Lismore and Byron Bay designers are being urged to think small for the chance to win a prize in this year’s sustainable small house building competition.
Launched at the Bangalow Showgrounds yesterday, the competition gives people with building design skills the chance to exercise their ‘creative flair’ by coming up with a building design for an environmentally friendly granny flat or small home.
The competition is open to professionals, the community and young people, with cash and industry service prizes for the winning designs. The winning entry will receive $1,000 in cash plus their business will receive a display for a year at the Green Building Centre (value $2,000).
There are separate second prizes for Byron Shire and Lismore City residents.
With the focus on ‘ageing in place’, and with granny flat fees being wound back in both LGAs there is an additional financial incentive for anyone who can come up with a suitable plan.
Byron’s sustainability officer Kim Mallee said, ‘Our communities are rich in skill and creativity and we hope to showcase new ways of thinking around designing sustainable living spaces.’
‘A sustainable small house incorporates renewable resources and reduces waste creation during its construction, is mindful of the micro climate and orientation of the site, whilst ultimately creating a living space that can function with energy and water efficiently once complete,’ she said.
Tara McGready, Byron’s senior planner said, ‘We have focused the design challenge to meet a range of criteria including being smaller than 60m2 in floor space and showcasing the green building principles. We chose these guidelines to help inspire affordable housing solutions and new ways of designing infill development in our urban areas.’
Entry forms and guidelines can be downloaded from www.sevenonsibley.com/shd2014 or by contacting the Green Building Centre on 0427 701 653. Entry forms can also be picked up in hard copy from Council administration offices or the Green Building Centre at 1 Brigantine Street Byron Bay.
Sharpen those pencils, folks: the competition closes on August 15.
