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Green Living Builder Spotlight – MBAV magazine 2008
We hope to use to highlight some of the interesting projects that are pushing the boundaries of sustainable construction which our Green Living Builders are working on.
Name: Ronen Kavallero
Company: Knight Homes
Master Builder Green Living Builder since: June 07
Company History:
Ronen arrived in Australia in 2004 , totally unfamiliar with the Australian language and culture and dedicated himself to his ultimate goal of becoming a registered builder in Victoria.
After successfully completing the Domestic Builder Registration Course and applying to becoming a Domestic Builder Unlimited, he succeeded at his first attempt. Continuing his quest for further knowledge, Ronen undertook the Green Living course and has been successfully implementing the information the learned in the course into his projects - with amazing success.
Once be became registered, Ronen began work on a two-unit development in Bentleigh and, after developing and selling that project, acquired a property in East Bentleigh. After demolishing the existing dwelling, (with the environment in mind) Ronen build two stunning townhouses, both with a 6 star Energy Rating:
The project has the following eco-friendly/stainability features:
Demolition:
In interest if minimising waste and adding to refuse during the demolition phase, Ronen:
- Separated all rubbish into recyclable and non-recyclable
- Pre-stripped the house only demolished the frame and roof
- Sold roof titles, windows, doors, floors, basin and bathroom taps to reuse
- Sent all excavations straight to clean fill
Sustainability Features
Bamboo flooring - An alternative to timber products, bamboo grows quickly and is a renewable resource that grows to maturity in 4-6 years. The root system remains unharmed upon harvesting and allows for sustainable future growth.
Bamboo grows back to its original size within a few months and is able to grow again and again. The best types use no urea-formaldehyde in the glues.
The coatings are water based and are free of halogenated hydrocarbons, heavy metals, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, fomaldehyde.
Double glazed windows - Used special PVC windows, imported form Germany that are innovative in appearance and functionality. Together with careful sealing around the edges of the windows this helps to dramatically reduce the amount of heat lost or gained from the house. The units also became noticeably quieter as the amount of external noise is reduced.
Landscaping - Installed a low water use, controlled, irrigation system with computer that adheres strictly to water restrictions combined with plants that require little water such as yukkas. He also kept the existing mature trees.
Underground rainwater tanks plumbed to toilet, laundry and garden - A 3000 litre underground tank for each unit reduces energy its reliance on the drinking water system and allows for maintenance of a green garden.
Water Fixtures - All taps, showers, mixers at least 4 and a half stars and water suppressors used on showers. Solar hot water further reduces energy use and on site recycling during construction reduces waste sent to landfill.
Low Maintenance Features - External Fences are Steel-tubed, powder-coated, very attractive and never requiring maintenance. Color bond roofing and rock-faced concrete bricks were also used.
Lighting - Combined fluorescent, using concealed lighting to produce a pleasant subdued lighting effect. Fluorescents use much less energy than downlights.
Timber - Ronen has used timber exclusively from a managed forest and all off-cuts were recycled. |
