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A Down to Earth philosophy using Carter Holt Harvey LVL products Mark Howard, principal and head designer of Down to Earth Builders and subsidiary Solar Earth Design, discusses the philosophy of sustainability behind both companies and how these were applied to this home in Panton Hill, Victoria. Utilising Hyspan Structural LVL and Hybeam Engineered I-Joists, the home is an expression of sustainability, energy efficiency, conservation and environmentally sensitive design. Down to Earth Builders have been around for decades now and still take a holistic approach to construction. Staying faithful to their ideals of sustainability and energy efficiency, each project relies on ethically sourced materials with a focus on waste minimisation and sensitivity to the environment. | Mark Howard tells of his involvement with the company from its beginnings, "I've been in the industry since the late ‘70s and we've always focused on more sympathetic and efficient building that is environmentally sustainable, that is both the built environment and the site specific environment. This has been our foundation philosophy and we have been moving forward in that direction for many years. Along the way, the type of buildings and developments we produce vary from traditional styles and methods from years gone by, to utilising modern or contemporary methods of construction as well." |  | The design practice, Solar Earth Design emerged so that both design and construction could adhere to the central philosophy over an entire project and offer that service to the public. In terms of materials, these must not only suit the various designs but must also come within the bounds of the sustainable philosophy. According to Howard, these materials are sourced from all over Australia and overseas. Howard in his early years, discovered Carter Holt Harvey and in turn Carter Holt Harvey LVL products. "The sustainability and management practices they use, led us to choosing their products. Carter Holt Harvey LVL is a first material choice for any project because it offers options for dynamic and flexible design that can allow us to be creative and innovative with challenging sites and challenging clients. We are constantly updating and re-educating ourselves and sourcing information. Using Carter Holt Harvey products, has allowed for creativity, problem solving and design choice. It means we have endless opportunities to solve an array of problems. The residence in Panton Hill, a twenty six square property just out of Eltham, is no exception. It was a challenging site with many constraints on construction and design. The home was to be custom built to the client's specifications on a site with historical mine-shafts left from gold diggings and mullock hills. A local miner was brought in to establish the position of the shafts and explain the site's legacy so that this could be factored into the design. The internal timber framework of the home could be interpreted as pit props and the rough-cut poles were left as a feature in the decking structure, incorporating the site's history. The site was also environmentally sensitive, with Council planning policies in place to give priority to the vegetation. For example, one tree had to be protected as it was in a host relationship with the native eucalypts and could not have been planted to propagate. With appropriate zoning and fencing and construction that reduced the impact on the land, the vegetation could be protected within the planning guidelines.
Howard explains "It was proposed that we have minimal earthworks or disturbance on the site. It was a vacant bush block so it was difficult to build with these restraints. We had to be innovative in our thinking. Carter Holt Harvey LVL helped to achieve this because we were able to use the engineered structural members to span longer distances and therefore there was a lower impact foundation system. Also, because of the sloping site the house was built split level to accommodate the topography of the site more easily in the design for the client and also to blend with the natural surrounds by keeping the building low profile. The building steps down the side of the hill following the contours of the land with minimal excavation." The house has an unusual design, with much outdoor living space and decking. First impressions are of many angles and curves with internally curved walls that create drama and substance. The windows are placed to optimise views of the bush and to allow for light and effective ventilation. Timber also features throughout the interior, with radial sawn timber in the foyer, recycled timber steps leading down into the home and the living areas combining timber and terracotta tiles that extend outward to the decking beyond. All colours and materials featured were chosen carefully to reflect the surrounding bushland. From a builder's perspective, the Hyspan Structural LVL and Hybeam Engineered I Joists provided stable structural members that Howard and his team of professional tradesmen could rely on to be straight, consistent in dimension and with an absolute minimum of differential shrinkage. In addition, the LVL allowed for cost savings because the characteristics of the product reduced construction time. Says Howard of the LVL, "It is part of our philosophy of integrity in building and design. We look at integrity in the products we use. We get technical support from Carter Holt Harvey that is hard to compare – it is outstanding in the industry." The home is also six stars plus in terms of energy efficiency. This is partly attributable to the timber products, because the life cycle of a building is also a consideration in sustainability. For that reason, Carter Holt Harvey LVL, which is renewable plantation timber, is a priority choice where energy efficiency is important. The house has many other energy conserving features, with earth and soil walls providing passive benefits for temperature control and a hot water service that requires insulated pipes running to service areas. Water conservation is another priority with a rain water tank installed and all grey water filtered and made available to the garden and surrounding vegetation. Storm and site water is also controlled by flexible pipes, drains and sediment barriers. It is the unique combination of traditional and new techniques and materials that has made the sustainability of this house possible. 
For further information contact:
Carter Holt Harvey
Phone: 1300 658 8...
Fax: 02 9468 5....
Web: www.chhwoodproducts.com.au
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