Sustainable apartment living

Societies around the world are becoming more environmentally and sustainability focused.

In our part of the world, we’re certainly no strangers to environmentally conscious decision-making in our daily lives and more than ever companies, families and individuals are thinking about the way we live and what our potential impacts on the environment may be. Forever searching for ways to simplify how we live and work, we are now also embracing new ways to live sustainably, these include reducing waste generation and increased efforts to recycle, increasing our usage of renewable energy sources and, in general, lowering our emissions and reducing carbon footprints.

Along with the ‘what’, we now find the ‘where’ is also forming a large part of this directional shift and nowhere is this more apparent than in the apartment living space. Apartment living, and Australia’s willingness to embrace it, is on the rise and in the current market conditions it certainly appeals to both the new homeowner and the savvy downsizer or investor. Apartments are fast becoming the new-age ‘’great Aussie dream’’ with modern spaces, natural environment inclusions and local amenities at your doorstep, it's easy to understand why.

It can be said (and supported) that apartment living is a more sustainable and eco-friendly way of living, one that has the potential to benefit residents (and their back pockets) in many ways. These may include:

Reducing (or removing) your daily commute

We know that apartments rate highly on the livability scale. Typically, you will find apartment developments located in urbanised centres or central hubs close to shops, medical centres, cafe strips and public transport access (along with more!). When most of what you need is at your doorstep, you will naturally find yourself commuting less which in turn not only saves you money (think fuel, vehicle wear and tear, service costs, parking etc.) but will see your personal carbon footprint significantly decrease. With Perth ranking as the most expensive city to both own a car and drive to work in, in Australia, removing the need for your daily commute, or having other options such as public transport on your doorstep can only be seen as a positive, for both the resident and the environment.

Saving the planet and your pennies

It’s pretty simple logic… a smaller space is quicker and easier to heat-up in winter and likewise, cool-down in summer; meaning less power consumption and therefore cheaper utility bills for residents. With additional modern design considerations, such as the use of heat retaining / reflecting materials, building orientation to enhance natural heating and cooling effects or the incorporation of solar and battery banking power options, today’s quality developments provide exceptional (financial and environmental) insulating properties.

Maximising natural light (more penny savings!)

Who doesn't love that time of the day when the morning (maybe more so afternoon) sunlight glimpses pierce through the window coverings and gently light up your living, kitchen or play space. This, along with the more practical use of naturally lighting a space for domestic use, is accomplished and enhanced by increasing the size and number of windows within a dwelling, and in particular when these windows are strategically placed to maximise winter sun and minimise summer heat.,Not only does reducing your reliance on artificial lighting positively contribute to your well being, but it also further reduces your energy usage costs. Light and bright is so fashionable right now… it creates a mood within a space which simply can’t be matched artificially.

Sustainable landscaping

The concept of natural environments contributing to overall health and wellbeing is an ancient one, dating back as far as Ancient Greece and Rome, with the use of gardens (interior and exterior) as a place for healing and restoration. For centuries the built and natural environments have been meshed together to create and enhance living spaces that maintain a connection with our natural environment, aid with peace and tranquility in the home and, basically, make spaces look pretty cool!

Vertical gardens are in. This piece of design (or landscaping) ingenuity is not only more sustainable but also saves on space, and they are so the trend right now. Consisting of a man-made vertically growing garden, fully equipped with all your garden needs (soil beds, reticulation and access to sunlight) this space saving, nature integrating landscaping option typically includes plants that over time will either partially or fully cover a building’s facade, or any other vertical structures for that matter. They can even be used outdoors to cover balconies and courtyards, provide shade over walkways or also be used in interiors to create nature screens and enhance air quality whilst also providing additional privacy.

TRELLIS Subiaco has been designed with many key sustainability focussed components in mind, and in addition to those above, also includes:

• Enhanced overall sustainability with a focus on the inclusion of natural elements such as sunlight, natural cooling, green spaces and renewable energy sources

• Communal green spaces, such as gardens and an atrium

• Building orientation to maximise natural lighting and solar energy harnessing

• The formation of tree canopies for natural cooling, improved air quality and sun protection

• 100% cross ventilation for all units to improve natural cooling capacity

• Bicycle storage facilities to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly modes of transport

• Carbays dedicated to electric vehicle charging