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Jamie Durie's Future House - Season 1 Episode 4
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00:00crisis we've ever had. We need to build homes faster and more efficiently for all budgets
00:07and all Australians. And that's exactly what Future House is all about.
00:14We're building three houses for three families in just three months,
00:20using three different budgets and three different modern methods of construction.
00:26My mission with this project? These houses must be stylish, sophisticated and above all, sustainable.
00:34Now we may not solve Australia's housing crisis, but we're going to give this a red hot go.
00:44So who are the three brave families who are joining us on this mission?
00:48The Fox family from Blue Mountains, New South Wales, are building two modular homes on the same block
00:55so they can care for their disabled daughter, Kate.
00:58So here is where Mummy's house is. This is a bit strange, isn't it?
01:02Because Mummy's got a house and Daddy's got a house.
01:05It hasn't been without its challenges.
01:07There's definitely a lot of anxiety going on, you know, paying that last instalment.
01:11But in the race to the finish, their two factory-built houses are well on their way.
01:17Then there's the Quachini family from Canberra, who are building a precast concrete home.
01:22Their home made a successful landing, appearing so fast it was as if it had fallen from the sky.
01:29It's all been in theory until this point.
01:31It's a dream come true.
01:33And my family, of course, the Juries, in the northern rivers of New South Wales.
01:38Our beautiful 3D concrete-printed home is going nowhere fast.
01:43DA is going in as we speak, so we're keeping our fingers crossed.
01:47This is impossible.
01:48Tonight, I meet a family who hasn't had an energy bill in years.
01:55So you're actually making money?
01:57Yeah.
01:58From your own battery.
01:59And we'll show you how you can do the same.
02:01Instead of getting charged, we actually make money every year.
02:04The Quachinis power ahead as Sarah takes charge.
02:07Two, and then the fan, and then two.
02:10Time to add some personal touches.
02:13Do you want to put your hand-print on them?
02:14Yeah.
02:14That's it. Good girl.
02:16After months of red tape and financial stress, the Foxes get some good news.
02:23Ready to put it on the truck next week and deliver.
02:26Woo-hoo!
02:27As house day arrives.
02:28Suddenly everything changes.
02:30You've got to start again a new life.
02:32But for me, it seems disaster is still around every corner.
02:39Such a small amount of time, Jamie.
02:41I can't give those ideas oxygen if I can't even get a DA approved.
02:47So I take matters right to the top.
02:49Is Australia the home of red tape?
02:51Red tape's a massive problem.
02:53Despite all the challenges, we're pushing this to the limit.
02:56Keep going, Ash.
02:57We're two months into our three-month-long mission to build the house of the future.
03:10I've come to Canberra to check on how the Quachinis are going with their future house.
03:15Well, I have just driven past the site and it seems there's a house there.
03:24And there wasn't a couple of weeks ago.
03:26Mate, how are you?
03:45You've built a house.
03:46Pretty much.
03:47Yeah.
03:47Wow.
03:48She's a decent size, isn't she?
03:50It's a custom 300 square metre home.
03:53It's not your average four bedroom.
03:54It takes up nearly the whole block.
03:57Custom rake sealant, steel.
03:59Yeah.
04:01Mate, I don't think I've ever seen anything go up this quickly.
04:04You've got the roof and the walls and the slab all in place and you're 11 days in.
04:11Correct.
04:12It's incredible.
04:13It's a good way to build, isn't it?
04:15Oh, mate.
04:15Right?
04:15After years of planning and months of red tape and heartache for Sean and Sarah, the
04:22speed with which their house has gone up is certainly welcome news.
04:26You've got a house.
04:27Yeah, we do.
04:28Wow.
04:28Yeah, we do.
04:29Look at it.
04:29The last time I was here, it was just garden.
04:33Yes.
04:33The progress in the time frame is just phenomenal.
04:36It just went up so fast.
04:39It's just really lovely and exciting to see because you can finally get to see it in three
04:43dimensions.
04:44It's not just a picture on the paper that you've had in your head for a long time.
04:48This is actually how it's going to feel.
04:51A bit steeper than it was last time.
04:53It is a little bit steeper.
04:54Because your house seems to have sunk.
04:56Yes.
04:57Just a little bit.
04:58We were expecting to be entering right about here, just walking straight in.
05:02The ACT's solar encroachment rules resulted in the Quachinis having to lower the level
05:07of their house and cop an additional 31k in excavation costs, which means that their
05:14new home is sitting in a big, costly hole.
05:18Well, I've got to say, I quite like it because it really feels like it's invested into the
05:25landscape now.
05:26Yeah, I quite like it too, actually.
05:27Yeah.
05:28And actually what's happened now that the house is low is you're looking straight at
05:32the garden instead of staring at everyone on the street.
05:36Yes.
05:38Now, what's this room?
05:40This is going to be the gym.
05:41The gym?
05:42Yeah.
05:42So bougie.
05:44One of the big things about our design was having a place that we could just take care of
05:48ourselves.
05:48Yeah, yeah.
05:49Because we've always been living in small spaces with everyone on top of each other.
05:52Yeah.
05:53And I do a lot of physio and a lot of rehab because of injuries.
05:56Yeah.
05:56Sarah, it's right.
05:58I can't get to the gym.
05:58Yeah, we can't get to the gym.
05:59It's impossible, isn't it?
06:01Since I've had kids, I've put on five kilos.
06:04Only five.
06:05Only five, mate.
06:06Yes.
06:07Thanks so much.
06:08Thanks so much.
