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Capability Statement

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With a solution-focused approach, we collaborate closely with clients and consultant teams to align on scope, time frames, design objectives, and cost. We’re committed to delivering a strong return on your investment. Are you interested in our work in the commercial and industrial sectors?

Download our Capability Statement

Feature case study

Inverell Livestock Exchange saleyard cover 1_gallery

In 2012, RLX purchased the livestock venue and began upgrading it for better animal welfare and safer conditions. They engaged us to design and install a custom yard cover. Our collaboration ensured it complemented existing infrastructure while managing stormwater effectively.

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Feature article
Andrew Whale shearing shed 1_tile


Providing Industry-Leading Steel Building Solutions 

Central Steel Build, committed to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, has solidified its reputation as an industry leader. We're revolutionising agricultural structures, and transforming how farmers and producers approach building solutions. If you’re interested in our work in the agricultural sector, read the article to discover how we’re transforming building solutions.

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Latest case study
Keysborough Powercor industrial depot 4_tile


Keysborough Powercor industrial depot

In collaboration with Powercor and B2B Project and Construction Management, we optimised cladding and parapet heights for a cost-effective solution. Our value engineering minimised unnecessary elements, enhancing functionality with vehicle storage in the rear and office space in the front, featuring unique cladding for branding. Read more about the project's details.

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2 min read

Australian self-powered house maximises sustainability

Australian self-powered house maximises sustainability

Austin Maynard Architects sustainable house

Coming into winter we are all starting to turn on our heaters as the cold nips inside our homes. Wood heaters and other less sustainable forms of heating are not only expensive to run but harmful to the environment. Very little energy is needed to make a well-designed house climate comfortable with methods such as appropriate insulation, passive solar design and a draught proof design. Highly efficient homes with no heating or cooling input are possible across much of Australia, of which Austin Maynard has successfully created in their Garden House.

sustainable house exterior

house with brick interior walls

The Garden House

modern house dining room

The Australian studio designed a multi-volume family home in Melbourne Victoria that produces it’s own energy and has a white shingled façade. The Garden House is located on a narrow residential street replacing an existing single-fronted cottage. The house is largely hidden from the street and produces roughly 100 kilowatts of energy a day through solar energy. Austin Maynards state that the house is more than just a home:

“Garden House is a power station, pushing far more sustainable energy back into our shared energy grid than it uses. The home was designed to feel natural and connected to nature with the use of materials, whilst still being hi-tech and high performing.”

modern house with glass walls

The only part of the house visible to the street is the pitched roof garage whilst the main house is accessed by a brick passageway beside the garage on a large L-shaped land plot. To reduce the scale of the home it was broken into four blocks connected by mirrored glass corridors to reflect the surrounding gardens. The design is composed of a variety of materials such as recycled brick, glass columns and pitched roof volumes in steel shingles.

How it is self-powered

Tesla generator

Although the home is self-powered it is not full of complex gadgets and technology systems. It uses a completely electric power system that is generated from solar panels on its roof. The panels generate electricity which is stored in two Tesla Powerwall batteries. Also, a 10,000-litre water tank is positioned under the garage concrete slab and harvested water collected from rainfall is used to flush the home’s toilets and to facilitate garden irrigation. Glazed walls and concrete floors in the living spaces assist in passively heating the home during winter months. The house’s concrete slab absorbs heat from the sun and redistributes it throughout the day.

sustainable house exterior and garden

Sustainable heating and cooling options

Using passive design principles in the design of your home is the preferable to having to retrofit mechanical heating and cooling systems. Heating and cooling together are the largest energy user in the average Australian home so it is important to get it right when designing a new dwelling. For existing houses, installation of high efficiency heating and cooling technologies with modest building improvements and behaviour change may be cheaper options to reduce energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions than major home renovations.

Gas heaters, efficient reverse cycle air conditioners and heat pumps produce one-third of greenhouse gas emissions compared with standard electric heaters. To find out more about sustainable heating and cooling options visit yourhome.gov.au

Information credits: dezeen.com

 

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