% post-consumer recycled materials, has 50% reduced power consumption in Energy Saver Mode, low-melt toner technology, and the lowest Typical Electricity Consumption (TEC) values in its class. 

We purchase second hand Apple equipment, and we build our PCs from discrete components, allowing parts to be upgraded as needed without having to replace the computer entirely.

EXPENDABLES

This year we created an internal tool to track how the office products we buy, and the services we use, meet our criteria for sustainability social and ethical practices.

• Our toilet paper and tissues are sourced from Who Gives a Crap, a registered B-Corp, and meet 12 of the ESG+CSR metrics we are tracking.

• All of our paper products are either FSC or recycled paper products. 

• The coffee we purchase is from a local cafe, and meets 7 of the ESG+CSR metrics we track. We use a refillable recyclable container.

• Cleaning products are cruelty-free and made in Australia. Each product supports community initiatives, and 50% of the products we buy are refilled into reusable containers by us at a local store. The products meet between 9 to 13 of the ESG+CSR metrics we track.

UTILITIES

• We buy green power from Australian-owned Momentum Energy.

• Our internet provider is Aussie Broadband - a registered B-Corp.

• Our mobile phone plan is certified carbon neutral, provided by Telstra.

WASTE AND RECYCLING

• We have labelled bins to separate glass, plastic, paper and organic waste.

• We collect soft plastics, e-waste, batteries and polystyrene and deliver them to local recycling centres.

SHARED RESOURCES

We co-share the studio space with our studio family, landscape architects, SBLA and share supplies such as office paper and expendable items, enabling us to limit shipping, purchase in bulk and share appliances.

CYCLING AND CARPOOLING AND TRAVEL

We have onsite secure bike racks and encourage the use of public transport, riding and even walking to our projects! We provide an annual bike tune-up to employees who ride to work more than 50% of the time and free parking to those who carpool.

MEASURING OUR OUTCOMES: RENOVATION AND RETROFIT PROJECTS:

BRAVE NEW ECO IMPACT REPORT: PART 3

At Brave New Eco we specialise in transforming existing buildings. This is a very intentional approach, with a strong focus on the existing built environment, and a resourceful approach to create smaller more efficient existing buildings that are upgraded for the future. Our design and performance solutions must be nuanced and project-specific, and they are not as straightforward to track as new builds.

The Nathers energy rating scheme is not designed to rate upgrades to an existing house effectively. There is currently development funding to have this aspect of the tool available by mid-2025.

So that we can understand what has been achieved and where we can make improvements in the future, we have created an in-house performance tracking tool that measures the sustainable design outcomes of our projects. We have tracked all of our completed residential projects that contained a build component from 2013- 2022, and we are tracking our current design and build projects using this tool at a design level as part of our process.

We have measured the following areas across our completed projects to date: 

INCREASING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF EXISTING BUILDINGS

• Existing buildings are measured by the increase in energy efficiency from the original conditions.

• 100% of our residential renovation build projects that were rated by NaTHERS for building performance, increased in energy efficiency.

• 75% of our residential renovation build projects that were rated by NaTHERS for building performance, increased in energy efficiency by 70% or over from the original rating.

DESIGNING SMALLER FAMILY HOMES

• The average Australian home is between 232 and 252m2. The average size for the freestanding family homes we have designed is 170m2, between 50-80m2 UNDER the national average. 

• 70% of the projects with an extension increased the building area by less than 20%.

• 90% had a building area to less than 210m2.

• 60% had a the building area to less than 180m2.

HARVESTING RAINWATER

• 100% of our projects have included onsite rainwater collection through rainwater tanks plumbed for use inside the home.

GENERATING RENEWABLE ENERGY ONSITE

• 64% of our projects have included onsite renewable energy generation via photovoltaic panels. 

INSTALLING RENEWABLE HOT WATER HEATING

• 64% of our projects have installed heat pump hot water heater technologies or solar hot water heating systems.

• The remainder have been made upgrade ready when the current system ends its useful life.

UPGRADING INSULATION

• 100% of our project retrofitted insulation into the existing building into the roof space and/or walls and/or under floors.

DRAFT PROOFING AND GAP-SEALING

• 100% of our projects sealed wall-vents, fireplaces and gaps. 

