There could be more in the Planning and Design Code that specifically encourages energy efficient building design.
The current trend for extensions, ensuites and new roofs to be clad in black colorbond or steel sheeting is architecturally fashionable but from an environmental point of view is less desirable. The colour black absorbs heat more readily than lighter colours, white or natural silver (zincalume or galvanised steel) actually reflects light and absorbs less heat.
Noticeably in more recent times eaves on houses and buildings are making a come back. Villas and bunglows from the late 1800s into the 1930s had extensive eaves and verandahs practical additions to houses in our hot Australian climate. In the 1940 -1980s the prominence of eaves declined substantially and verandahs often became little more than small porches over front entrances. During this time until more recently the reliance on outside blinds and air conditioning to deal with our summer heat became more fashionable. Now there is a noticeable increase in eaves and verandahs on new dwellings, sun shading and energy efficient glazing in residential and commercial buildings in recognition of increasing energy costs.
Eaves practically non-existent approach over front door and shading of window dependents on blinds
South Australia has one of the highest rates of solar panels being placed on residential buildings in Australia. Government rebates have assisted in reducing the installations costs of panels and will hopefully overtime will encourage further uptake of battery storage for night time electricity usage and increasingly charging Electric Vehicles. All this will increasingly become attractive as natural gas is expected to become more expensive.
The orientation of buildings can do much to assist in energy efficiency with windows facing north encouraging Winter sun penetration into buildings. The reverse being true with building and windows facing west towards the heat of the afternoon sun. Some encouragement of orientation can be found in the Planning and Design Code. The layout and design of land subdivisions can also have an influence in house orientation and efficiency as the size of residential block decreases and the floor area of houses increases.
Windows and doors can be placed so there is natural cross ventilation that can assist in removing heat from buildings or conversely allowing heat to enter the building. With multi-storey structures vertical ventilation can be encouraged up through the building via, vents, openable skylighs and stairwells.
Thermal mass is another way of lessening heating requirements for buildings. A thick masonry, earth or concrete walls placement can be such that heat is trapped within the thermal mass of the wall and then this heat is slowly released when the temperature within the building falls. Alternative light weight building materials at upper levels will diffuse the heat out of a hot upper level as the night air is cooler outside.
The placement of deciduous trees say on the western side of a building will provide shade from the hot afternoon summer sun when the tree is out in leaf. Alternatively when the tree loses it leaves in Autumn any winter sunlight will filter through the bare tree branched to the building below.
Deciduous trees and planting important for shades in summer while allowing the plantations in winter