Sustainable design

Council works with its community to create a well-planned and sustainable urban environment. Council encourages residents to consider incorporating sustainable design principles into buildings and renovation.

Meet James, Jeni and Alan who renovated using practical sustainable design features, or take part in Sustainable House Day to see what others have done to make their homes more sustainable. 

What is sustainable design?

Sustainable design considers the relationship of the building to the local environment and community, and the broader environment and community, for now and in the future.

Guidelines and practical tips are available on Your Home, Australia's guide to environmentally sustainable homes.

Council has also developed the Green Roofs, Walls and Facades Technical Guidelines for the Inner West to support the installation of green roofs, walls and facades. The guidelines give an overview of how to plan, design, build and maintain green roofs, walls and facades.

Sustainable designers, builders and renovators consider:

• environmental and community context
• landscape, habitat and biodiversity enhancement
• passive building design through insulation, thermal mass and building orientation
• building materials
• reducing and reusing materials
• renewable energy
• rainwater tanks
• water sensitive design
• liveable designs

334 Young St, Annandale—Winner 2017 Sustainable Building Award

Useful online resources

Your Home

This resource provides information regarding how to conduct environmentally-friendly renovations, as well as how to save money and create a safe and comfortable home.

Sustainability Victoria

The Victorian Government provides information about how to ‘green’ your home, including a dedicated section about renovating in an environmentally-friendly manner. This website is almost a database of energy and water savings options and green renovation tips. It’s a fantastic resource, though some information regarding rebates may not be available for NSW residents.