- 7 weeks ago
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00:00Australia is in the midst of the biggest housing crisis we've ever had.
00:07We need to build homes faster and more efficiently for all budgets and all Australians.
00:14And that's exactly what Future House is all about.
00:20We're building three houses for three families in just three months.
00:25Using three different budgets and three different modern methods of construction.
00:31My mission with this project? These houses must be stylish, sophisticated and above all, sustainable.
00:39Now we may not solve Australia's housing crisis, but we're going to give this a red-hot go.
00:49So who are the three brave families who are joining us on this mission?
00:53The Fox family from Blue Mountains, New South Wales, are building two modular homes on the same block so they can care for their disabled daughter, Kate.
01:03So here is where Mummy's house is. This is a bit strange, isn't it? Because Mummy's got a house and Daddy's got a house.
01:10It hasn't been without its challenges.
01:12There's definitely a lot of anxiety going on, you know, paying that last instalment.
01:16But in the race to the finish, their two factory-built houses are well on their way.
01:21Then there's the Quichini family from Canberra, who are building a precast concrete home.
01:27Their home made a successful landing, appearing so fast it was as if it had fallen from the sky.
01:34It's all been in theory until this point.
01:36It's a dream come true.
01:37And my family, of course, the Dureys, in the northern rivers of New South Wales.
01:44Our beautiful 3D concrete printed home is going nowhere fast.
01:48DA is going in as we speak, so we're keeping our fingers crossed.
01:52This is impossible.
01:56Tonight, I meet a family who hasn't had an energy bill in years.
02:00So you're actually making money?
02:02Yeah.
02:03From your own battery.
02:04And we'll show you how you can do the same.
02:06Instead of getting charged, we actually make money every year.
02:09The Quichinis power ahead as Sarah takes charge.
02:13Two, and then the fan, and then two.
02:15Time to add some personal touches.
02:18Do you want to put your handprint on them?
02:19Yeah.
02:20That's it. Good girl.
02:22After months of red tape and financial stress, the Foxes get some good news.
02:28Ready to put it on the truck next week and deliver.
02:31Woohoo!
02:32As house day arrives.
02:33Suddenly everything changes.
02:35You've got to start again a new life.
02:39But for me, it seems disaster is still around every corner.
02:44Such a small amount of time, Jamie.
02:46I can't give those ideas oxygen if I can't even get a DA approved.
02:52So I take matters right to the top.
02:54Is Australia the home of red tape?
02:56Red tape's a massive problem.
02:58Despite all the challenges, we're pushing this to the limit.
03:01Keep going, Ash!
03:03Come on!
03:09We're two months into our three month long mission to build the house of the future.
03:14I've come to Canberra to check on how the Quachinis are going with their future house.
03:21Well, I have just driven past the site and it seems there's a house there.
03:28And there wasn't a couple of weeks ago.
03:31Mate!
03:32How are ya?
03:33You've built a house.
03:34Pretty much.
03:35Yeah.
03:36Wow!
03:37She's a decent size, isn't she?
03:38It's a custom 300 square metre home.
03:39It's not your average four bedroom.
03:40Takes up nearly the whole block.
03:41Custom rake, seal and steel.
03:42Yeah.
03:43Mate, I don't think I've ever seen anything go up this quickly.
04:04Yeah.
04:05Mate, I don't think I've ever seen anything go up this quickly.
04:09You've got the roof and the walls and the slab all in place and you're 11 days in.
04:16Correct.
04:17It's incredible.
04:18It's a good way to build, isn't it?
04:20Oh, mate.
04:21Mate.
04:22After years of planning and months of red tape and heartache for Sean and Sarah, the
04:27speed with which their house has gone up is certainly welcome news.
04:31You've got a house.
04:32Yeah, we do.
04:33Look at this.
04:34The last time I was here, it was just garden.
04:37Yes.
04:38The progress in the timeframe is just phenomenal.
04:40It just went up so fast.
04:43It's just really lovely and exciting to see because you can finally get to see it in three
04:48dimensions.
04:49It's not just a picture on the paper that you've had in your head for a long time.
04:53This is actually how it's going to feel.
04:55A bit steeper than it was last time.
04:58It is a little bit steeper.
04:59Because your house seems to have sunk.
05:01Yes.
05:02Just a little.
05:03A little bit.
05:04You're going to be entering right about here.
05:05Yeah.
05:06Walking straight in.
05:07The ACT's solar encroachment rules resulted in the Quachinis having to lower the level
05:11of their house and cop an additional 31k in excavation costs.
05:18Which means that their new home is sitting in a big costly hole.
05:23Well, I've got to say, I quite like it because it really feels like it's invested into the landscape now.
05:30Yeah, I quite like it too actually.
05:32Yeah.
05:33And actually what's happened now that the house is low is you're looking straight at the garden
05:38instead of staring at everyone on the street.
05:40Yes.
05:41Um, now what's this room?
05:44This is going to be the gym.
05:46The gym?
05:47Yeah.
05:48So bougie.
05:49One of the big things about our design was having a place that we could just take care
05:53of ourselves.
05:54Because we've always been living in small spaces with everyone on top of each other.
05:57Yeah.
05:58And I do a lot of physio and a lot of rehab because of injuries.
06:01Yep.
06:02Sarah, it's right.
06:03I can't get to the gym.
06:04Yeah, we can't get to the gym.
06:05It's impossible, isn't it?
06:06Since I've had kids, I've put on five kilos.
06:09Only five.
06:10Only five, mate.
06:11Yes.
06:12Thanks so much.