06:10This is the kids' playroom.
06:11Oh, yeah.
06:12Great.
06:12Nice access into the garden.
06:14These are kids' bedrooms.
06:15Yeah.
06:16One, two, three.
06:17Yeah.
06:17So their space is right next to them.
06:19They can easily just walk straight out and play in the garden.
06:22And then the parents are at the front of the house.
06:24Yes.
06:24Guarding the family.
06:26Yes.
06:27And this is your big, lofty, northern outlook.
06:31That's our northern aspect.
06:32Sucks in all that beautiful winter sun.
06:34Yes.
06:35So good.
06:36Yeah.
06:36It's nice to actually see it and be like, yes, this is great.
06:39This is, you know, what we wanted.
06:42It's just all happening faster than...
06:46I knew it would be quick, but it's all just happened very, very quick.
06:49Safe to say you'll definitely be in well before Christmas.
06:52Yes.
06:52Would you like to hear how mine's going?
06:54Yes.
06:55Yes, please.
06:57We haven't even laid the slab yet.
06:59Yeah.
07:00Yeah.
07:02So old-fashioned.
07:03I know.
07:03I know you find that hilarious.
07:06Once the slab goes in...
07:08Yeah.
07:08..all the rest of the components will be 3D printed.
07:12At least that's what I hope.
07:17In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales,
07:20Michael and Helen's vacant block
07:21is being prepped for the arrival of their twin modular homes.
07:27In terms of site works, per se, like a traditional builder,
07:31there's very little work that we have to do for site works,
07:34or hardly any.
07:35That's because the houses are completely finished in the factory
07:39and then loaded onto trucks and delivered.
07:43Both Fox homes are at the eight-week mark,
07:45and they're almost complete.
07:47The only thing left is to drop it in on site.
07:50By end of this week,
07:52we would have had all of the, what we call,
07:54finish-offs and fit-offs, everything completed,
07:56and then soon after that,
07:58it'll be rocking up for installation.
07:59Hello. Hi, Rex.
08:07Hello.
08:08Helen, how are you?
08:09Your favourite person.
08:10Really, really nice to see you.
08:12Your house has come leaps and bounds.
08:15We are pretty much ready to put it on the truck and deliver.
08:19Woo-hoo!
08:19Okay, I'm going to show you, I'm going to flip the camera around.
08:23Okay.
08:24It's still painting underway.
08:26You're almost done, Sonny.
08:27Almost done.
08:29All your bench top, thrown bench tops,
08:32but they are non-carcinogenic, obviously no silica.
08:34Wow.
08:35So it's been cut already.
08:36Fantastic.
08:37And my sink is in.
08:39Oh, my gosh.
08:40Look at that.
08:40It looks so good.
08:41It's beautiful.
08:41I love it, love it, love it.
08:43Love the cabinetry.
08:44It's beautiful.
08:45Your tiling is done.
08:47My tiling is done.
08:49Oh, it's gorgeous.
08:50No, it's beautiful workmanship.
08:53Thank you, Helen.
08:54Thank you, Michael.
08:55It's a great pleasure.
08:58While the Quichinis from Canberra
09:00and the Foxes from the Blue Mountains
09:02have both made spectacular progress building their homes,
09:05I'm stuck in limbo,
09:08waiting for my development application to be approved.
09:12We're battling the clock and time is our enemy.
09:15Even my builders are losing confidence.
09:18I think it's just, like, such a small amount of time, Jamie, you know.
09:21I know it's crazy, but I just want to give it a red-hot go.
09:26The hard facts are putting DAs in is a punish.
09:30It's slow.
09:31It's laborious.
09:32I need to ramp this up if we're going to get this thing built.
09:35Well, we're off to the town planner's office.
09:43Weeks are slipping by.
09:46And I've still got nothing from council.
09:50Not even a notice.
09:53I'm not just worried.
09:54I'm up at night.
09:56Not just for the show, but for the family.
09:59I promised Amika I wouldn't put her through it all again,
10:06and here we are again.
10:08Things have been stalling,
10:10and I'm not going to hit this deadline.
10:13I mean, my whole life's hanging on this.
10:15It's not just my family and I.
10:19It's a whole bunch of really fantastic, motivated partners
10:27who are doing inspirational things in the sustainability space.
10:31But I can't give those ideas oxygen
10:35if I can't even get a DA approved.
10:37Well, we're off to the town planner's office.
10:52Weeks are slipping by,
10:54and I've still got nothing from council.
10:58I mean, my whole life's hanging on this.
10:59OK.
11:06There might be some light at the end of this tunnel.
11:09I just had a great meeting with the planners.
11:12NDC planners here in Lismore
11:14are bending over backwards to help me, which is great.
11:18I explained to them that it'll be an off-grid situation.
11:21It's the second 3D-printed house in Australia,
11:24so this is really making history.
11:26We're really doing a lot of innovative stuff,
11:28so hopefully, with that in mind
11:31and a decent letter,
11:34we might be able to get this over the line
11:36and get it built before the deadline.
11:41Two fingers crossed.
11:43Please.
11:46That's one bit of good news,
11:47but now I've got another hurdle to overcome.
11:50Will my 3D print actually work?
11:53Oh! No!
11:56A few weeks ago...
11:57I was left devastated
12:00when the first test print of a concrete column
12:03for our dream 3D-printed future house
12:05crumbled before my very eyes.
12:09Since then, there's been several more failures.
12:16What was the problem?
12:17The two accelerators that we used
12:19weren't actually mixed together properly, so...
