Little changes can have a big impact. Because the Benchmark Home’s deck is built from ModWood, which is manufactured from recycled milk bottles and reclaimed pine waste, we’re not using materials derived from old-growth rainforests, where many of the world’s most endangered animals, like orangutans, make their homes. So you can chill out in the Benchmark Home, knowing it’s good for you and better for the environment.
Performing at levels well beyond typical BASIX compliance, the Benchmark Home demonstrates how a little extra attention to design and materials can greatly improve sustainability performance. The current requirement for NSW homes is approximately 5 star thermal performance and a 40% BASIX score for both energy and water. The Benchmark Home’s interesting and effective features, combined with the use of sustainable products, give it a 6 star thermal performance rating, a 60% BASIX energy score and a 70% BASIX water score. For further information on Basix visit www.basix.nsw.gov.au
The Benchmark Home also showcases universal design – meaning the homes are designed to be flexible and meet the changing needs of people of different ages and abilities over time. Some features of universal design in the Benchmark Home include;
- Level access to entry door
- Universal Garage – 3.8m wide and 6m long
- Wider external and internal doors
- A powder room on the ground floor that can be converted to a full universal size bedroom
- Wall strengthening around the toilet and shower to allow easy installation of hand rails in the future.
- Dual toilet drains that allow installation of an adaptable toilet in the future
You’ll see how simple design elements can be incorporated into a home to create comfortable, welcoming living spaces, improve its environmental performance and save families money in household running costs.
Click here to download the Benchmark brochure
Click here to download the Benchmark fact sheet