06:13Thanks so much.
06:15This is the kids' playroom.
06:16Oh yeah, great.
06:17Nice access into the garden.
06:19These are kids' bedrooms.
06:20Yep.
06:21One, two, three.
06:22Yep.
06:23Their space is right next to them.
06:24They can easily just walk straight out and play in the garden.
06:27And then the parents are at the front of the house.
06:29Yes.
06:30Guarding the family.
06:31Yes.
06:32And this is your big, lofty, northern outlook.
06:36That's our northern aspect.
06:37That sucks in all that beautiful winter sun.
06:39Yes.
06:40So good.
06:41Yeah.
06:42It's nice to actually see it and be like, yes, this is great.
06:45This is, you know, what we wanted.
06:47It's just all happening faster than, I knew it would be quick, but it's all just happened
06:52very, very quick.
06:53Safe to say you'll definitely be in well before Christmas.
06:57Yes.
06:58Would you like to hear how mine's going?
06:59Yes.
07:00Yes, please.
07:01We haven't even laid the slab yet.
07:04Yeah.
07:05Yeah.
07:06I know.
07:07I know.
07:08I know.
07:09I know you find that hilarious.
07:11Once the slab goes in.
07:12Yeah.
07:13All the rest of the components will be 3D printed.
07:17At least, that's what I hope.
07:18In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Michael and Helen's vacant block is being prepped
07:27for the arrival of their twin modular homes.
07:30In terms of site works per se, like a traditional builder, there's very little work that we have
07:37to do for site works or hardly any.
07:40That's because the houses are completely finished in the factory and then loaded onto trucks and delivered.
07:47Both Fox homes are at the eight week mark and they're almost complete.
07:52The only thing left is to drop it in on site.
07:55By end of this week, we would have had all of the, what we call, finish offs and fit offs, everything completed.
08:01And then soon after that, it'll be rocking up for installation.
08:05Hello.
08:06Hi, Rex.
08:07Hello.
08:08How are you?
08:09Your favourite person.
08:10Really, really nice to see you.
08:11Your house has come leaps and bounds.
08:12We are pretty much ready to put it on the truck and deliver.
08:13Woohoo!
08:14Okay, I'm going to show you, I'm going to flip the camera around.
08:29Okay.
08:30It's still painting underway.
08:31Almost done, Sunny.
08:32Almost done.
08:33All your bench top, torn bench tops, but they are non-carcinogenic, obviously no silica.
08:39Wow.
08:40So it's been cut already.
08:41Fantastic.
08:42And my sink is in.
08:43Oh my gosh.
08:44Look at that.
08:45Looks so good.
08:46Beautiful.
08:47I love it.
08:48Love it.
08:49Love it.
08:50Love the cabinetry.
08:51It's beautiful.
08:52Your tiling is done.
08:53My tiles.
08:54Oh, it's gorgeous.
08:55No, it's beautiful workmanship.
08:58Thank you, Helen.
08:59Thank you, Michael.
09:00It's a great pleasure.
09:03While the Quichinis from Canberra and the Foxes from the Blue Mountains have both made spectacular
09:08progress building their homes, I'm stuck in limbo, waiting for my development application
09:15to be approved.
09:17We're battling the clock and time is our enemy.
09:21Even my builders are losing confidence.
09:23I think it's just like such a small amount of time, Jamie, you know.
09:26I know it's crazy, but I just want to give it a red hot go.
09:31The hard facts are putting DAs in is a punish.
09:35It's slow.
09:36It's laborious.
09:37I need to ramp this up if we're going to get this thing built.
09:40Well, we're off to the town planner's office.
09:47Weeks are slipping by and I've still got nothing from council.
09:54Not even a notice.
09:57I'm not just worried.
09:58I'm up at night.
10:00Not just for the show, but for the family.
10:04I promised Amika I wouldn't put her through it all again and here we are again.
10:13Things have been stalling and I'm not going to hit this deadline.
10:18I mean, my whole life's hanging on this.
10:23It's not just my family and I.
10:25It's a whole bunch of really fantastic motivated partners
10:32who are doing inspirational things in the sustainability space.
10:36But I can't give those ideas oxygen if I can't even get a DA approved.
10:42Well, we're off to the town planner's office.
10:57Weeks are slipping by and I've still got nothing from council.
11:02I mean, my whole life's hanging on this.
11:05Okay, there might be some light at the end of this tunnel.
11:14I just had a great meeting with the planners.
11:17NDC planners here in Lismore are bending over backwards to help me, which is great.
11:22I explained to them that it'll be an off-grid situation.
11:26It's the second 3D printed house in Australia.
11:29So this is really making history.
11:31We're really doing a lot of innovative stuff.
11:33So hopefully with that in mind and a decent letter, we might be able to get this over the line
11:41and get it built before the deadline.
11:46Two fingers crossed.
11:48Please.
11:50That's one bit of good news.
11:52But now I've got another hurdle to overcome.
11:55Will my 3D print actually work?
12:01A few weeks ago, I was left devastated when the first test print of a concrete column for our dream 3D printed future house crumbled before my very eyes.
12:14Since then, there's been several more failures.
12:21What was the problem?
12:22The two accelerators that we used weren't actually mixed together properly.
12:25Okay.
12:29Now, I'm back again for one last test.
12:32Wow.
12:34We're getting there.
12:35Mate, this is...
12:36This is...
12:37This could...
12:38This might actually happen.
12:39So if we can't make this work, I think I'll book a ticket overseas and I'll never see Jamie ever again.
12:47So...
12:48The whole job is relying on...