12:20OK.
12:20Now, I'm back again for one last test.
12:28Wow!
12:29We're getting there.
12:30Mate, this is...
12:31This is...
12:32This could...
12:33This might actually happen.
12:36So, if we can't make this work,
12:38I think I'll book a ticket overseas
12:40and I'll never see Jamie ever again.
12:42So...
12:42The whole job is relying on...
12:45Obviously, we're printing the structure here.
12:47We're on our fourth test in the last, sort of, ten minutes,
12:50but we're dialling it in.
12:52I'm putting on a brave face,
12:55but to be honest,
12:56my confidence is shaken.
12:58If this column doesn't get to three metres,
13:01we don't have a house.
13:04You've got your 11 secret herbs and spices?
13:06We do.
13:07But we're accelerating this mix right at the head.
13:10So, in here, we're pumping in a liquid-based accelerant.
13:12Right.
13:13Just so that it'll cure,
13:14so it can take the next layer on top.
13:16We've got a 38-second lap time at the moment.
13:18OK.
13:19And, look, as we dial it in,
13:20we'll get down to about a 20-second lap time, I imagine.
13:22Yeah.
13:22So, we're getting there.
13:24We're going to get there.
13:25We have to get there.
13:27Bugger all this technical stuff.
13:28I just want to get it to three metres,
13:31or about three times my height.
13:33Look, we're doing a hell of a lot of testing now,
13:36and we haven't got long to get it right
13:37because this is a brand-new printhead.
13:39It's a brand-new, sort of, methodology
13:41for us to be able to print vertically in one go very fast.
13:49We've got two more layers left.
13:57It's at about three metres high.
13:59Pushing to 3.1, so I'm confident.
14:01Semi-confident.
14:04Mate, you did it!
14:05We did.
14:06You did it!
14:07Finally!
14:10I won't tell you I was concerned.
14:13Satisfaction.
14:14Absolutely.
14:15Only another 32 to go.
14:17That's true, actually.
14:18Yeah.
14:25In Canberra,
14:26the Corchini's new pre-cast concrete home
14:29has come a long way.
14:31It's a bit different with the roof on, isn't it?
14:32It is different with the roof on.
14:34It's sort of...
14:34And it's cooler in here too now, obviously.
14:36With the ResiCast process,
14:38once the walls come in,
14:40the house is built just like any other house.
14:43So it's another big day
14:44for owner Sarah and builder Mick
14:47as the electricals and plumbing are being roughed in.
14:50Well, it's good to have the boss on site, really, now.
14:53Yeah, it is.
14:53The other fella talks too much, just saying.
14:57Sleep?
14:58Yes.
14:59We should be right.
15:00And like all mums with young kids,
15:03Sarah doesn't have time to muck around.
15:05So, with lights,
15:07so we've got one over the lounge area
15:08and one over the dining.
15:10Dining, yep.
15:10And then we also,
15:11we're going to get some down lights.
15:12Yeah.
15:13Two, and then the fan,
15:14and then two.
15:15Right, one, two.
15:16That's all about right?
15:17Yep.
15:17And the fridge and the ovens are next to the fridge.
15:18Yep, got those, two ovens,
15:19one above the other.
15:20Yep.
15:20We're going to get a robot vacuum.
15:23So, that has been a dream for a while.
15:25I'm optimistic all the toys will stay in the playroom.
15:27Oh, yeah.
15:28Never happens.
15:31So, there's the shower.
15:32Yep, which I sort of marked out.
15:33That's roughly where your bath kind of is.
15:35Yes.
15:35We're going to put niches in now.
15:37Oh.
15:37Instead of...
15:39Well, dude, what's going to have a shelf?
15:41We've already tied on space.
15:42Where did these niches go?
15:44Glad I was here to sort out a few tiling things
15:46that I thought about
15:49but didn't actually tell anyone.
15:51Oh.
15:52I know, I'm a pain.
15:54Should have sent Sean here instead.
15:56Yeah.
15:58It's one long, though.
16:00A bit longer?
16:01A bit longer.
16:04I have a lot of things.
16:06Because I'll be sitting with my head at that end, yeah.
16:09Yeah, yeah.
16:09Sitting in the bath with my wine.
16:10This is actually Sarah time.
16:12It is.
16:13Mick may have built the house,
16:15but it's clear who's in charge now.
16:17Lock all the doors, sit in the bath.
16:18Now the kids will be down there,
16:20so I won't be able to hear them screaming.
16:21I'll just be in my little oasis down here.
16:25Hello.
16:26Are you waking up?
16:27Or is she?
16:28Oh, you're going to be cranky.
16:30No, we're cranky.
16:37Our time in the Northern Rivers on the farm
16:40with the kids and my beautiful Amika
16:42is just idyllic.
16:45The fresh air, the rolling hills and the farm animals.
16:50There's only one thing missing in my hashtag farm life.
16:53Something every Fairdinkan farmer needs.
16:56It's full range.
17:04That's a lot of tractors.
17:07We have 30 different categories.
17:09Yeah.
17:09And over 100 different models.
17:11Sold about 35,000 different machines.
17:15Wow.
17:16Turns out buying a tractor
17:18is a little trickier than I thought.
17:20Fortunately, I've got my mate Dazza on hand
17:23to guide me through Tractor 101.
17:26Mate, this is amazing.
17:27This is what you need in a paddock.
17:29Big slasher.
17:31Tinted glass.
17:33Off.
17:33Air-conditioned.
17:34Australia.
17:36Wow.
