Qld Large Houses And Climate Change On Collision Course

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30th November 2009, 02:42pm - Views: 1111






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Media Enquiries:

Ron Tanton, Queensland State Manager Archicentre (07) 3846 4957 

Mobile: 0421 598 233

Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Archicentre Mobile: 0417 329 201 

Media Release









30 November 2009

Large Houses, Efficient Building, Urban Sprawl, Climate Change and

Ageing Population on Collision Course  

The efficiency of the building industry, new materials, cheaper methods of construction and less

expensive imported housing fittings is providing Australians with an ability to build larger homes,

Archicentre the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects said today. 

Ron Tanton, Queensland State Manager of Archicentre said, the growth of the average floor area of the

Australian home from 150 sqm in 1985 to almost 215 sqm in 2009* has been a response to people wanting

and needing more space in the homes due to social trends and housing affordability. Source: CommSec

report

“Children are living longer at home because of housing affordability and higher rents, more people are

including home offices, there is a trend towards developing home entertainment centres and linking the

garden to the living areas by semi enclosed floored areas.” 

Mr Tanton said the efficiency of the building industry has meant that the metre value per dollar for home

builders or renovators has continued to remain extremely good for Australian home buyers and renovators

with major cost escalation being in land.    

“However the impact of climate change and the Emissions Trading Scheme, combined with governments

battling urban sprawl and a decreasing need for larger homes as Australia’s ageing population requires

smaller housing, will have an impact on the number of larger homes being built in the next ten to twenty

years.” 

Mr Tanton said duplex constructions, where two separate homes are built on one block with an adjoining

wall can become through a simple design adjustment one large home, and could form one of the future

answers to Australia’s housing affordability crisis and the creation of smaller homes. 

“In the near future however we would see larger homes remain on the agendas of Australian home owners

wanting to maximise their interior space and cut down the maintenance of large gardens areas due to time

poor lifestyle preferring low maintenance courtyards as outdoor dining areas.”

Australian weather also plays a role in bigger homes as interiors spaces can be used with comfort despite

storms or heat waves, Mr Tanton added.          







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