12:50Obviously, we're printing the structure here.
12:52We're on our fourth test in the last sort of 10 minutes, but we're dialing it in.
12:58I'm putting on a brave face, but to be honest, my confidence is shaken.
13:03If this column doesn't get to three metres, we don't have a house.
13:09You got your 11 secret herbs and spices?
13:11We do.
13:12But we're accelerating this mix right at the head.
13:14So in here, we're pumping in a liquid-based accelerant.
13:17Right.
13:18Just so that it'll cure, so it can take the next layer on top.
13:21We've got a 38-second lap time at the moment.
13:23Okay.
13:24But look, as we dial it in, we'll get down to about a 20-second lap time, I imagine.
13:27Yeah.
13:28So we're getting there.
13:29We're gonna get there.
13:30We have to get there.
13:31Bugger all this technical stuff.
13:33I just want to get it to three metres, or about three times my height.
13:38Look, we're doing a hell of a lot of testing now, and we haven't got long to get it right,
13:42because this is a brand new printhead.
13:44It's a brand new sort of methodology for us to be able to print vertically in one go very fast.
13:49We've got two more layers left.
14:02It's about three metres high, pushing to 3.1, so I'm confident, semi-confident.
14:06Mate, you did it.
14:07We did.
14:08You did it.
14:09Finally.
14:10I won't tell you I was concerned.
14:13Satisfaction.
14:14Absolutely.
14:15Only another 32 to go.
14:16That's true, actually.
14:17Yeah.
14:18In Canberra, the Cochini's new precast concrete home has come a long way.
14:35It's a bit different with the roof on, isn't it?
14:37It is different with the roof on.
14:38It's sort of...
14:39And it's cooler in here too now, obviously.
14:41Yeah.
14:42With the ResiCast process, once the walls come in, the house is built just like any other
14:47house.
14:48So it's another big day for owner Sarah and builder Mick, as the electricals and plumbing
14:54are being roughed in.
14:55Well, it's good to have the boss on site really now.
14:57Yeah, it is.
14:58Yeah.
14:59The other fella talks too much, just saying.
15:02I can sleep.
15:03Yes.
15:04So he should be right.
15:05And like all mums with young kids, Sarah doesn't have time to muck around.
15:10So with lights, so we've got one over the lounge area and one over the dining.
15:15Yep.
15:16And then we also, we're going to get some down lights.
15:17Yeah.
15:18Two and then the fan and then two.
15:20Right.
15:21One, two.
15:22Yep.
15:23The fridge and the ovens are next to the fridge.
15:24Both two ovens, one above the other.
15:25Yep.
15:26We're going to get a robot vacuum.
15:27So that has been a dream for a while.
15:30I'm optimistic all the toys will stay in the playroom.
15:32Ah, yes.
15:33Never happens.
15:36So there's the shower.
15:37Yep.
15:38Which I've sort of marked out.
15:39That's roughly where you've asked.
15:40Yes.
15:41We're going to put niches in now.
15:42Oh.
15:43Instead of.
15:44Well, dude, what's going to have a shelf?
15:46They're already tied on space.
15:47Is that where the niches go?
15:49Glad I was here to sort out a few tiling things.
15:52That I thought about but didn't actually tell anyone.
15:56Oh.
15:57I know I'm a pain.
15:59Should have sent Sean here instead.
16:01Yeah.
16:04One long though.
16:05Oh, a bit longer?
16:06A bit longer.
16:07I have a lot of things.
16:10Because I'll be sitting with my head at that end.
16:13Yeah.
16:14Yeah.
16:15Sitting in the bath with my wine.
16:16This is actually Sarah time.
16:17It is.
16:18Mick may have built the house.
16:20But it's clear who's in charge now.
16:22Lock all the doors.
16:23Sit in the bath.
16:24Now the kids will be down there.
16:25So I won't be able to hear them screaming.
16:26I'll just be in my little oasis down here.
16:30Hello.
16:31I'm waking up.
16:32Or is she?
16:33Oh, we're going to be cranky.
16:35Yeah, we're cranky.
16:36Our time in the Northern Rivers on the farm with the kids and my beautiful Amika is just
16:49idyllic.
16:50The fresh air, the rolling hills and the farm animals.
16:54There's only one thing missing in my hashtag farm life.
16:58Something every fair dinkum farmer needs.
17:06It's full range.
17:09That's a lot of tractors.
17:11We have 30 different categories.
17:13Yeah.
17:14And over 100 different models.
17:16Sold about 35,000 different machines.
17:20Wow.
17:21Turns out buying a tractor is a little trickier than I thought.
17:25Fortunately, I've got my mate Dazza on hand to guide me through Tractor 101.
17:31Mate, this is amazing.
17:32This is what you need in a paddock.
17:34Wow.
17:35Tinted glass.
17:38Oh.
17:39Air conditioned.
17:40Australia.
17:41Wow.
17:42Who's going to be teaching me?
17:44Unfortunately, me.
17:49Farm life, here we come.
17:52Woo-hoo!
17:56I've got a new toy for the farm and it's safe to say it's my favourite toy.
18:03I can dig anywhere I like.
18:04I can plant.
18:05I can tow.
18:06I can trench.
18:07I can do anything with this thing.
18:08It's amazing.
18:09What are you doing?
18:10What are you doing?
18:11I thought this would be great.
18:12Us working side by side.
18:13This is a dream come true mate.
18:15Not familiar, is it?
18:16Not familiar, is it?
18:17Ha-ha-ha-ha.
18:18Watch this, you ready?
