The $4 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package aims to improve the energy efficiency of Australian homes, helping householders cut their energy waste, make their homes more comfortable and save on energy bills.

As part of the Australian Government’s $42 billion Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan, it will stimulate the economy, supporting thousands of jobs in manufacturing, distribution and installation in the midst of an economic downturn.

Reduce your energy bills and make your home more energy efficient at virtually no upfront cost:

The Homeowner Insulation Program
Under the program, assistance of up to $1,600 is available to help eligible owner-occupiers install ceiling insulation in their existing privately-owned homes. (See link below for further information).

Solar Rebates
Solar water heater and air-source pump water heaters are also attracting generous federal rebates, see if you qualify for significant rebates - http://www.rheemsolarsavers.com.au/register.asp.

Rebates are equating to the price of the air pump heaters being 1/8th of the original price! Manufacturers quote savings of $700 a year for an average family of 4.

Information on renewable energy credits (usually redeemed at point of sale, reducing the initial up front cost) can be found on the government website: http://www.orer.gov.au/swh/

Other resources:

Insulation Rebate Document [PDF / 800kb] Download

Solar Hot Water Rebate Document [PDF / 350kb] Download

One of the projects nominated for a Detail Prize 2009, in the Special Prize Architecture Export category, is this Prayer and Meditation Pavilion in Soba, Sudan by Venice, Italy's Studio Tamassociati.

While not selected as winner (FAR's popular Wall House nabbed that distinction), it's clear to see why the project was nominated in the first place, from the siting and its platonic exterior to the dramatic interior spaces.

The pavilion is basically two cubes, tangent to each other on one face and shifted from each other about the distance of the half of one side. Slots and a peeling away of the outer walls create access points to each cube from opposite sides, across a shallow pool.

Visit:

:: Studio Tamassociati
:: Detail Prize 2009

Architect Rodrigo Sheward Giordano from The School Of Architecture at the University Of Talca, Chile has designed and managed the construction of Pinohuacho Observation Deck in Chile.

The shelter is built on former logging territory and can be used by hunters during the winter, and by hikers during the summer. The timber was collected from trees left over from logging and was sawn and prepared on site.

Located in an area devastated by a past volcano eruption, the observation platforms were built in response to the growing "agri-tourism" business that is sweeping the country.

Built entirely by hand , the architects and locals wanted to showcase the cultural significance and skills of the local woodworking craftsmen by using heavy timber from an unused pile of coigue wood pieces.

The simple form and openness of the structures seem to allow for solace and connection to the landscape all at once. the nature of the material suggests a rugged adaptation to the climate, but also recognizes the life-cycle of the wood, returning to the earth naturally as it slowly decays, eventually becoming a poetic artifact of human existence.

Just a beautiful, inspired peice of work that is so much mor than the sum of it's parts.

Time to book my flight to chile...

Visit:

:: Archidaily
:: Architects Blog [in spanish] for more images, plans and videos.