Sustainable Houses

Explore our collection of Sustainable Houses
featured on Lunchbox Architect.

Woah. Sustainable Houses is a broad statement and a word which is so often overused. All of the houses we feature on Lunchbox Architect incorporate some aspects of sustainability — a water tank, a shiny array of solar panels, or a passive solar design because everyone should be making an effort. But there are some homes which take it even further and these are the homes that we're happy to stamp as sustainable houses.

It's virtually impossible to be truly sustainable, but some of the homes we feature use only renewable energy, sustainable building materials and capture and treat all their water on-site, making them self-sufficient. If we see a home that goes above and beyond in the world of sustainability, we'll list it here so that you can be inspired by their ideas and strategies.

Check out some of the Sustainable Houses projects featured on Lunchbox Architect

A Modern Nod to Melbourne’s Beach Boxes

Why settle for a standard backyard when you can wrap your home around a lush courtyard? Baker’s House rethinks suburban living.

More Than a House—A Self-Sustaining Ecosystem in the City

Holocene House doesn’t just sit in the landscape—it actively regenerates it. Explore this carbon-positive oasis in Sydney.

Big Ideas, Small Footprint: A Studio That Thinks Outside the Box

A gable roof, mezzanine, and sliding doors bring space-saving magic to this compact yet versatile backyard studio.

Treeview Terrace: The Little Terrace That Could (And Did!)

From dark and dreary to light, bright, and effortlessly cool, while still keeping it green and gorgeous...

Why This Home is Shaking Up a Heritage Street (In a Good Way!)

Not your average front yard – this one is part garden, part community hub, and a functional extension of the home...

Glowing with Purpose: A Sustainable Bushland Retreat

Nestled in Beaconsfield’s bushland, Hillside Home glows like a lantern—sustainable, serene, and strikingly beautiful.

A Timber-Clad Treehouse for the Golden Years

Designed for a retired couple, this home floats among the trees with minimal impact and maximum serenity

A Home Where Every Day Feels Like a Holiday

A thoughtfully designed coastal retreat that blends timeless elegance with a relaxed, holiday-like atmosphere every single day.

Bikes, Bunnies, and Brilliance: A Green Dream Home

Where bike storage isn’t an afterthought but a design-defining feature.

Compact Design, Big Impact: Brunswick Home Renovation

Reviving a 1920s weatherboard for modern family living while preserving the home’s character and charm...

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
5 Ways to maximise sustainability in your home renovation

Whether you’re doing a full renovation or a smaller upgrade, these five strategies will help you maximise sustainability in your home renovation, without sacrificing comfort or style.

Sculptural Roofs and Rammed Earth Walls Define this Bold Design

Rammed earth, solar power, and handcrafted details create a unique retreat where the design feels at home in the landscape.

Riverfront Revival: A 1990s Icon Reimagined for Modern Family Life

A young family’s vision transforms a Hawthorn classic into a modern haven.

From Dark to Dazzling: Clever Design Transforms Cottage into a Haven

Clever design turns a cramped workers' cottage into a double-storey family home.

How Lakeview House Tames Winds and Frames Picture-Perfect Views

Sheltered from wild winds, this off-grid hilltop home opens up to breathtaking lakeside views. Explore its design secrets!

The Nest: A Coastal Haven That’s as Functional as It Is Stunning

Is it a house or a resort? The Nest’s clever design lets nature take the lead while creating a cosy, multi-purpose family retreat.

Hidden in the High Country: This Alpine Escape is Every Skier's Dream Home

Imagine unwinding here after a day on the slopes—alpine living just got easier.

A Victorian Terrace Transformed: Surprising Light, Space, and Style

A heritage facade, a modern heart – discover the design that balances tradition with today’s comforts in a truly unexpected way.

The Secret to Coastal Living: No Fences and Flexible Spaces

Two separate boxes, open-air flow, and room for 14 guests – see the smart layout behind this coastal crib.

Vaulted Ceilings and Rural Views: A 1960s Bungalow Reimagined

This 1960s bungalow didn’t belong in the countryside… until it did. See the transformation!

This Victorian Villa’s secret? A contemporary, sustainable twist (literally)

Think Victorian homes are dark and outdated? Think again! Bryant Alsop’s addition is all about light, space, and sustainability.

A high-performance home that’s tough on bushfires, easy on the planet

How can a small home be energy-efficient, bushfire-resistant, and beautiful? Find out!

Clever joinery unit is the Swiss Army Knife for apartment living

You won't believe how this 8.2m joinery unit transforms a compact apartment into a creative haven for this retired couple...