18:22Jump in the low.
18:23Ha-ha-ha-ha.
18:24I think he should stick to his day job.
18:25But maybe just do this one day on the weekends.
18:26Oh my gosh.
18:27This is a dream come true mate.
18:28Not familiar, is it?
18:29Ha-ha-ha-ha.
18:30Watch this, you ready?
18:32Jump in the low.
18:33Ha-ha-ha-ha.
18:34I think he should stick to his day job.
18:48But maybe just do this one day on the weekends.
18:53Oh my gosh.
18:55Now I'm all about healthy, sustainable homes.
19:01And the Quachinis are getting a new system that brings new meaning to fresh air.
19:06Today we're putting in a HRV system.
19:09Yep.
19:10It's a heat recovery ventilation system basically.
19:12What's the system designed to do?
19:13So basically what we're going to do here is we exchange all the entire air of the house.
19:18Yep.
19:19In two hour cycles or three hour cycles.
19:21You don't have to open any windows, any doors anymore.
19:23Ah.
19:24You can keep them shut.
19:25Yep.
19:26And you get constantly fresh air.
19:28To prevent mould and moisture build up in the homes.
19:30Yep.
19:31You need actually a ventilation system.
19:33For a healthy home basically.
19:34Pretty much.
19:40The Quachinis are setting up a happy, healthy home.
19:43However, the Australian building landscape is anything but.
19:47Amidst a housing crisis, building a house in Australia is too hard, too slow and simply
19:53too expensive.
19:54So I'm going to the top to find out what can be done about this.
19:59Well here we are at Parliament House.
20:01I'm in the courtyard and we're about to meet the Minister for Housing, Minister O'Neill.
20:08Now what Minister Claire O'Neill doesn't know is that I'm going to ask her for a bit of a favour.
20:14Thank you so much for making time for us today because you have a big job on your hands.
20:19That's absolutely right Jamie.
20:20We've got in Australia today millions of people who are in some form of housing distress.
20:26The Federal Government's got a goal of trying to build 1.2 million homes in five years.
20:31But we're not going to get there unless we see more innovation in housing.
20:35We are building homes in Australia basically the same way that we were 40 years ago.
20:39And if we're going to build faster we need that to change.
20:42So what are we doing about making the practice of building your own home more affordable and more simple?
20:50Well one of the main things that we can do is support innovation in housing.
20:54So we'd like to see builders trying new ways of doing things.
20:57And we know that the evidence overseas shows us that we actually can build homes a lot faster and a lot more efficiently.
21:03So on our project we're looking at tilt slab construction where you can have a house to lock up in ten days.
21:10Oh my gosh.
21:11However the council restrictions took them four to six months.
21:17Is Australia the home of red tape?
21:20Red tape's a massive problem.
21:21I spend a lot of time talking to builders and they say to me you know Claire the hard part used to be actually building the house.
21:27Now it's working through that thicket of red tape that lies in the path of them just laying that first brick.
21:32One of the challenges is that we've got three levels of government in Australia and for that 40 year period all those three levels of government have just been adding on new layers of red tape and regulation.
21:43Now for that favour I was talking about.
21:46Claire we're lucky enough to have the Green Building Council of Australia as one of our judges.
21:51As we judge these three different modern methods of construction we would love it if you would come out and help us judge these new homes.
21:59Absolutely Jamie.
22:00You had me in a low.
22:01Oh yeah that would be great.
22:03Coming up the big call I've been waiting for.
22:08But is it good news?
22:10Did you speak with council?
22:12Amazing.
22:13And?
22:14And the foxes homes hit the road.
22:17It's really an exciting job that we have here.
22:27On our farm in the Northern Rivers the warmer weather means everything is suddenly bursting into life.
22:33Everything except for one small thing.
22:36Our 3D printed house.
22:38Damien.
22:39Yes mate.
22:40Yes.
22:41Yes.
22:42Did you speak with council?
22:43Amazing.
22:44And?
22:45Yes.
22:46Ha!
22:47We got approval.
22:48Oh mate that's the best news I've had in years.
22:51It's incredible.
22:52Thank you so much for letting me know.
22:54Cheers.
22:56Yes.
22:57Ha!
22:58Ha!
22:59We got approval.
23:00Oh mate that's the best news I've had in years.
23:03You.
23:04It's incredible.
23:05Thank you so much for letting me know.
23:07Cheers.
23:09Yes!
23:10We got approval.
23:11I cannot believe this.
23:13That has to be an absolute record.
23:17So Byron Shire Council said that they wanted to work with us because we were building something
23:24that was meaningful, sustainable, something that hopefully may spark a bit of change and
23:30they've done it.
23:31They've pulled it off.
23:38In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales the foxes share the same determination to bring
23:43their future houses to life.
23:46Not even a blast of cold and wet can stop the final preparations for the delivery of
23:50their two modular homes.
23:54Water mains are being connected.
23:56Thank you sir.
23:58And the hole's dug for the piers on which the modular homes will rest.
24:04So right now we're just drilling this second module and we're just going a bit slower
24:09now because there's all these big tree roots.
24:13Yeah, this is a big job.
24:23It's all happening quickly now it's got to this stage.
24:26The modules when they arrive will be craned into position and fixed into the concrete footings.
24:33Leaving the comfort of our nice rental home, it's exciting but it's, you know, a bit of fear too.
24:39Suddenly everything changes, you've got to start again a new life and it should be good, it should be good.
24:48I'm sure we'll be happy once we get in there and, you know, yeah, once we get rid of the drama of moving.
