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The Green Swing

Added by editor, on October 31st, 2014

22898_Genesis-300x225Towards the end of 2009 two couples started an ambitious project promoting sustainability in urban living, which they named “The Green Swing”.

Until 2013 their main focus has been to complete a small scale, sustainable, inner city development called “Genesis” as well as setting up a framework (with Victoria Park Community Garden Assoc. the Town of Victoria Park) to revegetate storm water drains in the Town of Victoria Park.

“Genesis” consists of two town houses and two apartments on a 837m2 block and within walking distance to the train station and shops. All dwellings were designed to make the most of the sun’s energy in the winter and to use shading, proper ventilation and thermal mass to dispense with air-conditioning in the summer. The design has resulted in very high energy ratings, including a 10 star!

This project showcases different construction methods: reverse brick veneer in one of the town houses; strawbale in the second town house; and double brick for the two apartments. The whole development is carbon negative (produces more energy than it consumes) and has shared rainwater and greywater systems.

Adjoining the site is the drain~ which can often been seen as a negative. However, sumps like this can take up a lot of valuable land in our urban area. Most are a hole in the ground with vegetation consisting of grass and weeds which is mowed a couple of times a year… and the whole thing is enclosed by an ugly looking fence. This has been turned into the Sump Community Garden

Imagine now how this site is being reshaped and used as parkland, re-vegetated with trees and shrubs, and potentially providing space on top of the banks for local food production.

The Green Swing team are now working on their third project, “The Siding”. “The Siding” will be  a continuation of the vision for sustainability, again maximising passive solar orientation, high energy ratings and real community connection and lifestyle woven throughout the design and proximity to amenities.

For more details see ~ The Green Swing

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