INSTALLING ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS

• 100% of our projects used thermally broken double glazing on all new windows.

ADDING NORTH AND/OR WEST EXTERIOR SHADING

• 100% of our projects added exterior shading systems.

DESIGNING FOR PASSIVE VENTILATION

• 100% of our projects were designed for cross-flow and/or passive stack ventilation.

INCLUDING INTERNAL THERMAL MASS

• 53% of our projects introduced thermal mass capacity to the interior of the building.

UPGRADING TO ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING

• 100% of our projects used LED lighting throughout.

INSTALLING RECYCLING AND ORGANIC WASTE SEPARATION SYSTEMS

• 73% of our projects included dedicated indoor waste sorting systems including compost collecting systems.

INSTALLING INDOOR AIR DRYING SYSTEMS

• 100% of our projects installed indoor air drying solutions to reduce the use of dryers. 

TRANSITIONING HOMES TO RENEWABLE ENERGY

• 36% of our build projects have converted to all-electric operations. The remainder have been made electric-ready, retaining existing high-efficiency appliances in as new condition to prevent waste. Although this is difficult to measure, In some cases, we believe the embodied energy of replacing them early would outweigh the energy savings over that time period.

• From 2022 we are aiming to have 90% of our build projects converted to all-electric operations.

Our 2015 project bungalow upcycle reduced the size of the original home by

BETTER THINGS- OUR SYSTEM FOR SPECIFYING

Brave New Eco is committed to integrating ecologically sustainable design principles into our procurement practices- or in plain speak, how to make best-case choices about all the materials, fixtures and equipment that goes into a design.

Of all the sustainable design outcomes that can be achieved, we are the first to admit this is the least clear-cut. This is one reason we have a solid commitment to sustainable design at a function, form and operation level. It can be argued that the most sustainable building is one that already exists. All built interventions have a negative environmental impact in terms of resource use, and we work first and foremost to retain existing elements and reduce the size of our designs to achieve the maximum gain with the least material change.

We research all the elements that go into a design, always seeking the best choice that is feasible and fit for the project. As we work primarily on single residential and existing buildings, we have not found a third-party assessment tool that can capture the nuance of these choices at a small scale. For this reason, we have developed our internal methodologies to assess our selections. Our policy by which we evaluate suppliers and manufacturers is detailed below, but it does not tell the whole story. To understand how we think about procurement, we have summarised our approach in three main categories.

FIRST PRIORITY: Our holy grail of specification is one that exists already. This can mean reusing or repurposing an existing element, or the sourcing of a suitable recycled/second-hand one. When selecting second-hand items we prefer the re-use of brands that satisfy our nominated criteria below, given we consider them long-lasting and of good quality. This approach is not the easiest from a design level, as it takes more time and care to source and design around second-hand items. We consider flow-on flavour and skill-building benefits as part of the social outcomes of a project, as the restoration and complexity involved in using second-hand items fosters expertise in repair and restoration, diverts waste from landfill and adds a layer of emotional durability to the outcome. Many second-hand items have a significant human and past use story behind them, increasing the perceived value to the end-user, our clients.

SECOND PRIORITY: Focusing on certifications-only leaves out many small-scale, locally-produced and hand-crafted products and producers that are our second-level preference. These smaller makers and manufacturers may not have the resources to seek certification-level products, however, they may be implementing many low-impact methodologies, making exceptionally high-quality products, and contributing at a community level to local skills building which both retains skills that are otherwise disappearing in our local workforce, and adds to local economies through their procurement chains and activities. We can have direct conversations with producers at this scale and work in a collaborative way to make better products. There is a reduction in the embodied energy of transport, and these locally made products can be more emotionally durable for the purchaser. They are likely to love them for longer due to the connection and story they have formed with the maker.

THIRD PRIORITY: For products that are manufactured at scale by large companies, we look for third-party certification and companies that have broad, active and substantiated environmental and social policy goals and outcomes. Certifications include Good Environmental Choice, Global Green Tag, Forest Stewardship Council, Green Guard and Good Weave Certified. We also look at manufacturing processes, carbon neutral operations, onsite renewable electricity generation, wastewater reuse, recycling and take-back programs, packaging reduction or recycled packaging, and impact business models.