24:55It's my firm belief that every house in Australia should have a solar and battery solution.
25:04You might remember last week that we helped sort out the Foxes solar system.
25:09What we're going to do for you guys is supply and install 10 to 15 kilowatt of solar per house.
25:15Now I know that some of you may need a little more convincing or information on the benefits of a solar and battery solution.
25:24But what if I told you it's possible to never pay an energy bill again?
25:29And on top of that, you can even make money.
25:32Well, I'm about to meet a family who I'm told has done exactly that.
25:38You got rid of your old energy retailer and swapped and moved over to Amber.
25:43These guys are the new energy market disruptors.
25:47In essence, their software runs your electricity supply.
25:51You don't really have to think about it.
25:53Every day, there's two peaks of power in Australia.
25:56Electricity becomes expensive when everyone gets home from work.
25:59Yes. And first thing in the morning.
26:00Yes.
26:01Your solar system's got a battery.
26:02You store that energy in your battery.
26:04And then when the peak price happens, they launch any extra power you've got in your battery
26:09that you're not using in your house.
26:11They sell it back to the grid at the peak price.
26:13And if you make any money between those two levels, they pass those profits back to you?
26:19Correct.
26:20That's our current bill for Amber.
26:24You're in credit?
26:25Yeah, for $2,300.
26:26Instead of getting charged, we actually make money every year.
26:29You are a future house.
26:31Yeah, we're living in the future.
26:34Installing solar and batteries isn't just good for the environment.
26:39It's also good for your hip pocket.
26:41But it does take a little upfront investment.
26:44Well, there's a brand new tool that can help you improve your home's energy efficiency
26:49and even help you finance it.
26:51CommBank has developed the Home Energy Assessment Tool provided by Home Energy Australia.
26:56By simply entering your address into the online tool, it calculates the energy efficiency
27:02of your house and provides options on how you can improve it, including adding a solar system
27:09and batteries.
27:10Hey, let's see how this thing works.
27:11Yeah?
27:12Sure.
27:13Good.
27:14So it's pulling in all sorts of public information, including aerial photos.
27:19And there we have it.
27:21It's low.
27:22That doesn't look good.
27:23That is very low.
27:24So it's a 3.9 out of 10, rather average.
27:27As you scroll down, you can see it provides you some suggestions around what you can do
27:32to upgrade.
27:33An obvious one is solar.
27:34And you can see here it actually helps you understand how much you might save after that
27:38upgrade.
27:39It even tells you how much it'll cost to install your solar panels.
27:42And if you scroll down here, it actually tells you what you might be eligible for in
27:46rebates.
27:47So let's say you want to go ahead with it.
27:48Yeah.
27:49It'll connect you to local installers.
27:51And if you need finance, CommBank has a range of financing options off the back of
27:55it.
27:56So CommBank will actually finance your solar system if you need to?
27:59Yep.
28:00Absolutely.
28:01I love this.
28:02These upgrades we will offer finance on.
28:03And if you are a CommBank home loan customer, it is an incredibly competitive rate.
28:08So why isn't everyone in Australia doing this?
28:10Well, we're hoping with tools like this that take the hassle out of it, more people do.
28:14Now I wouldn't recommend anything without testing it myself.
28:20So this is the spot, which is why I'm putting in the mother of all solar farms on my farm.
28:27What we're going to be doing is a ground-mount system.
28:30It's going to sit on a frame, take up roughly 70 square metres.
28:34We're going to be facing about this way here.
28:36Towards that tree right there basically is your perfect north.
28:39We have three separate arrays.
28:43Yep.
28:44Each 10 kilowatt.
28:45And that'll total our 30 kilowatt system.
28:48So this is the sun path moving relative to the array.
28:52Wow.
28:53We're going to have 30 kilowatt of solar panels.
28:55That'll supply the home and supply the big battery bank that we've got being installed.
28:5996 kilowatt.
29:00Well, that's about three times the size of an average home solar panel system.
29:05And six times the amount of battery storage.
29:08I hope I'm not getting too carried away here.
29:11So you'll be running completely off the grid.
29:13No bill, no reliance on the electricity retailers.
29:16And in fact, because you'd pair up with Amber Electric as your retailer.
29:20Yes.
29:21Trade wholesale prices.
29:22Yes.
29:23You'll be in credit year round by a significant amount.
29:25So I'll have a holiday fund as well.
29:27You'll have a holiday fund.
29:30That's incredible, man.
29:31Exactly.
29:32Well, now that our DA's been approved, it's time to take a few more things up to the farm.
29:42Hey, kids.
29:43We're going to pack some toys for the farm.
29:46Well, today is move day.
29:49And I feel like I'm getting deja vu all over again.
29:52Okay.
29:53That's one down.
29:55Oh.
29:56Meeks, the grace truck is here.
30:02Yes.
30:03This is it.
30:04We're going to the farm.
30:07All of this insulation.
30:09Yep.
30:10That's going to go to the farm.
30:12We've got our hybrid vehicles.
30:14The first removal company in Australia to have fully electric trucks.
30:17So we're pretty proud of that.
30:19For longer distance removals, Grace also offers a train service, which is exactly what we're
30:25using.
30:2690% of the items we're sending in to save it through the rail network.
30:29So it's actually less carbon intensive to send it by train than truck.
30:33About 40% less carbon emissions by doing it through the rail network.
30:37Wow.
30:39Beds, obviously, got to go.
30:41Kids, toys.
30:42Yeah, the crew will pull this apart.
30:43When we deliver, we put it all back together for you and put it in place as well.
30:46Oh my gosh.