17:37Who's going to be teaching me?
17:39Unfortunately, me.
17:44Farm life, here we come.
17:47Woo-hoo!
17:52I've got a new toy
17:53for the farm
17:53and it's safe to say
17:55it's my favourite toy.
18:01I can dig
18:02anywhere I like.
18:04I can plant.
18:05I can tow.
18:06I can trench.
18:08I can do anything with this thing.
18:09It's amazing.
18:14What are you doing?
18:16I thought this would be great.
18:18Us working side by side.
18:19This is a dream come true, mate.
18:23Not for me, is it?
18:29Watch this.
18:30You ready?
18:32Dump in the low.
18:33I think you should stick to his day job.
18:44But maybe just do this one day on the weekends.
18:46Oh, my God.
18:53Now, I'm all about healthy, sustainable homes.
18:55And the Cochinis are getting a new system
18:58that brings new meaning to fresh air.
19:02Today, we're putting in a HRV system.
19:04Yep.
19:04It's a heat recovery ventilation system, basically.
19:07What's the system designed to do?
19:08So, basically, what we're going to do here is
19:10we exchange all the entire air of the house
19:13in two-hour cycles or three-hour cycles.
19:16You don't have to open any windows, any doors, anymore.
19:18Ah.
19:19You can keep them shut.
19:20Yep.
19:20And you get constantly fresh air
19:22to prevent mould and moisture build-up in the homes.
19:26Yep.
19:26You need, actually, a ventilation system.
19:28For a healthy home, basically.
19:30Pretty much.
19:35The Cochinis are setting up a happy, healthy home.
19:38However, the Australian building landscape is anything but.
19:41Amidst a housing crisis, building a house in Australia
19:45is too hard, too slow and simply too expensive.
19:50So, I'm going to the top
19:51to find out what can be done about this.
19:54Well, here we are at Parliament House.
19:56I'm in the courtyard
19:58and we're about to meet the Minister for Housing, Minister O'Neill.
20:03Now, what Minister Claire O'Neill doesn't know
20:06is that I'm going to ask her for a bit of a favour.
20:08Thank you so much for making time for us today
20:12because you have a big job on your hands.
20:15That's absolutely right, Jamie.
20:16We've got, in Australia today,
20:18millions of people who are in some form of housing distress.
20:21The Federal Government's got a goal
20:23of trying to build 1.2 million homes in five years.
20:26But we're not going to get there
20:28unless we see more innovation in housing.
20:30We are building homes in Australia
20:32basically the same way that we were 40 years ago.
20:35And if we're going to build faster,
20:36we need that to change.
20:37So what are we doing about making
20:39the practice of building your own home
20:42more affordable and more simple?
20:45Well, one of the main things that we can do
20:47is support innovation in housing.
20:49So we'd like to see builders
20:51trying new ways of doing things.
20:53And we know that the evidence overseas shows us
20:55that we actually can build homes
20:56a lot faster and a lot more efficiently.
20:58So on our project,
21:00we're looking at tilt slab construction
21:02where you can have a house to lock up in 10 days.
21:05Oh, my gosh.
21:05However, the council restrictions
21:09took them four to six months.
21:12Is Australia the home of red tape?
21:15Red tape's a massive problem.
21:16I spend a lot of time talking to builders
21:18and they say to me,
21:20you know, Claire, the hard part
21:21used to be actually building the house.
21:22Now it's working through that thicket of red tape
21:25that lies in the path of them
21:26just laying that first brick.
21:28One of the challenges is that
21:29we've got three levels of government in Australia.
21:31And for that 40-year period,
21:33all those three levels of government
21:35have just been adding on new layers
21:37of red tape and regulation.
21:39Now, for that favour I was talking about.
21:42Claire, we're lucky enough
21:43to have the Green Building Council of Australia
21:44as one of our judges.
21:46As we judge these three different
21:48modern methods of construction,
21:50we would love it
21:51if you would come out
21:52and help us judge these new homes.
21:54Absolutely, Jamie.
21:55You had me in a low.
21:57Oh, yeah, that would be great.
22:00Coming up,
22:01the big call I've been waiting for.
22:03But is it good news?
22:05Did you speak with council?
22:07Amazing.
22:08And?
22:10And the fox's homes hit the road.
22:13It's really an exciting job that we have here.
22:15On our farm in the Northern Rivers,
22:24the warmer weather means
22:26everything is suddenly bursting into life.
22:29Everything except for one small thing.
22:32Our 3D printed house.
22:42Damien.
22:43Yes, mate.
22:45Yes.
22:46Did you speak with council?
22:49Amazing.
22:50And?
22:52Yes!
22:54We got approval.
22:56Oh, mate,
22:57that's the best news I've had in years.
22:59It's incredible.
23:00Thank you so much for letting me know.
23:03Cheers.
23:05Yes!
23:06We got approval.
23:07I cannot believe this.
23:09That has to be an absolute record.
23:12So, Byron Shire Council said that they wanted to work with us because we were building something
23:19that was meaningful, sustainable, something that hopefully may spark a bit of change.
23:24And they've done it.
23:26They've pulled it off.
23:33In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, the foxes share the same determination to bring their future houses to life.
23:40Not even a blast of cold and wet can stop the final preparations for the delivery of their two modular homes.
23:47Water mains are being connected.
23:50I'll just say it.
23:53And the holes dug for the piers on which the modular homes will rest.
23:57So, right now, we're just drilling this second module, and we're just going a bit slower now because there's all these big tree roots.
24:08Yeah, this is a big job.
