Architecture & Design

Wise Earth provides a specialist architecture, design and urban planning service called Ecotect-Architects.

Based in Perth, Western Australia Ecotect-Architects is a world-class architectural practice that provides tailored, leading edge and professional services to people who want to live and work in climate-sensibly designed homes, buildings and communities that are energy and water efficient.

Services include the provision of advisory, consultancy, design, construction, project management, information and educational programs that meet the current and emerging needs of people in today's world. All services are provided by highly qualified and experienced architects and project management specialists.

People who contact Ecotect Architects include commercial and residential property developers; owner builders and project builders; renovators and home buyers; urban and regional planners; journalists and reporters; politicians, ministers and government workers; students, lecturers and university department heads; engineers, scientists and physicists; renewable and sustainable energy researchers and specialists; draftspeople and other architects.

Ecotect-Architects was established in Perth in 1975 by Mr Garry Baverstock. Mr Baverstock is one of Australia's most widely recognised eco-architects and pioneers in the design and construction of passive solar buildings. Mr Baverstock was awarded an Order of Australia in 2006 for his groundbreaking work in eco architecture and significant contribution to Australian society.

Today Ecotect-Architects is regarded as an industry leader in the design and construction of excellent, innovative and sustainable homes, buildings and communities that are aesthetically pleasing and adhere to passive solar design principles.

Education & Training

Wise Earth Pty Ltd is in the process of establishing a global online and face-to-face business called the School of Sustainable Architecture and Design.

First conceptualised in the 1990s by Mr Garry Baverstock the School has only recently evolved into the development and delivery stage due to the availably of more effective software and students having access to faster internet connections.

The School is unique in that it fast-tracks much learning required for architects, designers and draftspeople keen to become highly knowledgeable and skilled specialists in the effective design of passive solar homes and buildings.  This is achieved by the careful selection of relevant and current content in each unit whereby students are no longer required to study out-dated modes of architectural practice.  A passive solar and sustainable approach to clever and effective building design is embedded in every core unit.  Flexibility is achieved by students able to complete online courses one after the after supported by their practical projects and group tasks.

The School works in conjunction with noteworthy universities and technical institutes around the world where design and architectural students can receive dual qualifications in which their graduation certificate is branded with their university emblem and that of the School of Sustainable Architecture and Design.  This joint venture arrangement with other institutions involves students completing elective units or core study streams not offered by their own universities.  

The School complies with international architectural protocol in which its code of professional conduct, examination standards and policies and procedures are similar to and support Australian, American and European codes.

International exchange is supported in which students are encouraged to undertake and complete group work with others located in different countries. This global collegiate learning and practice promotes the cross fertilisation of innovative and fresh ideas required to solve the world's ever increasing problems associated with carbon dioxide emissions and slow take up of sustainable products, materials and practices.

Courses, seminars and one-off training programs are also created and delivered for ad hoc clients, such as engineering, building and architectural enterprises. 

Health & Wellbeing

Wise Earth Pty Ltd is in the process of establishing and developing a specialist health and wellbeing business dedicated to improving the overall and interrelated physical and mental health of people.

Landscape Gardening & Permaculture

Wise Earth Pty Ltd provides a specialist business service in the area of landscape gardening, architecture and permaculture.

This is an information, advice and referral-based business service only.  

The evolution of this business arose following demand in Wise Earth's architecture and design service called Ecotect-Architects from clients who realised the benefits associated with designing gardens at the same time as their houses and buildings.

The concept of urban (suburban) and regional landscape gardening design takes into account the assessment of existing trees, shrubs and vegetation in individual and multiple lots prior to the design and construction of buildings and communities; the review and evaluation of natural bushland pinpointed for urban development; the effective reintroduction of plants and animal and insect species into previously cleared land; and the climate sensible design of gardens (including vegetable gardens) that complement and enhance the surrounding environment. Winds, water, breeze flows and sunlight penetration are also taken into account.

The effective use of waterways and the planting of shrubs and trees in strategic positions protect homes and buildings from harsh weather while providing havens for animals and insects.

Home owners request the services of landscape gardeners and permaculture experts before, during and upon completion of their home designs.

Professionals in commercial and government organisations frequently ask landscape gardeners and built environment architects to design gardens and vegetation corridors to enhance and promote the usability and aesthetic appeal of locations.

Services include:

• Advice and information
• Garden, bushland and regional landscape assessments
• Garden design and landscape architecture
• Policy development
• Project management
• Master planning
• Referral to permaculture experts
• Referral to water-wise specialists

Property Development

Wise Earth Pty Ltd provides a property development business that specialises in the design and construction of climate sensible and environmentally sound buildings and villages.

Wise Earth's unique strength is its knowledge and experience in passive solar building design and ensuring buildings are sustainable and complement surrounding environments.  The appropriate integration of vegetation, waterways, and fauna and insect movements is critical to effective design and construction of sustainable buildings.

Services include the delivery of professional advice and support; design and construction; joint venture relationships; and property development management.

Projects range from home owner unit development sites through to portable mining accommodation units and retirement villages. 