30:47So you don't have to worry about that.
30:48That's dreamy.
30:49This was, yes, I don't envy the person putting this back together.
30:52It's not my forte.
30:53No, that's why we hire Grace.
30:55That's why we get Grace.
30:56Exactly.
30:57Yay!
30:58So good.
30:59Coming up.
31:00Problem solved.
31:01Mick gets the final piece of the puzzle in the race to lock up.
31:14Very exciting.
31:15And we put my windows to the ultimate test.
31:18We've got 500 kilometres an hour.
31:19Whoa!
31:20F***!
31:21In Canberra, at the Quichini's new precast concrete house, it's a big day.
31:37Just got to look for it.
31:38Oh!
31:39Bloody hell.
31:40Only just learning to walk.
31:43And builder Mick's pumped.
31:44Because the final piece of the puzzle he's been waiting for is due to arrive.
31:50Put the windows in today and finally get a lock up payment, which is good.
31:54So it becomes cash flow positive today.
31:57So very excited about that.
31:58Now when it comes to lock up, Mick made some big promises.
32:02You're not telling any jokes.
32:03No.
32:04We're going to lock the four beddy up for Sean and Sarah and the kids in 10 days.
32:08Due to factors out of Mick's control, it's ended up taking 17 days to get to lock up.
32:14But somehow, Mick still managed to keep the build on schedule.
32:19Overall timeframe, we're not bad.
32:21We're still pretty much on track.
32:23We're just not at lock up, but we're past lock up in other places.
32:28Oh.
32:29Interim, like all the internal frames have gone up.
32:31To keep the build on track, Mick needs to get the windows installed today.
32:37So it's a big day today.
32:39No.
32:46The other issue too is insulation's been booked in today because chip rock is on Monday.
32:51So, you know, we're going to be climbing over each other, which isn't ideal either.
32:57So it's going to be a fair bit of people management today.
33:00Fortunately, as a former Rodeo clown, Mick's an old hand at negotiating tricky situations.
33:07What's the trouble?
33:09Not sure what the problem is, Al.
33:14Something about a big door's got to go outside, but the scaffold's there.
33:17So we'll go down and check it out, I think.
33:19Mick?
33:20Yes.
33:21Can we remove that noggin?
33:22A hundred percent.
33:23Let's do it.
33:26Problem solved.
33:31All happening.
33:32These are thermal broken windows, double glazed.
33:42So really good between the precast to being spot on to the millimetre.
33:46There's no gap there, which is unreal.
33:48You know, that's what we're after.
33:50It's another couple of hours and we should have them all in.
33:54And Sean and Sarah will have a locked up home.
33:57It's very exciting.
33:59Hello, Sarah.
34:00How are you?
34:01Good.
34:02How are you?
34:03Good.
34:04Very exciting day.
34:06Now when it comes to energy efficient design, these windows are simply the best in class.
34:12We all know about double glazing, but now there's thermally broken windows.
34:17It's new technology that makes windows even more energy efficient.
34:21So what thermally broken does is actually stops that heat transfer or cold transfer and then
34:26keeps your house inside perfect.
34:28You've got the best glass and the best aluminium products you can on the market for this kind
34:33of climate and these bills.
34:34With the windows in, the Quichini's house is at locker.
34:38And all that's needed now is the final stamp of approval.
34:43Do you like the windows?
34:45Do you want to put your handprint on them?
34:46Yeah.
34:47Feel the windows.
34:48That's it.
34:49Rub it on.
34:50Rub it on.
34:51Go on.
34:52That's it.
34:53Good girl.
34:54Oh, look at that, eh?
34:55All your handprints.
34:56Good girl.
34:57Hello, beautiful girl.
34:59Very good.
35:00Do you like them?
35:01Good job.
35:02Very happy.
35:03Yeah.
35:05They're so good.
35:08Dowl windows in partnership with Ventus are doing some incredible things.
35:12Remember grandma's old house with the classic 1950s louvers?
35:17Well, they've come a long way.
35:19Dowl and Ventus have reinvented the louver, which means they've developed one of Australia's
35:24first twin blade louvers that not only increases your home's energy efficiency, but also its
35:32acoustic performance.
35:34And I'm lucky enough to be using them in my design.
35:37But first they have to be put to the test.
35:40This is a world first.
35:42I don't think we've ever had a double glazed louver in the history of Australian building,
35:47have we?
35:48Not a dual blade louver.
35:49No, definitely not.
35:50Wow.
35:51So the difference being a dual blade versus a double glazed, the aesthetics and the clear
35:54view you're going to get through it instead of a prison bar look.
35:56Are you really going to blow this window up?
35:58We're going to blow it up.
35:59We're going to turn it up to three, four hundred kilometres an hour.
36:01It's going to explode with positive pressure, which is pushing on the window.
36:04Wow.
36:05So we want cyclone conditions.
36:07We want heavy rains.
36:08We want rain coming in sideways to see if it'll get through the louvers.
36:12We want heat.
36:13We want cold.
36:14We want everything, right?
36:15Smoke the whole lot.
36:16The objective of this test is to push the windows literally to their breaking point beyond
36:21what they'd ever experienced in real life.
36:24Are you ready, Matt?
36:25I'm ready.
36:26Let's go.
36:27Okay.
36:28All right, let's crank this baby up.
36:29Go to two.
36:30Go to three.
36:31Keep going.
36:32Where are we?
36:33Keep going.
36:34Now keep in mind, these louvers have never been tested to these sorts of winds.
36:38We've got to push up to 450 k's.