24:17It's all happening quickly now it's got to this stage.
24:20The modules, when they arrive, will be craned into position and fixed into the concrete footings.
24:27Leaving the comfort of our nice rental home, it's exciting, but it's, you know, a bit of fear, too.
24:35Suddenly everything changes.
24:37You've got to start again a new life.
24:40And it should be good.
24:43It should be good.
24:43I'm sure we'll be happy once we get in there and, you know, yeah, once we get rid of the drama of moving.
24:53It's my firm belief that every house in Australia should have a solar and a battery solution.
24:59You might remember last week that we helped sort out the Foxes solar system.
25:04What we're going to do for you guys is supply and install 10 to 15 kilowatt of solar per house.
25:11Now, I know that some of you may need a little more convincing or information on the benefits of a solar and battery solution.
25:19But what if I told you it's possible to never pay an energy bill again?
25:24And on top of that, you can even make money.
25:28Well, I'm about to meet a family who I'm told has done exactly that.
25:33You got rid of your old energy retailer and swapped and moved over to Amber.
25:38However, these guys are the new energy market disruptors.
25:42In essence, their software runs your electricity supply.
25:46You don't really have to think about it.
25:48Every day, there's two peaks of power in Australia.
25:51Electricity becomes expensive when everyone gets home from work.
25:54Yes.
25:54And first thing in the morning.
25:55Yes.
25:56Your solar system's got a battery.
25:57You store that energy in your battery.
25:59And then when the peak price happens, they launch any extra power you've got in your battery that you're not using in your house.
26:06They sell it back to the grid at the peak price.
26:09And if you make any money between those two levels, they pass those profits back to you.
26:14Correct.
26:15That's our current bill for Amber.
26:19You're in credit?
26:20Yeah, for $2,300.
26:22Instead of getting charged, we actually make money every year.
26:24You are a future house.
26:26Yeah, we're living in the future.
26:28Installing solar and batteries isn't just good for the environment.
26:35It's also good for your hip pocket.
26:37But it does take a little upfront investment.
26:40Well, there's a brand new tool that can help you improve your home's energy efficiency and even help you finance it.
26:47Combank has developed the Home Energy Assessment Tool provided by Home Energy Australia.
26:51By simply entering your address into the online tool, it calculates the energy efficiency of your house and provides options on how you can improve it.
27:01Including adding a solar system and batteries.
27:05Hey, let's see how this thing works.
27:07Yeah, sure.
27:07Good.
27:08So it's pulling in all sorts of public information, including aerial photos.
27:14And there we have it.
27:16It's low.
27:17That doesn't look good.
27:18That is very low.
27:20So it's a 3.9 out of 10, rather average.
27:23As you scroll down, you can see it provides you some suggestions around what you can do to upgrade.
27:27An obvious one is solar.
27:29And you can see here it actually helps you understand how much you might save after that upgrade.
27:34It even tells you how much it'll cost to install your solar panels.
27:37And if you scroll down here, it actually tells you what you might be eligible for in rebates.
27:42So let's say you want to go ahead with it.
27:43Yeah.
27:44It'll connect you to local installers.
27:46And if you need finance, Combank has a range of financing options off the back of it.
27:50So Combank will actually finance your solar system if you need to?
27:54Absolutely.
27:55I love this.
27:56These upgrades we will offer finance on.
27:58And if you are a Combank home loan customer, it is an incredibly competitive rate.
28:03So why isn't everyone in Australia doing this?
28:05Well, we're hoping with tools like this that take the hassle out of it, more people do.
28:11Now, I wouldn't recommend anything without testing it myself.
28:16So this is the spot, which is why I'm putting in the mother of all solar farms on my farm.
28:23All we're going to be doing is a ground mount system.
28:25It's going to sit on a frame, take up roughly 70 square metres.
28:29We're going to be facing about this way here.
28:31Towards that tree right there, basically, is your perfect north.
28:35We have three separate arrays, each 10 kilowatt.
28:41And that'll total our 30 kilowatt system.
28:43So this is the sun path moving relative to the array.
28:48We're going to have 30 kilowatt of solar panels.
28:50That'll supply the home and supply the big battery bank that we've got being installed.
28:5596 kilowatt.
28:55Well, that's about three times the size of an average home's solar panel system.
29:01And six times the amount of battery storage.
29:04I hope I'm not getting too carried away here.
29:06So you'll be running completely off the grid.
29:08No bill, no reliance on the electricity retailers.
29:12And in fact, because you'd pair up with Amber Electric as your retailer.
29:16Yes.
29:16Trade wholesale prices.
29:18Yes.
29:18You'll be in credit year round by a significant amount.
29:21So I'll have a holiday fund as well.
29:22You'll have a holiday fund.
29:24That's incredible, man.
29:27Exactly.
29:32Well, now that our DA's been approved, it's time to take a few more things up to the farm.
29:37Hey, kids.
29:39Are we going to pack some toys for the farm?
29:42Well, today is move day.
29:45And I feel like I'm getting deja vu all over again.
29:48Okay, that's one down.
29:51Meeks, the grace truck is here.
29:53Yes, this is it.
30:00We're going to the farm.
30:03All of this insulation.
30:05Yep.
30:06That's going to go to the farm.
30:07We've got our hybrid vehicles.
30:09The first removal company in Australia to have fully electric trucks.
30:13So we're pretty proud of that.
30:14For longer distance removals, Grace also offers a train service, which is exactly what we're using.
30:2190% of the items we're sending in to save it through the rail network.
