Airwaves Quarterly Newsletter Edition 7

project showcase

Photography: James Treble

Host with the Most: James Treble’s Celebrity Guest House

Australian interior designer and TV personality, James Treble, has worked in the building and design industry for more than 30 years, and is best known for hosting 9 Network’s Renovate or Rebuild, and appearances on Open Homes Australia and The Living Room. Treble recently turned his hand to a challenging personal project in cosy Umina on NSW’s Central Coast – a compact guest house that’s small on size and big on holiday vibes.

With only 60 square metres to deliver Treble’s project vision, clever design and the thoughtful selection of complementary materials and fittings were key to this small home’s success.

The project

James Treble’s Guest House was the final step in a two-stage project involving the transformation of an original coastal home into a mid-century inspired retreat, combined with the new build of this compact guest house (or ‘granny flat’) to the rear of the property.

Treble masters the challenge of constrained space in guest accommodation which feels surprisingly expansive. Open plan living flows seamlessly to outdoor entertaining and thoughtfully designed interiors invite guests to unwind in spaces expressed by the warmth of timber flooring and relaxed mid-century styling.

Treble demonstrates here that style and functionality go hand in hand. His eye for architectural refinement and sustainable design settled on stylish white and beechwood Fanco Infinity-iD DC ceiling fans to optimise seasonal comfort and compliment the timber highlights throughout.

Photography: James Treble website

Project features

• • Links with main residence’s mid-century styling
  • Dual street frontage with private rear access for guests
  • Open floor plan, light and breezy
  • Classic timber features throughout
  • Walking distance to the beach and shops

The last word

Multi-stage projects take careful planning to achieve desirable outcomes. And here, good design, sustainable thinking and a flare for architectural detail deliver this tiny but tasteful guest house.

Can we help?

Whether you need a subtle ceiling fan to blend in, or a stylish feature fan to compliment a specific design theme, our expert team can provide helpful suggestions which are both practical and stylish.

Get in touch.

an eye on the future

Electrify Your Home: A State-by-State Guide to Rebates and Mandates

Australia is currently moving towards energy-efficiency and the electrification of both residential and commercial properties. There are both incentives for electrification as well as mandates. And progress differs from state to state.

Whether you’re upgrading your own home or assisting a client, check out our handy summary of the changes being introduced and potential support for your project.

GUIDE TO REBATES & MANDATES BY STATE

VIC

Both electrification and energy efficiency mandates in place. Incentives available.

• • New homes and commercial buildings – must be all-electric from January 2027.

• • Your existing home – from March 2027, if your gas hot water appliance breaks and can’t be repaired, you must replace it with an electric alternative.

• • Your rental property – from March 2027, if a gas hot water or heating appliance breaks and can’t be repaired, you must replace it with an electric alternative. You will also need to install energy-efficient cooling in the living space.

What support is available?

Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU)
When replacing existing appliances, upfront discounts for households to help buy and install an energy-efficient…

• • reverse cycle air-conditioner
  • heat pump water heater
  • induction cooktop

Solar Homes Program

Offers rebates and interest-free loans to help install solar PV panels and/or a solar hot water system at your home or rental property.

NSW

No mandates at the state level (but local councils have introduced electrification mandates for new builds). Incentives to install energy-efficient appliances.

NSW Climate and Energy Action

When buying new or replacing existing appliances, upfront discounts for homes and small businesses to help purchase and install an energy-efficient…

• • split system air conditioner
  • solar or heat pump hot water system

Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR)

Eligible apartment buildings and multi-unit complexes can apply for up to 50% support to install shared solar PV panels to a maximum grant of $150,000.

QLD

No mandates at the state level. Industry incentive to upgrade home air-conditioning.

PeakSmart (SEQ and Regional QLD)

$400 cash-back to replace existing air-conditioners with a PeakSmart-compatible model. This industry initiative helps reduce peak demand by setting your cooling system to economy mode when the electricity network is under stress.

ACT

Gas connections are banned for new homes and businesses, effectively mandating electrification. Incentives are available to upgrade existing homes.