36:41You can hear it screaming.
36:42I can see it.
36:43Flex it.
36:44Keep going Ash.
36:45So how many kilometres?
36:47500 kilometres an hour.
36:49Matt and I moved back to a safer area to observe the ultimate destruction test.
36:55In the end, we reached 700 kilometres per hour before they reached breaking point.
37:00It's going to go.
37:01It will go this time.
37:03Oh!
37:04Oh my God!
37:08Mate, what just happened then?
37:1110,000 old pascals.
37:12It's the highest Ash has ever had his rig go to.
37:16So that's the first product to get that high in it.
37:18So that you're pushing close to 700 kilometres an hour plus and you saw the result.
37:24The highest wind level ever recorded on the planet is 484 kilometres per hour.
37:29And that was inside a tornado.
37:31So it's safe to say these louvers are almost indestructible.
37:38That was proper.
37:39Mate, well done.
37:40Well done.
37:41I told you to hang around and watch it.
37:42Yeah mate, that's an extraordinary piece of technology.
37:45Coming up, the ResiCast building experiment that could change everything.
37:51Can you deliver cost effectively?
37:53And can you do it at scale?
37:54And finally, Helen and Michael's new homes come home.
37:58It's so exciting.
37:59Woo!
38:00Now if we're really going to solve the building crisis, then we need volume home builders to
38:12get on board.
38:13Builders like Domain Homes, who build 500 homes a year.
38:18So a few weeks ago I invited a team from Domain to see mixed ResiCast concrete system in action
38:25in the hope that they would take a risk and give it a go.
38:29Very impressive.
38:30Very impressive, yeah.
38:31Awesome.
38:32Today has proven that it's got some potential.
38:34So yeah, we're going to have a go.
38:35Okay boys, you can get excited.
38:37I'm as excited as we get, mate.
38:40Domain are trialling the ResiCast building method at Rouse Hill in Sydney's western suburbs.
38:47Matt Campbell is the CEO of Campbell Property Group, who own Domain and Clarendon Homes.
38:54He's also the man who's putting his money where his mouth is.
38:57Here you are breaking ground on your very first ResiCast site.
39:02At the moment it would appear that the ResiCast solution is a little bit more expensive than
39:07traditional bricks and mortar.
39:08Right.
39:09But time is money.
39:10Yes.
39:11So time is money for both us and our customers.
39:14So I suspect that there's time savings in there.
39:17Yes.
39:18That we'll find out along the way.
39:20That'll give you the advantage.
39:21That'll mitigate those costs.
39:23Yeah.
39:24The real test for these modern methods of construction is can you deliver cost effectively
39:29and can you do it at scale.
39:30Let's hope for the future of Aussie housing, Domain Homes' trial of Mick's ResiCast system
39:36is a success.
39:41In Canberra, Mick from ResiCast has built Sarah and Sean Quichini's home in record time.
39:47It's now time for them to join the solar and battery party.
39:50G'day, mate.
39:51Mick.
39:52Hey, how are you, Mick?
39:53How are you?
39:54Good.
39:55What have you got here?
39:56Well, I have REC solar panels.
39:57So if you look very closely you cannot see any soldering between one cell and another.
40:01Oh, yeah.
40:02So that's a very unique technology that REC developed and that reduces the risk of micro
40:08cracks which could potentially impact the performance of the panel.
40:11All right.
40:12You want to chuck them up?
40:13Yes.
40:14Let's do it.
40:17Sean and Sarah have designed their future house so that all the solar and power generated
40:22up top is sent to their battery system.
40:25So this is a 40 kilowatt stack.
40:30So it comprises of five 8 kilowatt modules.
40:32So you get a inverter on top.
40:34It also comes with a full backup system.
40:36We've got the gateway over there.
40:38So in the case of a blackout, this house will be powered up in less than a millisecond.
40:42The thing we love about it is how flexible it is.
40:44It doesn't take up much space.
40:46We can retrofit it to any system in the market or it's perfect for new installations.
40:50It's just a fantastic product.
40:52And to manage the household energy generation and use, they're also setting up a smart Amber
40:59system to manage their power.
41:01If you're doing the automation with Amber, your bill is actually going to go below zero.
41:05And we reckon you're going to be around about $2,500 a year in credit.
41:11Nice.
41:12We can just retire and let the electricity pay the bills.
41:17It makes me really happy to see this system go up because not only are we going to be able
41:22to be off grid anytime we need to be, but we're also producing more than we need and
41:27we can sell that back to the grid and actually make a bit of money off our own home just through
41:33passive income.
41:34So passive house design, passive income, it's a win-win.
41:44After 10 weeks of construction being built at the high-tech factory, the Fox's two modular
41:49homes are complete.
41:51Yep, we run through with our final checks.
41:54Yep, all good.
41:55Time to prepare the finished houses for transportation and delivery.
42:01Any sudden movement could spell disaster.
42:04Not even the ground in the tiles can move.
42:07If it's not done systematically, if it's not done carefully, there's a good chance of it
42:11rocking, dropping, damaging the unit or even coming all the way to the ground.
42:16This is a two-module house.
42:21So whilst this is ready for lifting, the other house is being ready.
42:26Again, same process, put on the wheels and then the forklift will bring it out and then
42:30the next truck will come and start lifting.
42:36Each module weighs eight to nine tonnes and is over three metres wide and ten metres long.
42:46It's also up to four metres in height.
42:49We don't cut corners.
42:51Everything is done very, very precisely.
42:54We do a house a week.
42:56So it's a pretty, it's an exciting, it's really an exciting job that we have here.