30:24So it's actually less carbon intensive to send it by train than truck.
30:28It's about 40% less carbon emissions by doing it through the rail network.
30:32Wow.
30:34Beds, obviously, got to go.
30:36Kids, toys.
30:37Yeah, the crew will pull this apart.
30:38When we deliver, we put it all back together for you and put it in place as well.
30:41So you don't have to worry about that.
30:43That's dreamy.
30:44This was, yes, I don't envy the person putting this back together.
30:47It's not my forte.
30:49No, that's why we hire Grace.
30:50That's why we get Grace.
30:51Exactly.
30:52Yay, so good.
31:01Coming up.
31:03Problem solved.
31:05Mick gets the final piece of the puzzle in the race to lock up.
31:08That's very exciting.
31:09And we put my windows to the ultimate test.
31:13I've run 500 kilometres an hour.
31:16Whoa.
31:16In Canberra, at the Quichini's new pre-cast concrete house, it's a big day.
31:32Just got to look for...
31:33Oh!
31:34Bloody hell.
31:37Only just learning to walk.
31:38And build a mixed pump.
31:40Oh!
31:41Because the final piece of the puzzle he's been waiting for is due to arrive.
31:45Put the windows in today and finally get a lock-up payment, which is good, so it becomes
31:50cash flow positive today.
31:52So very excited about that.
31:54Now, when it comes to lock-up, Mick made some big promises.
31:57You're not telling any jokes.
31:58No, we're going to lock the four-beddy up for Sean and Sarah and the kids in 10 days.
32:03Due to factors out of Mick's control, it's ended up taking 17 days to get to lock-up.
32:09But somehow, Mick still managed to keep the build on schedule.
32:13Overall time frame, we're not bad.
32:16We're still pretty much on track.
32:18We're just not at lock-up, but we're past lock-up in other places.
32:23Oh!
32:24Interim, like, all the internal frames have gone up.
32:27To keep the build on track, Mick needs to get the windows installed today.
32:32So, it's a big day today.
32:35Yeah.
32:40The other issue, too, is the insulation's been booked in today because Chip Rock is on Monday.
32:47So, you know, we're going to be climbing over each other, which isn't ideal either.
32:52So, it's going to be a fair bit of people management today.
32:54Fortunately, as a former Rodeo clown, Mick's an old hand at negotiating tricky situations.
33:07Uh, not sure what the problem is, Al.
33:10Something about a big door's got to go outside, but the scaffold's there.
33:13So, we'll go down and check it out, I think.
33:15Mick?
33:15Yes?
33:16Can we remove that noggin?
33:17100%, let's do it.
33:21Problem solved.
33:22All happening.
33:33These are thermal broken windows, double-glazed.
33:37So, really good between the pre-caster being spot-on to the millimetre.
33:41There's no gap there, which is unreal.
33:43You know, that's what we're after.
33:45Another couple of hours, and we should have them all in.
33:49And, uh, Sean and Sarah will have a locked-up home.
33:51It's very exciting.
33:54Hello, Sarah.
33:55How are you?
33:56Good, how are you?
33:57Good.
33:58Very exciting day.
33:59Yeah, no, it's nice to see what you do.
34:01Now, when it comes to energy-efficient design, these windows are simply the best in class.
34:07We all know about double-glazing, but now there's thermally broken windows.
34:12It's new technology that makes windows even more energy-efficient.
34:15So, what thermally broken does is actually stops that heat transfer or cold transfer and then
34:21keeps your house inside perfect.
34:23You've got the best glass and the best aluminium products you can on the market for this kind
34:28of climate and this build.
34:29With the windows in, the Quichini's house is at lock-up.
34:34And all that's needed now is the final stamp of approval.
34:37Do you like the windows?
34:40Do you want to put your handprint on them?
34:41Yeah.
34:42Feel the windows.
34:43That's it.
34:44Rub it on.
34:45Come on, that's it.
34:46Good girl.
34:48Ha-ha!
34:49Oh, look at that, eh?
34:50All your handprints.
34:51Good girl.
34:52And that beautiful girl.
34:54Do you like them?
34:56Good job.
34:57Very happy.
34:58Yeah, thank you.
34:59They're so good.
35:01Dowell windows, in partnership with Ventus, are doing some incredible things.
35:08Remember Grandma's old house with the classic 1950s louvers?
35:12Well, they've come a long way.
35:14Dowell and Ventus have reinvented the louver, which means they've developed one of Australia's
35:20first twin-blade louvers that not only increases your home's energy efficiency, but also its acoustic
35:28performance.
35:29And I'm lucky enough to be using them in my design.
35:32But first, they have to be put to the test.
35:35This is a world first.
35:37I don't think we've ever had a double-glazed louver in the history of Australian building,
35:42have we?
35:42Not a dual-blade louver, no, definitely not.
35:44Wow.
35:45So the difference being a dual-blade versus a double-glazed, the aesthetics and the clear
35:49view you're going to get through it instead of a prison bar look.
35:51Are you really going to blow this window up?
35:53We're going to blow it up.
35:53We're going to turn it up to 300, 400 kilometres an hour.
35:56It's going to explode, so it's positive pressure, which is pushing on the window.
35:59Wow.
36:00So we want cyclone conditions.
36:02We want heavy rains.
36:03We want rain coming in sideways to see if it'll get through the louvers.
36:07We want heat.
36:08We want cold.
36:09We want everything, right?
36:10Smoke the whole lot.
36:10The objective of this test is to push the windows literally to their breaking point, beyond
36:16what they'd ever experience in real life.
