Defence Housing Development in Adelaide Wins 6-Star Environmental Rating

Launched by Prince Charles in 2015, The Prince’s Terrace Adelaide development is due for completion later this year and is expected to set a new example for environmentally sustainable living.

A project formed from a partnership between Defence Housing Australia, The Prince's Trust Australia and the State Government’s Urban Renewal Authority (Renewal SA), The Prince’s Terrace Adelaide will feature 12 sustainable homes — a mix of eight terraces and four flats built as mews behind the terraces.

The project is located in the revitalised urban precinct of Bowden in South Australia.

These homes are predicted to use 50 per cent less energy and 50 per cent less potable water than a typical urban townhouse, with a carbon footprint also reduced by more than 40 per cent when compared to a standard house.

The development will become the first residential project in Australia to receive a 6 Star Green design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.

DHA Managing Director Jan Mason told The Advertiser the bricks used to build the terraces have been recycled from the original Bowden industrial buildings and are more than 100 years old.

“In addition, there is a strong emphasis on local, low carbon materials, including locally made concrete with a recycled fly ash content and local granite,” Mason said.

“The use of foam block, slurry concrete and double glazed windows means the apartments’ insulation levels will be more than double that of normal brick."

According to The Advertiser, apartments are also being fitted with roof ventilators, wall grills and ceiling fans to reduce air-conditioner and heater use (and) the core filling of the walls has fire ash and slag mixed into the concrete to comply with the environmental ratings.

“In addition, waste at the construction site is being sorted into three industrial bins; for general, concrete and steel waste. The steel and concrete is recycled 100 per cent, and overall the site has been recycling 95 per cent of all waste," they said.

Local family-owned company Palumbo Pty Ltd was selected last week by DHA to build The Prince’s Terrace. The project will employ 230 people from beginning to end.

DHA will reportedly retain some of the dwellings after completion, which is expected in October 2017.