projects are brought to life via unique and
engaging platforms.
Design
The Project's design strategies showcase
intelligent and responsive architecture
combined with advanced engineering
techniques. This combination will
ensure that the 5×4 Hayes Lane Project
is at the forefront of sustainability in the
residential context.
Joining together, the various members
involved in the design process of the
"...consumers will embrace
sustainable outcomes as long
as it does not affect the hip
pocket, and does not affect
their lifestyle."
project collaborate to produce not only
a sustainable dwelling but also a high spec
design interior and exterior.
Embodied Energy
The area of embodied energy analysis
and indeed the entire field of life cycle
assessment is still very much in a state of
development. While International standards
exist (ISO14040 series), there are still
numerous approaches that are used and
considered acceptable for conducting
embodied energy analyses and the
various forms and components of a life
cycle assessment.
But the fact that this new home only scores a
“six star” rating under Australian standards,
despite it being carbon neutral and likely to
be net energy positive.
There is little recognition in Australian
standards ignoring things like “air-tight”
building, and geothermal heat pumps. These
standards are commonplace in Europe,
but apparently Australia does not adopt
them because it does not consider itself an
“extreme climate.”
Ralph Alphonso begs to differ, pointing to the
heat and wind on a typical Melbourne day.
“Architects say that air tight buildings are not
needed, but that is simply not true. I’m trying
to change that thinking.”
Ralph believes that consumers will embrace
sustainable outcomes as long as it does not
affect the hip pocket, and does not affect
their lifestyle. He is trying to prove that both
is possible with this new design.
Solar Generation
The building features 15 solar panels
totaling 3.5kW. Six of the panels are
mounted vertically on the north facing
outside wall, with another nine in various
angles on the rooftop, to create shading
and to allow the sun in during winter.
Key Achievements
• Zero Carbon – meets net zero carbon
standards with electricity-generating
photovoltaic solar panels generating
3,000 kWh/year
• Sustainable Water – rainwater collection
for garden irrigation and toilet flushing
• Sustainable Food – with 11m2 of
growing space, Ralph is already
growing chilies, herbs and strawberries
and is investigating the potential for
vegetable production
• Sustainable Materials – offcuts from
locally harvested and sawn hardwoods,
which would normally have been turned
into woodchip, have instead been made
into laminate timber used throughout
the building
• Culture and Community – four public
events per year to be held at the house for
people to share the construction journey
• Health and Happiness – a shady rooftop
garden and hot-tub with great views over
nearby downtown Melbourne!
For a comprehensive review of the 5×4
Project visit www.fivexfour.com
If you would like to experience 5×4
first hand contact Ian Johnson
at NECA EcoSmart Electricians on
(03) 9654 5533 to arrange a site visit.