36:19Are you ready, Matt?
36:20I'm ready.
36:21Let's go.
36:21Okay.
36:23All right, let's crank this baby up.
36:24Go to two.
36:25Go to three.
36:26Keep going.
36:26Where are we?
36:27Keep going.
36:28Now keep in mind, these louvers have never been tested to these sorts of winds.
36:33Matt and I moved back to a safer area to observe the ultimate destruction test.
36:50In the end, we reached 700 kilometres per hour before they reached breaking point.
36:56It's going to go.
36:57It will go this time.
36:59Oh, my God.
37:03Mate, what just happened then?
37:0710,000 old pascals is the highest Ash has ever had his rig go to, so that's the first
37:12product to get that high in it, so that you're pushing close to 700 kilometres an hour plus,
37:18and you saw the result.
37:19The highest wind level ever recorded on the planet is 484 kilometres per hour, and that
37:25was inside a tornado.
37:27So it's safe to say these louvers are almost indestructible.
37:33That was proper.
37:34Mate, well done.
37:35That was done.
37:35Well done.
37:36I told you to hang around and watch it.
37:37Yeah, mate.
37:38That's an extraordinary piece of technology.
37:41Coming up, the ResiCast building experiment that could change everything.
37:46Can you deliver cost effectively, and can you do it at scale?
37:49And finally, Helen and Michael's new homes come home.
37:53I'm so excited.
37:55Woo!
37:55Now, if we're really going to solve the building crisis, then we need volume home builders
38:07to get on board.
38:09Builders like Domain Homes, who build 500 homes a year.
38:13So a few weeks ago, I invited a team from Domain to see Mick's ResiCast concrete system
38:19in action, in the hope that they would take a risk and give it a go.
38:24Very impressive.
38:25Very impressive, yeah.
38:26Awesome.
38:27Today has proven that it's got some potential.
38:29So, yeah, we're going to have a go.
38:30Okay, we can get excited.
38:34It's as exciting as we get, mate.
38:35Domain are trialling the ResiCast building method at Rouths Hill in Sydney's western suburbs.
38:42Matt Campbell is the CEO of Campbell Property Group, who own Domain and Clarendon Homes.
38:49He's also the man who's putting his money where his mouth is.
38:52Here you are breaking ground on your very first ResiCast site.
38:56At the moment, it would appear that the ResiCast solution is a little bit more expensive
39:02than traditional bricks and mortar.
39:03Right.
39:03But time is money.
39:06Yes.
39:06So time is money for both us and our customers.
39:09So I suspect that there's time savings in there.
39:12Yes.
39:13That we'll find out along the way.
39:15That'll give you the advantage.
39:16That'll give us, yeah, it'll mitigate those costs.
39:19Yeah.
39:19The real test for these modern methods of construction is can you deliver cost effectively
39:24and can you do it at scale?
39:26Let's hope for the future of Aussie housing, Domain Homes' trial of Mick's ResiCast system
39:31is a success.
39:33In Canberra, Mick from ResiCast has built Sarah and Sean Quaccini's home in record time.
39:42It's now time for them to join the solar and battery party.
39:46G'day, mate.
39:46Mick.
39:47Hey, how are you, Mick?
39:47How are you?
39:48Good.
39:48What have you got here?
39:49Well, I have REC solar panels.
39:51So if you look very closely, you cannot see any soldering between one cell and another.
39:57Oh, yeah.
39:57So that's a very unique technology that REC developed and that reduces the risk of micro
40:03cracks, which could potentially impact the performance of the panel.
40:06All right.
40:07You want to chuck them up?
40:08Yes.
40:09Let's do it.
40:12Sean and Sarah have designed their future house so that all the solar and power generated
40:17up top is sent to their battery system.
40:20So this is a 40 kilowatt stack, so it comprises of five, eight kilowatt modules.
40:28So you get an inverter on top.
40:30It also comes with a full backup system.
40:31We've got the gateway over there.
40:32So in the case of a blackout, this house will be powered up in less than a millisecond.
40:38The thing we love about it is how flexible it is.
40:40It doesn't take up much space.
40:41We can retrofit it to any system in the market or it's perfect for new installations.
40:45It's just a fantastic product.
40:48And to manage the household energy generation and use, they're also setting up a smart Amber
40:54system to manage their power.
40:56If you're doing the automation with Amber, your bill is actually going to go below zero
41:00and we reckon you're going to be around about two and a half thousand dollars a year in
41:05credit.
41:06Nice.
41:07We can just retire and let the electricity pay the bills.
41:12It makes me really happy to see this system go up because not only are we going to be
41:17able to be off grid anytime we need to be, but we're also producing more than we need
41:22and we can sell that back to the grid and actually make a bit of money off our own home
41:27just through passive income.
41:29So passive house design, passive income, it's a win-win.
41:39After 10 weeks of construction being built at the high-tech factory, the Fox's two modular
41:45homes are complete.
41:46Yep, we run through with our final checks.
41:49Yep, all good.
41:50Time to prepare the finished houses for transportation and delivery.
41:56Any sudden movement could spell disaster.
42:00Not even the ground in the tiles can move.
42:02If it's not done systematically, if it's not done carefully, there's a good chance of it
42:06rocking, dropping, damaging the unit or even coming all the way to the ground.
42:11This is a two-module house.
42:17So whilst this is ready for lifting, the other house is being ready.
42:21Again, same process, put on the wheels and then the forklift will bring it out and then
42:25the next truck will come and start lifting.
