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RODERICK
SIMPSON
BASIX
Rod Simpson has been instrumental in the development of BASIX - the Building
Sustainability index which was adopted in NSW from July 1st 2004.
BASIX has been developed by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and
Natural Resources (DIPNR) to assess the potential environmental performance of
a residential development using a web-based tool.
BASIX is a mandatory part of the development approval process for all new
detached residential developments from 1 July 2004, multi-unit residential
development from 1 October 2004 in all Sydney Metropolitan Council areas, and
from 1 July 2005 across the remainder of NSW.
BASIX asks for information about your proposed new development such as the site
location, number and size of each dwelling, floor areas, landscape areas and
services. BASIX will compare the proposal to the average of existing housing
stock. The proposal is scored according to the potential it has to consume less
potable water and/or energy (converted to CO2 equivalent) per person than the
average existing dwelling. BASIX is flexible enough to accommodate new resource
and utility data and technology innovation, and will be regularly reviewed to
ensure the application uses the most current data.
Water
All residential developments will be required to achieve a BASIX rating of 40
for water conservation. This equates to reducing potable water consumption by
40%. Most developments will meet this target if they include:
- I. Showerheads with at least a AAA rating, tap fittings with at least a AAA
rating and a dual flush toilet; and
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II. Rainwater tank or an equivalent communal system (with a minimum specified
volume), or connection to an appropriate recycled water supply (for example;
the dual reticulation system at Rouse Hill) to meet outdoor laundry and toilet
water use.
Where a proponent nominates a rainwater tank, BASIX will require the rainwater
tank to be connected to an end-use (eg toilet flushing) before it credits any
reduction in potable water demand.
Energy/CO2
All residential developments will be required to achieve a BASIX rating of 25
for energy which equates to reducing greenhouse gases by 25%. This target will
rise to 40 in 2006. Most developments will meet this target if they include an
efficient hot water system and a well-designed house to make the most of
natural cooling, heating and lighting.
Because the various aspects are interrelated there are many ways of achieving
the targets. BASIX provides best practice guidelines but does not prescribe how
to meet the targets. It is left to industry and designers to determine the way
that is most practical and cost-effective for the particular proposal.
ANDREA WILSON
Andrea Wilson was elected chapter councillor to the NSW Chapter of
the Royal Australian institute of Architects on the following platform;
Architecture has always included beauty as part of its mandate. In recent times
it has also adopted sustainability. In the last decade in particular, the
Institute of Architecture has done great deal to focus the profession on its
role as designers of sustainable buildings and systems.
One of the major problems with current residential development is size. This
issue must be addressed in all developments not just for the sake of
sustainability but also for beauty. It’s not only on the fringes that
huge hulking houses smother the land. It’s also the architect designed
homes in the wealthier suburbs and the harbour front. Most of the space built
is nothing but vast emptiness, with lights on, space heaters and
air-conditioning.
SMALL IS STILL BEAUTIFUL
This old concept is one I would like to see the whole profession more actively
seek to incorporate into all their work
The possibilities that are encompassed with this simple concept can be
incredibly invigorating to architecture. Mindfulness of place, time and
life’s patterns , and especially as technologies improve, a more direct
path to sustainability.
It is a natural human tendency to accumulate, increase, grow larger. To change
direction will be no easy task.
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