The residential housing sector in Australia is rapidly growing and at the current rate of sustainability adoption in new built housing, energy reduction goals will not be met. Australia’s urban landscape is characterised by low-density living with a continual lack of implementation of sustainability initiatives in new builds beyond mandatory minimum requirements, resulting in the ongoing construction of low performing housing stock. This situation can be attributed to the lack of information available to new homebuyers as well as the unchallenged adoption of the ‘Australian Dream’ of freestanding home ownership.
This project investigates how a socio-technical transition design approach can enable consumer awareness-led change. Utilising behaviour change design methods, the DWELL website contains a range of informative, interactive and participative features to engage and educate the user. Advertising and industry partnerships gain brand exposure and increase homebuyer awareness of DWELL.
Educating and empowering new homebuyers will enable the transition to a better-quality and climate resilient built form, improving occupant comfort and reducing overall energy usage. This is crucial to ensure the Australian housing sector can reduce emissions to meet energy reduction goals and achieve a climate resilient and future-proofed housing reality.