43:05Loaded with their precious cargo, the trucks head off at night by escort.
43:10As they begin the slow and steady journey towards their final destination, up the hill to the
43:19Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
43:23Coming up, I check on my little patch of dirt.
43:26Mate, who designed this thing?
43:27Um, some galoot.
43:29But the reality is, there's a long way to go.
43:41In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, it's a momentous occasion for Michael and Helen Fox.
43:48It's so exciting.
43:49Woo-hoo!
43:50Yeah, I feel good.
43:56Their two brand new modular homes are about to be delivered.
44:02After winding their way through the mountains overnight, the trucks carefully squeeze their
44:07way through the last hundred metres.
44:10Check your clearance.
44:11Come on.
44:12To be delivered to the fox's property.
44:17Oh, it's pretty amazing, isn't it?
44:24Yeah.
44:25Yeah, this is Helen's house.
44:28The first one going on the back of the block.
44:31A bit scary when you hoist it up.
44:32You only just miss, misses that pole over there, and too stressful for me.
44:41Tell you what.
44:43When you look at those chains that are, you know, coming down from the hook to the spreader
44:47thing there.
44:48Yeah.
44:49You just visualise them snapping.
44:54Well, I suppose they've done it before.
44:56It must be all right.
45:01The modular home snapped together like enormous Lego bricks.
45:15And all of a sudden, Helen has a house.
45:20Next, it's time for Michael's modular house to be craned in.
45:24It's good, isn't it?
45:25Very nice.
45:31Helen, Michael, this is a very small token of appreciation.
45:41Oh, no.
45:42Very nice.
45:43Thank you so much.
45:44That's all. Thank you.
45:45You're lovely. Thank you so much.
45:47Michael, thank you.
45:48The largest investment that somebody would make is on a house.
45:52Buying a block of land and building a house.
45:55Yes, I do it every day.
45:57And you will see the clients who are overwhelmed.
46:00That's the pleasure that we as a company derive.
46:03Okay.
46:04Helping clients to sort of make it faster and deliver it and, you know, put it together
46:08and get them into their domain as quick as possible.
46:14Fantastic.
46:15Yeah.
46:16Beautiful, beautiful.
46:17Yay.
46:18Look at that.
46:19And you're looking onto the trees.
46:22Hello, trees.
46:23Oh, now they're in place.
46:24The houses look amazing.
46:26They're offset just at the right angle.
46:29You know, we've got privacy between us.
46:32They just look amazing.
46:33They just look fantastic on the block.
46:35And I can just see Caitlin being relaxed and not walking around boxes and, you know,
46:40her bedroom being set up the way she knows it to look like.
46:43And finally making a life for ourselves and making it like a home.
46:53And Canberra, Mick's doing his best to help the Quachinis get into their house as soon as possible.
46:59What a great use of recycled concrete.
47:01Ah, beautiful.
47:06Including by lending a hand to the air conditioning installers.
47:09Oh.
47:10Oh, it's not even heavy.
47:11It's pretty lightweight.
47:12Nice and sleek, I call it.
47:13Sleek.
47:14My dear air conditioners are well-known for being good value, energy efficient, and easy
47:24to install.
47:25I always want to give it a clean at the end and make sure it looks brand new.
47:30All right, I think we're done.
47:35Looking good.
47:36Now, I've been away from the farm for just over a week, and I'm super excited to see
47:43the progress on site of our new home.
47:46Whoa.
47:47Are you sure it's big enough?
47:49Uh, wow.
47:52You guys have been busy.
47:54Well done, mate.
47:55Nice to see you.
47:56Well done.
47:57This looks enormous, guys.
47:59It's amazing, right?
48:00You can really see it now.
48:02This is kind of breakfast bar, kitchen.
48:05Yeah.
48:06Laundry over there.
48:07Lounge room.
48:08Lounge room over there.
48:10Look at the sunken lounge room in there.
48:12Mate, I love it.
48:14How many square meters are we talking?
48:16The first pour is 640 square.
48:18Right.
48:19But that's not all interior, right?
48:22No, that's-
48:23Two thirds of that is interior, a third is outside.
48:25That's right.
48:26You've got your little meditation area there.
48:28The outside area, yeah.
48:29And the barbecue area.
48:30Yep.
48:31Mate, it's feeling really elevated, isn't it?
48:34And the pool finishes out beyond that yellow post.
48:38Really?
48:39Yeah.
48:40Mate, who designed this thing?
48:41Um, some galoot.
48:42But listen, we've broken the back of this.
48:47Yeah, absolutely.
48:48Like, this is a good start.
48:49Absolutely.
48:50You know?
48:51Yes, it's a good start.
48:55But the truth is, I'm miles behind the other families.
48:58And I may not even get the house finished on time.
49:01Mick and the Cochinis are already at lock-up.
49:04And have started installing appliances.
49:07Rex has delivered and installed the Foxes two modular homes.
49:11And they're actually about to move in.
49:13So when I put this project up against the other two,
49:17I'm nowhere.
49:21In three weeks, I'll have the Federal Housing Minister
49:24looking at my house.
49:26And it better not be a patch of dirt.
49:29Next week on Future House,
49:32it's all hands on deck as I attempt the impossible.
49:36You guys are amazing.
49:37Ha ha ha!
49:38We reveal the finished three houses.
49:41And we take the teams to Parliament House
49:45for the ultimate pitch.
49:47Would you come out and help us judge these homes?
49:50What a request.
49:51Absolutely, Jamie.
49:52Which house will they vote for as the very best future house?
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