42:27Each module weighs eight to nine tonnes and is over three metres wide and ten metres long.
42:39It's also up to four metres in height.
42:44We don't cut corners.
42:46Everything is done very, very precisely.
42:49We do a house a week.
42:52So it's a pretty, it's an exciting, it's really an exciting job that we have here.
42:56Loaded with their precious cargo, the trucks head off at night by escort.
43:08As they begin the slow and steady journey towards their final destination, up the hill to the
43:14Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
43:19Coming up, I check on my little patch of dirt.
43:21Mate, who designed this thing?
43:23Um, some galoot.
43:24But the reality is, there's a long way to go.
43:34In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, it's a momentous occasion for Michael and Helen Fox.
43:43This is so exciting.
43:45Woohoo!
43:46Wow, really good.
43:47They're two brand new modular homes are about to be delivered.
43:57After winding their way through the mountains overnight, the trucks carefully squeeze their
44:03way through the last hundred metres.
44:05Check your clearance.
44:07Come on.
44:08To be delivered to the fox's property.
44:17Oh, it's pretty amazing, isn't it?
44:21Yeah.
44:22Yeah, this is Helen's house.
44:25The first one going on the back of the block.
44:27It's a bit scary when you hoist it up.
44:31You only just miss, misses that pole over there and too stressful for me.
44:37I tell you what.
44:38When you look at those chains that are, you know, coming down from the hook to the spreader
44:43thing there.
44:44Yeah.
44:45Just visualise them snapping.
44:46But I suppose if they've done it before, it must be all right.
45:00The modular home snapped together like enormous Lego bricks.
45:10And all of a sudden, Helen has a house.
45:14Next, it's time for Michael's modular house to be craned in.
45:19It's good, isn't it?
45:20Very nice.
45:30Helen, Michael.
45:33This is a very small token of appreciation.
45:38Thank you so much.
45:39That's all right.
45:40Oh, you're lovely.
45:41Thank you so much.
45:43Michael.
45:43The largest investment that somebody would make is on a house, buying a block of land
45:48and, you know, building or getting a house.
45:51Yes, I do it every day.
45:52And you will see the clients overwhelmed.
45:55That's the pleasure that we as a company derive, okay, helping clients to sort of make it faster
46:01and deliver it and, you know, put it together and get them into their domain as quick as possible.
46:07Fantastic.
46:09Yeah, beautiful, beautiful.
46:12Yeah, look at that.
46:14And you're looking onto the trees.
46:17Hello, trees.
46:18Oh, now they're in place.
46:20The houses look amazing.
46:22They're offset just at the right angle.
46:24You know, we've got privacy between us.
46:27They just look amazing.
46:29They just look fantastic on the block.
46:30And I can just see Caitlin being relaxed and not walking around boxes and, you know, her bedroom
46:36being set up the way she knows it to look like and finally making a life for ourselves
46:41and making it like a home.
46:43In Canberra, Mick's doing his best to help the Quachinis get into their house as soon as possible.
46:54What a great use of recycled concrete.
46:57Ah, beautiful.
47:01Including by lending a hand to the air conditioning installers.
47:08Oh, it's not even heavy.
47:10That's pretty lightweight.
47:11Nice and sleek.
47:12I call it sleek.
47:14My dear air conditioners are well known for being good value, energy efficient and easy to install.
47:21I always want to give it a clean up there and make sure it looks brand new.
47:25All right, I think we're done.
47:30Looking good.
47:34Now, I've been away from the farm for just over a week and I'm super excited to see the progress on site of our new home.
47:42Whoa.
47:43Are you sure it's big enough?
47:44Oh, wow.
47:47You guys have been busy.
47:50Well done, mate.
47:51Nice to see you.
47:51Well done.
47:52This looks enormous, guys.
47:54It's amazing, right?
47:56You can really see it now.
47:57This is kind of breakfast bar, kitchen, laundry over there, lounge room over there.
48:05Look at the sunken lounge room in there.
48:08Mate, I love it.
48:08How many square metres are we talking?
48:11The first pour is 640 square.
48:13Right.
48:14But that's not all interior, right?
48:17No.
48:17Two thirds of that is interior, a third is outside.
48:20That's right.
48:20You've got your little meditation area there.
48:23The outside area, yeah.
48:24And the barbecue area.
48:25Yeah.
48:26Mate, it's feeling really elevated, isn't it?
48:29And the pool finishes out beyond that yellow post.
48:33Really?
48:33Yeah.
48:34Mate, who designed this thing?
48:35Um, some galoot.
48:39But listen, we've broken the back of this.
48:43Yeah, absolutely.
48:44Like, this is a good start.
48:45Absolutely.
48:49Yes, it's a good start.
48:50But the truth is, I'm miles behind the other families, and I may not even get the house finished
48:55on time.
48:57Mick and the Cochinis are already at lock-up, and have started installing appliances.
49:02Rex has delivered and installed the Foxes' two modular homes, and they're actually about
49:08to move in.
49:09So when I put this project up against the other two, I'm nowhere.
49:17In three weeks, I'll have the federal housing minister looking at my house.
49:22And it better not be a patch of dirt.
49:25Next week on Future House, it's all hands on deck as I attempt the impossible.
49:31You guys are amazing.
49:33We reveal the finished three houses, and we take the teams to Parliament House for the
49:41ultimate pitch.
49:42Would you come out and help us judge these homes?
49:45What a request.
49:46Absolutely, Jamie.
49:47Which house will they vote for as the very best future house?
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