Media Release
	20 April 2004

Mosman Green

Tight Judging in $2 Million Green Housing Competition

Tight judging is expected in the search for a winning environmental renovation design for a run-down, single storey cottage on Sydney 's North Shore in Mosman.

Judging will commence on Wednesday this week in the environmental architectural competition being conducted by Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, as part of the Year of the Built Environment 2004.

State Manager for Archicentre NSW & ACT, Mr David Lawrence said, "Over forty architects have inspected the property and the winning entry will be announced on Tuesday 4th May 2004 at Mosman Green. The winner and the four finalists entries will be published on the Archicentre website. The winning architect will be commissioned to undertake the renovation project."

The Judging panel includes: Robert Caulfield (Managing Director of Archicentre), David Lawrence (NSW/ACT Manager Archicentre), Wayne McPhee (Principal Architect, McPhee Architects), Justine Kidnie (Agent, Di Jones Real Estate), Richard Dinham (Chairman, Design Inc), Glenn Simpkin (National General Manager, Sales & Marketing Development, Boral), and a Representative from Mosman Municipal Council.

Entries will be judged based on their ability to meet the brief to transform the property from a two bedroom, neglected cottage on an undeveloped site into a contemporary, environmentally sustainable, four bedroom home on a fully landscaped allotment.

Meeting the objectives of the brief also required consideration of the design's ability to:-

* Be of a contemporary design style that is in keeping with the quality of housing in the area and is visually appealing to the eye, with an inspiring street presence.
* Comply with local planning regulations;
* Incorporate environmentally sustainable design principles including passive solar design, natural ventilation, water re-use systems, etc;
* Have strong market appeal;
* Capitalise on the site's positive attributes (i.e. views, orientation, site size);
* Value for money - how well the budget has been allocated across the design.

"Upon the completion of construction there will be an extended open house period prior to auction. It is anticipated that the home will be sold at a profit, demonstrating to the public the financial value that can be added to their home through renovations using an architect," Mr Lawrence said.

"Australians spent $17.6 billion on renovations in 2003 with a 5% increased forecast, lifting the expenditure to $18.5 billion in 2004."
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics.

www.archicentre.com.au

Media Enquiries:
David Lawrence State Manager ACT & NSW Archicentre (02) 9555 5111 Mobile 0407 833 324
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications (03) 9818 5700