Discover the clever renovation of this 19th Century heritage gem

What happens when four kids, elderly parents, and a heritage-listed home collide? Find out how this family made it all work...

Why this eco-friendly home is more than just a pretty face

A home that blends into its suburban surroundings while quietly championing passive solar design and low-carbon construction...

How one home seamlessly supports three generations

Wondering how two families can live together without stepping on toes? This design cracks the code for multigenerational homes.

A clever side-by-side development that is both luxurious and energy efficient

A side-by-side subdivision that blends luxury and eco-conscious design in a way that proves you can have the best of both worlds…

A Stunning New Family Home That Respects and Remembers Its Roots

A new build that honours its humble but much loved predecessor while embracing modern sustainability and style…

A 90s renovation had made one big mistake…

Now this home enjoys a modern upgrade, reconnecting the kitchen to the backyard and adding eco-friendly touches...

Imagine if more suburban homes looked and functioned like this…

A suburban home designed for the Australian landscape and climate. If our suburbs looked like this, imagine what we could create.

Sustainable renovation: From dark bungalow to light-filled haven

This renovation isn't just an update—it's a tribute to the original design, reimagined for today.

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
The Future of Urban Living: Sustainable Solutions for City Dwellers

Four ideas that will shape the future of our homes and cities for the greener…

Seamlessly blending the old with the new at this stylish addition

The sleek, all-white extension of Armadale Annex brings modern flair to a classic Edwardian home.

From Factory to Dunes: The Story of a Prefab Beach House

Built in Brisbane, assembled by the beach. This unique prefab design is where precision meets coastal charm…

Historic limestone stable transformed into a modern family home

A hidden piece of history reshapes a modern Fremantle home renovation thanks to some creative design solutions...

Reimagining Tradition: An Off-Grid Farmhouse in Carrickalinga

This modern farmhouse combines tradition with sustainability, offering stunning views and off-grid living in Carrickalinga.

The facade of this coastal home lets you balance privacy and light

Louvres, clerestory windows, and a unique floor plan help this coastal retreat perfectly connect with its natural environment.

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
Sustainable Home Design: Building a Greener Future

Discover the future of sustainable home design! Learn how to create eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and healthy living spaces.

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
Sustainable Home Design: Expert Insights from Nicola Dovey

Resident Expert, Nicola Dovey talks us through sustainable home design principles and how you can improve sustainability on any budget.

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
Discover Heather's Off-Grid House: A Model of Sustainable Rural Living

This off-grid sustainable house balances modern comforts with off-grid sustainable living on a 37-hectare property in Birregurra.

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
Simple Steps to Enhance Your Home's Efficiency

Creating an efficient home isn't just about the latest technology or materials; it's about thoughtful design and smart planning...

High Ceilings, Large Windows Make This Home Look and Feel Larger

It's amazing how high ceilings can offer your home an extra sense of space, just take a look at this light and bright example...

Transforming a Run-down Weatherboard Into a Bright, Sustainable Home

Want a sustainable home, but don't know where to start? An architect can help you create a comfortable, sustainable home...

Get the Basics Right to Make Your Home As Sustainable As Possible

If you focus on the basics first in sustainable house design, everything else becomes a bonus and your reduce greenwashing overwhelm.

Off-grid Retreat Takes in Views of a Stunning But Hostile Landscape

Sitting on an exposed hilltop, this off-grid retreat deals with a hostile landscape, but it's worth the effort for that view...

Unlike Pesky Coffee Cups, This House is Designed to be Recyclable

It's surprising how many everyday items can't be recycled. Being fully recyclable, this home is surprising for the opposite reason!

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
5 Innovative Designs That Will Make You Green With Green Roof Envy

Imagine if the satellite view of our towns and cities was a patchwork of lush greenery instead of miles of tile and tin...

New Solar Extension Designed to Power the Whole House

A rear extension takes advantage of a North-facing backyard to connect to the garden and generate electricity for the whole house.

A Home Inspired by the Feelings of Camping Under a Simple Tarpaulin

In a natural clearing of bushland, this home with simple detailing and an earthy palette captures the spirit and joy of camping.

Post War Sydney Home Updated for a Young Modern Family

A home previously owned by the client's Grandmother wasn't a good fit for a young family. An innovative extension changes all that.

An Off-the-Grid Home Appropriate to its Stunning Rainforest Location

This off-the-grid home is close to the beach in the Daintree Rainforest — an ancient ecosystem deserving a thoughtful approach to site.

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