Sustainable Household Scheme

Low-interest loans (from $2,000 to $15,000) to improve your home’s energy efficiency. You can replace existing inefficient appliances with energy-efficient alternatives, including:

• • Electric stoves
  • Hot water heat pumps
  • Solar hot water systems
  • Reverse cycle air-conditioning

Also available for…

• • Household battery storage
  • EV charging systems and electric vehicles

Home Energy Support Program

Rebates of up to $5,000 for eligible concession-card-holding homeowners can assist with sustainable home upgrades, covering up to 50% of the upgrade costs and can be combined with an interest-free loan of up to $10,000.

Image reference: Fanco website

SA

No mandates or incentives at state level.

In line with other states, SA offers assistance for eligible households (such as concession card holders) with rising energy bills.

WA

No mandates at state level. Incentives available.

WA Residential Battery Scheme

Rebates and interest-free loans for the installation of home battery systems. Storing power can help reduce energy bills and share extra electricity to stabilise the grid.

Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS)

Bill reduction incentives to use more of your own electricity during the day and to assist with peak afternoon demand via west-facing solar PV panels.

ALL STATES (including TAS and NT)

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme

Federal rebates for homes and businesses to help buy small solar PV systems, air-source heat pumps and solar hot water systems, and solar battery storage.

ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility criteria and conditions apply for all programs. Check the specific program details for more information.

IMPORTANT
Our summary above is based on information available online at time of airwaves publication. May be subject to change. Check with individual support schemes for updates.

THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIFICATION
All Australian households and small businesses are encouraged to take sustainability action. With an understanding of the latest discounts, rebates and mandates supporting the move towards a future of electrification and renewable energy, you can now plan updates for your own home and assist clients to make this transition smoothly.

Need help with energy-efficient ventilation options? Get in touch.

a world of design

Photography: Image courtesy the architect

Sharing the airwaves love around, each edition, we shine the spotlight on a design project deserving your attention. Projects making big moves. Gaining respect globally. Leading the way in innovation and sustainability.

This month, our team’s pick is The Resilient House Multi-Generational Housing (Munich, Germany).

COLLECTIVE HOUSING DESIGNED FOR LIFE

‘The Resilient House’ is a collective housing project by German architects etal. in collaboration with a cooperative resident group, tasked with creating affordable, self-managed housing. This modest three-storey building in suburban Munich is founded on a social housing model, consensus-based design and an 80-year land lease. The development balances the current needs of today’s residents with the projected needs of future occupants.

What we love about this project

Featuring shared living and dining areas, a workshop, laundry and bike storage, the versatility of this building is the absolute highlight.

Designed to evolve over time, each level features a cluster apartment with several similar-sized rooms for flexibility. There are clever ‘breakpoints’ in the floor plan with lintels and thresholds left visible as a visual prompt for future adaptations. Party walls are located between rooms instead of standard stud walls. This increases sound proofing and the ability to reorientate the floor plan to connect adjacent rooms and separate others to cater for a future of multi-generational living.

Check out the flexible floor plans here.

Photography: Image courtesy of the architect 

Where the project shines

• • Resident-driven design, communal amenities
  • Kitchenettes can be added at low cost
  • No physical barriers for accessibility, multi-age living
  • Sustainable timber construction, Glulam interior linings
  • Low embodied energy, efficient material use
  • Natural insulation (cellulose, wood wool)
  • Green roof, solar photovoltaic cells
  • Shared gathering space for residents and local community

The Resilient House champions sustainability, delivering flexible housing designed to last a lifetime. A worthy legacy – looking beyond the residents’ immediate needs and daring to imagine a comfortable future for those who follow in their footsteps.

Find out more about The Resilient House

Ready to make your mark?

Our capable ventilation consultants can help future-proof your home or next development project.

Arrange a chat with one of our knowledgeable team today.

Thanks for reading! We hope you’ll join us for Issue 8 in December.

airwaves is an exciting industry collaboration from Universal Fans X Fanco. A membership publication for Universal Fans industry partners, this unique resource is released quarterly, and showcases real-life projects demonstrating innovative approaches to air movement in residential and commercial spaces, cutting-edge technology and inspirational design.

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