Breezway sets the benchmark for Brisbane's house of the future

On a balmy evening in Brisbane this coming summer, one family will sit around their dinner table in a home '17 Miles from the Rocks' naturally cooled down by a cross-through breeze from the outside native trees.

Talk to any modern builder or architect these days and chances are 'sustainable living' are two words that will come up in conversation.

Solar hot water, dual flushing toilets, rainwater tanks and energy saving appliances are all ways of being more environmentally responsible as well as essential tools to reduce costs associated with running a household.

Another facet of sustainable living is cooling the home down naturally without the use of expensive airconditioners.

Louvre windows are a modern alternative to traditional electrical airconditioners that not only allow 100% airflow through the house using natural breezes, but look ultra chic and modern too.

July 2006 saw the completion of the Brisbane home under the Queensland State Government's Sustainable Homes project at Seventeen Mile Rocks in the city's westside which showcases a number of design features encouraging environmental, social and economic sustainability.

The architecturally designed house is based on the philosphy of passive design 'forest living' which replicates the natural ventilation and insulation present in a forest canopy. Sheltered breezes glide through the home without directly exposing the interior to the searing sun or a cold sky.

As the world-wide market-leader for louvre windows for more than 50 years, Australian-owned and operated Breezway was an integral part of the architect's design for the home.

The double storey, four bedroom contemporary Queenslander incorporates Breezway louvres all throughout the home including the roof and ceiling plan which acts as a thermal chimney, promoting the benefits of natural ventilation for cooling in summer and in conjunction with thermal mass, for heating during winter.

High ceilings and a clever thermal exchange system achieved with Breezway glass louvres in the roof creates a natural air-conditioning system where louvres in the skylight roof are coordinated to suit both the season and time of day. In summer, the louvres are open to let the heat escape during the day, but closed during the evening to retain the cool air in the ceiling cavity. In winter, the louvres are closed both day and night to allow hot air to build up in the ceiling.

Breezway Sales & Marketing Manager David Brogan said he believed Brisbane's first sustainable home was an outstanding opportunity to demonstrate to consumers the benefits louvres have in naturally ventilating a home.

"The incorporation of louvres assists sustainability by reducing the running cost of the home and making it as comfortable and as healthy as possible to live in, therefore reducing the demand of energy for heating and cooling.

"Louvres feature prevalently in the home and much thought has been given to creating a thermal chimney effect using louvres and extraction fans," Mr Brogan said.

Providing wonderful breezeways and cross ventilation, Breezway louvres provide a natural and energy efficient way to maintain a comfortable, stable indoor temperature by controlling air flow and ventilation.

"Louvres give the best control of air flow and the greatest percentage of open area of any form of glazing," he said.