IMPLEMENTATION: 

As we are a small company, we have been able to rely for many years on internal expertise and knowledge from our team to ensure sustainable choices. As we have a growing team of designers making procurement decisions, and in a world of greenwashing, we feel it is not enough to just know you do something, you need to be able to measure it, prove it, and improve on it. We now have developed policies and embedded internal systems across all stages of the design to ensure continued best-case outcomes.

SUPPLIER AND MANUFACTURER ASSESSMENT INTERNAL TOOLS:

Our design team researches and assesses each suppliers ESG performance (Environmental, Social and Governance). We assess the Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies and actions of each company prior to adding them to an internal directory. Information, links and documents are summarised for the team and tags are applied to the contact when they are deemed to satisfy our criteria. We only provide tags for substantiated claims. Our research methodologies include background research on ownership and governance structures, including parent companies, material safety data sheets, manufacturing locations and processes, product material breakdowns, corporate statements and programs. We also contact sales reps for further information not readily available, or in the case of smaller companies, speak directly to makers about their processes. These companies are then sorted by the number of criteria they satisfy, highest to lowest and added to our proprietary metrics table that rates the number of tags a supplier has scored from both the ESD and CSR categories. This allows us to compare suppliers and manufacturers against others when making selections and then check off those selections on a project-by-project basis comparing the quantity of best-choice selections used in a project. The best-performing companies are always at the top of the list and are the first place we look when sourcing. Not all products are equal! Each product we use from a supplier is entered into our online product library, where we enter specific product sustainability information, including uploading product safety data sheets. This information is then made available for discussion and comparison to the clients, builder and other consultants via access to our live online portal. 

OUR Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) PROCUREMENT POLICY:

This Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) Procurement Policy outlines our commitment to selecting suppliers and products that meet high environmental standards. We positively screen our supplies through the following metrics to prioritize the following criteria when procuring materials and products to promote ecological sustainability in our architecture and design projects. We aim to select suppliers that are deemed to satisfy more than 6 of these criteria.

Local Manufacture:

• We preference the procurement of products manufactured in Victoria or Australia. Products carrying the "Australian Made" and "Locally Made" tags will be given preference during the procurement process.

Local Materials:

• Brave New Eco encourages the use of locally sourced materials in our projects.

• Preference will be given to products made from locally available materials, supporting the local economy and reducing transportation-related environmental impacts.

Recycled and or Recycled Content:

• We preference the procurement of materials with a high percentage of recycled content. Products with more than 20% up to 100% recycled materials will be favoured during procurement.

Recyclable:

• We preference the procurement of products that are designed for end-of-life recycling.

• Preference will be given to products that have a take-back program, are cradle-to-cradle certified, or can be easily disassembled for recycling purposes.

Carbon Neutral:

• We preference the use of suppliers and products that are carbon neutral or have a positive impact on carbon emissions.

• Preference will be given to products manufactured using carbon-neutral processes or companies that offset their carbon emissions.

Water Saving:

• We promote water conservation and efficiency in the procurement of products and materials.

• Preference will be given to suppliers who employ wastewater recovery in their manufacturing processes or offer products with low water usage.

GECA Certified:

• We prioritise products that have obtained sustainability certifications, such as GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia). b. GECA certified products demonstrate their environmental performance, including reduced environmental impact and resource efficiency.

Energy Saving:

• Brave New Eco encourages the selection of products that promote energy efficiency or reduce the need for energy consumption.

• Preference will be given to products that are energy-efficient in their use or contribute to energy savings in the built environment.

Biodegradable:

• Brave New Eco preferences the procurement of materials and products that are biodegradable and capable of breaking down when composted. Biodegradable materials contribute to the reduction of waste and environmental impact.

Organic Materials:

• Brave New Eco preferences the procurement promotes the use of naturally occurring organic materials over synthetic or man-made alternatives.

Low Maintenance:

• Brave New Eco favours products that require minimal sealing or maintenance over their lifetime.

• Low-maintenance products reduce the need for additional resources and contribute to long-term sustainability.

Low VOC/Non-Toxic:

• Brave New Eco promotes products that have low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions or are non-toxic.

