Building less is without doubt the most cost effective and environmental solution.

If you have an old home with good bones, a few strategic and creative moves may be all you need to create something very special.

In today's episode, we continue exploring the importance of reusing existing buildings and look at ways to renovate and add value and joy with minimal work. We'll investigate the renovation of a mid-century modern home located in Stafford Heights in subtropical Brisbane.

Architect Paul Butterworth, director of Paul Butterworth Architect, shares the inside story on his Stafford Heights Modern project.

Today we'll learn about the opportunities and challenges of reusing existing homes and materials. And we have a very interesting conversation about the financial challenges architects and builders face when working on low budget renovations and some real solutions to create better outcomes for everyone.

Australian Architects can earn formal CPD hours by listening to these podcasts and completing an online quiz.

MORE INFORMATION

Find everything you need on the Renovation Collaborative website.

www.renovationcollaborative.com.au

• PODCAST Key points summary, timestamps and resource links
• FREE RESOURCES Transcript edited into clear Q&A.
• CPD Australian architects can find more information on CPD, and
• COURSES Eleven easy to read courses demystifying the entire home design and construction process.

KEY POINTS SUMMARY

1. It's important for architects to educate their clients about the world of opportunity that design and particularly sustainable design offers. And if you're a client of an architect, it will require trust, sometimes bravery and working collaboratively to achieve a unique and environmental home.

2. If an existing house has character and good bones, think very carefully before demolishing it. Older homes contribute to the character we value in our streets and enhance property value, pride and delight in our suburbs. This character is rarely matched in new low budget homes.

3. It's easier to salvage and recycle items from demolition if you are living on site. Builders work within tight time frames and usually don't have the resources or time to stockpile materials and determine how to pass them on to a new owner.

4. An ordinary mid-century home may be cost effectively renovated into something very special through enhancing its existing motifs and design elements. Look for inspiration in the surrounding older homes.

Paul shared some very wise advice about architectural practice.

5. Architects must be transparent about their commitment to projects and build trust with clients by itemising non-chargeable time and tasks. Clearly itemise work done for free in invoices to ensure that your clients are aware of it. Encourage your builders to also follow this process because it helps to validate trust and the importance of give-and-take on a project.

6. Validate your construction team on site to build trust. Appreciate the skills they bring and ask their opinion. Creating a happy project site will help the project run smoothly and improve the outcome because happy people communicate better and are more invested.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

[00:00] Introduction

[01:23] Tell us about your practice and how you got into sustainable design?

[04:59] What's special about this project in terms of sustainability?

[07:29] What was the project brief?

[09:19] Tell us about the climate responsive design?

[11:08] Tell us about the site?

[11:41] Tell us about the design – interior and exterior - and your mid century styling?

[15:31] What mid-century features did you retain?

17:59] What is the story of the mural?

[19:34] Did you have much trouble finding a small project builder?

[22:49] Why are small renovation projects difficult financially for architects?

[29:52] Communicating uncharged time is critical for trust and to avoid resentment.

[33:46] Validating your construction team makes everyone happy and the project run smoothly

[36:43] Did any other interesting things happen during construction?

[38:52] What are the key learnings about renovating these older character houses?

IN THE NEXT EPISODE

Next week we move on to our next sustainable design theme - Renewable Materials.

We'll investigate Huff’n’Puff strawbale Sit Up wall panels and their use in the construction of a new Passive House on an off-grid site in the cool temperate Victorian Highlands.

I talk to architect Talina Edwards, a director at Envirotecture, who'll give us the inside story on her Huff n Puff house.

RESOURCE LINKS

PAUL BUTTERWORTH ARCHITECT WEBSITE

Project Page (images) https://www.pbarchitect.com.au/stafford-heights-modern

Paul Butterworth Architect – Youtube - Renovate or Rebuild TV Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFCD1i4C_NI

OTHER INFO

Rose Seidler House, Sydney https://mhnsw.au/visit-us/rose-seidler-house/

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GET IN TOUCH

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