Composite Roofing Structures Australian EcoVillage - World's best

The Gold Coast's Ecovillage in Currumbin, has recently been awarded three prestigious sustainability awards. Including the World's Best Environmental Development category at the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) Prix d'Excellence Awards in the Netherlands's, beating more than 100 international commercial and residential developments, the United Nations Association of Australia's Environmental Development Award, and the Housing Industry Association (HIA) GreenSmart Award for best building in Australia, Acknowledging the Ecovillage as the world leader in ecologically sustainable development.

At the heart of the award winning home are the Ritek custom roofing panels, providing many unexpected benefits to designer Will Collins. Will said, "The owner originally specified the Ritek custom roof panel which I had not incorporated in my designs before. The roof's strength allows for large unsupported spans of up to 8 metres and the sleek aesthetic curves complement the Ecovillage's unique natural environment. The brilliant cantilever capability of up to half the back span provides protection from the summer sun. The thin profile and simplicity of construction meant that supports such as purlins and rafters were unnecessary. The galvanised finish on the roof also ensures high quality water is harvested from the rain and dew."

This self-sufficient home, owned by the Ecovillage's Managing Director and founder Chris Walton and his wife Kerry Shepherd, captures the essence of what GreenSmart is about, addressing the full suite of sustainability criteria for a building, while the modern architectural design reflects Queensland's traditional heritage. As well as conserving and recycling water, the building incorporates the fundamentals of sustainability which are good orientation, maximising solar gain in winter while also taking advantage of cross ventilation in summer and large overhangs to provide shade against harmful solar rays.

Home owner Chris said "The thermal comfort provided by the Ritek roof helped eliminate the need for air-conditioning. The roof is perfect for innovative, solar passive design with unobstructed views. I wanted to overcome what I call the 'inertia of building culture'. There is a resistance to moving away from traditional project homes which are usually 'square' in shape. They do not take into account solar passive design, so in winter they have bad solar gain and in summer, poor ventilation. In these days of rising prices in fuel and electricity, these homes will not be economically viable in the future."

The roof panel incorporates Colorbond Custom Orb sheeting as the lining for the roof for both the top and bottom sheets and is bonded by thermal efficient, 95% recyclable polystyrene. When reused in its whole form into another home construction or renovation, it is 100% recyclable. This same house "The Living Laboratory" has also been nominated for the Queensland Building Designers Association's 'Most Sustainable House' Award. The winners will be announced on 1 August. While another of the Ecovillage homes designed by Will also with a Ritek roof, has now been nominated for the Queensland Master Builders Award in the category of Most Sustainable House and the winner will be announced on 19th July. The Highlands, the final stage of the Ecovillage, the peak 35 lots of elevated prime acreage, is being released next month. A few of these lots have now been earmarked for homes to be designed by the industry's finest, including names such as Gabriele Poole, Will Collins and