Pre-Session Week 5

Josh's House

Josh’s House – EP 13 - Performance

I really enjoyed this project, for so many reasons.

One of the common criticisms of sustainable and eco-friendly housing design is that it is too expensive to have your designed and built as such. Personally, I know of a number of family friends who have cut costs on their houses and invariably, sustainable objects and designs are one of the first things to go.

 I think it's great the way that Josh has designed and built his house on a similar budget to others of a similar size, immediately removing that first perceived barrier of entry. It is quite clear that his mission is to prove that sustainable housing is affordable and indeed achievable in Australian climates - a great initiative and it's wicked to see the results.

However, it would be interesting to know the behavioural mechanisms he has enforced upon his family. Josh alludes to changes in behaviour specifically relating to water consumption but I'm sure the family had to undergo a few other day to day changes. It's these behavioural changes that are the most achievable aspect of sustainability and are inclusive of everyone - even those not living in a sustainably designed house - so I hope a previous episode has or a future episode will elaborate on this further.