• Preference will be given to products that meet or exceed industry standards for VOC emissions and are safe for occupants' health.

FSC Certified Timbers:

• Brave New Eco supports the procurement of products that are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

• FSC certification ensures that wood and wood-based products come from responsibly managed forests, promoting sustainable forestry practices.

Highly Durable:

• Brave New Eco prioritises the selection of highly durable products that have a long lifespan.

• Preference will be given to products known for their durability and ability to withstand wear and tear. 

Long Warranty:

• Brave New Eco promotes the selection of products that come with warranties beyond the industry standard. 

• Preference will be given to products with warranties of 10, 20 years, or lifetime warranties, indicating their high quality and durability. 

Handmade:

• Brave New Eco values the craftsmanship and uniqueness of handmade products. 

• Preference will be given to products that are meticulously crafted by artisans, contributing to the preservation of traditional skills and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Heirloom Quality:

• Brave New Eco preferences products that exhibit exceptional quality and have the potential to last a lifetime. 

• Preference will be given to products that meet the highest standards of craftsmanship, durability, and timeless design, promoting sustainability through longevity. 

Upgradeable:

• Brave New Eco preferences products that offer upgrade options to extend their lifespan and reduce waste. 

• Preference will be given to products that provide replacement parts, refinishing services, or after-sale options to upgrade and enhance their functionality over time. 

Communication and Implementation:  

• Brave New Eco will communicate this Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) Procurement Policy to all employees, suppliers, and relevant stakeholders. It will be implemented immediately upon approval. The policy will be periodically reviewed and updated to ensure its continued effectiveness and alignment with our sustainability goals.

OUR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) PROCUREMENT POLICY:

Brave New Eco is committed to corporate social responsibility and making positive contributions to society through our procurement practices. This Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Procurement Policy outlines our commitment to supporting various social causes and promoting sustainable business models. We prioritise the following criteria when procuring products and services to align with our CSR goals.

Not-for-Profit:

• Brave New Eco supports not-for-profit organisations and their initiatives. Preference will be given to suppliers that operate as not-for-profit entities, contributing to social welfare and community development.

Community Owned:

• Brave New Eco promotes the procurement of products and services from community-owned enterprises.

• Preference will be given to suppliers owned and operated by the local community, fostering economic empowerment and community development.

Fair Trade:

• Brave New Eco supports fair trade practices and the principles of ethical sourcing.

• Preference will be given to suppliers certified as fair trade, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable livelihoods for workers.

Impact Business Model:

• Brave New Eco values suppliers that have an impact-driven business model.

• Preference will be given to suppliers that prioritise social or environmental outcomes and integrate them into their core business strategies.

Locally Designed:

• Brave New Eco promotes the procurement of products and services that are locally designed.

• Preference will be given to suppliers that promote local design talent, fostering creativity and supporting the local design industry.

Original Design:

• Brave New Eco values suppliers that offer original and innovative designs.

• Preference will be given to suppliers that promote unique, creative, and original design concepts, contributing to the advancement of the design industry.

Family-Owned:

• Brave New Eco supports family-owned businesses and their contributions to the economy.

• Preference will be given to suppliers that are family-owned and operated, promoting entrepreneurship and generational sustainability.

Female-Owned:

• Brave New Eco promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women in business.

• Preference will be given to suppliers that are female-owned and operated, contributing to the advancement of women entrepreneurs and leaders.

First Nations Owned:

• Brave New Eco recognises the importance of supporting First Nations businesses and communities.

• Preference will be given to suppliers that are owned and operated by First Nations individuals or communities, fostering economic development and cultural preservation.

Refugee Owned:

• Brave New Eco supports refugee-owned businesses and their integration into the economy.

• Preference will be given to suppliers that are owned and operated by refugees, providing opportunities for livelihood and economic self-sufficiency.

Small Business:

• Brave New Eco promotes the growth and sustainability of small businesses.

• Preference will be given to suppliers classified as small businesses, supporting local entrepreneurship and economic diversification.

Australian Owned:

• Brave New Eco prioritises the procurement of products and services from Australian-owned and operated businesses.

• Preference will be given to suppliers that are Australian-owned, contributing to the local economy and fostering national self-sufficiency.