People who frequently contact Wise Earth Property Development include retirement village developers; hotel proprietors; tourism operators; hospital and allied health service providers; school and university decision-makers and a diverse range of private, government and commercial investors. 

Services include:

• Advice, information and support
• Land acquisition and sustainability assessments
• Property development partnering / joint ventures
• Concept designs and design developments
• Project management
• Master planning and strategic project planning
• Land and building risk assessments
• Client representation
• Budgeting and funding advice and sourcing of debt and equity
• Marketing and sales' plans and strategies
• Post completion inspections and evaluations
• Mediation and dispute resolution

  Benefits includes:

• Extensive experience in working with passive solar/climate sensible architects and builders
• Knowledge of urban and regional planning R codes and requirements
• Working knowledge of local council/shire and state planning requirements
• Familiarity of lodgement and review procedures
• Respectful and fair contracts
• Completion of buildings that promote the effective use of and integration of natural sunlight which is appealing to humans and healthy for occupants
• Well networked, particularly with reputable and professional surveyors, settlement and real estate agents who specialise in property developments.

Property Management

Wise Earth Pty Ltd provides a property management service for commercial real estate.

This business offers commercial property owners a flexible and affordable service with an environmental sustainable focus.  Owners who wish to retain their real estate agents may decide to purchase service elements such as sustainability building reports and climate sensible retrofitting plans.

This service is unique because it provides owners with a strategic plan that details how they can steadily and cost-effectively integrate low energy products while gradually retrofitting their offices and buildings to climate sensible design standards.

Services include:

• Advertising for tenants
• Selection, screening and appointment of tenants
• Property condition reports
• Office and building sustainability assessments
• Energy efficiency audits and reports
• Lease administration, including contract formulation
• Rent collection
• Financial reporting, budgeting and accounting
• Capital works programs, including retrofitting and renovation strategic plans
• Maintenance and repairs
• Security installations and monitoring
• Management of legal and court proceedings
• Liaison with local shires and councils regarding relevant matters
• Insurance reviews and up-grades
• Inspections
• Transition management to minimise risk associated with tenants departing and new ones moving in

Benefits include:

• Increase in tenant attraction and retention, particularly in workplace environments that incorporate energy efficient appliances and climate sensible design principles
• Maximisation of rents via a reduction in on-costs such as the utilisation of sensible maintenance services and installation of low embodied energy products;
• Adherence to local council requirements and legislation;
• Service is provided by people who manage their own sustainable offices so are familiar with managing these types of operations
• Familiarity with local council policies and state and federal legislation
• Provide cost effective sustainable maintenance, renovation and retrofitting options.

People who work in climate sensible buildings are more productive, enjoy better relationships with colleagues and clients, are sick less often and report an increase in morale and work satisfaction. Vacancy rates in climate sensible buildings are lower than non-climate compliant buildings.

Climate sensible buildings are ideal for workers because they have been designed to best complement and support the human body and mind. The careful selection of non-toxic building materials coupled with the considered placement of windows and skylights ensures natural daylight is bounced around rooms which trigger the production of serotonin, a brain chemical that controls mood in people. This means workers who suffer from bouts of depression or who have respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis, will feel better in these environments. These buildings' ventilation systems also enable workers' physical bodies to better adjust to changing weather and seasonal patterns. Green buildings are less likely to suffer from 'sick building syndrome' which is when artificial heating and cooling systems transmit bacteria throughout buildings.

Research & Development

Wise Earth Pty Ltd is in the process of establishing a research and development business called the Wise Earth Research Institute.

The purpose of the Institute is to ensure ideas, products and services that assist people to improve the health of the planet are conceptualised, tested, developed and introduced on a global scale. This objective is achieved by bringing together like-minded scientists, students, entrepreneurs and inventors in online and face-to-face environments.  Particular funding focus is on renewable energy; food and agriculture; biotechnology; infrastructure and urban living; health sciences; information and communications technology; and the environment, inclusive of water, air and land.

Services delivered by the Institute include:

• Register with domestic and global funding institutions and government departments;
• Bring together specialists, inventors, engineers and scientists from around the world to develop innovative solutions to current and potential challenges;
• Submit grant applications to fund innovative research and development projects;
• Appraise, test and monitor research projects for relevance and return on investment;
• Provide support, advice and information to inventors, scientists and others who may otherwise feel isolated and unsure of the capability and potential of their ideas;
• Patent, trademark ideas, products and service to protect new inventions and the developers of these ideas;
• Creation of confidentiality contracts to provide inventors and others with the legal protection and security they require, particularly while still in the development stage;
• Provision of hot desks and offices, online and physical, to assist specialists and others to discuss ideas in confidence and submit funding applications.

The Institute is unique because it offers inventors and other innovative thinkers with a confidential setting in which they can share and receive professional support, acknowledgement and guidance for their new and often unusual and unconventional ideas.  The Institute rewards 'creative thinking' by providing intellectuals with a safe environment in which their often outlandish ideas and products can be discussed, tested, developed and marketed.  New methods of creating workable and reliable solutions to current day challenges are often only achieved by the implementation and adoption of out of the ordinary and innovative thinking and development processes.

It also provides university graduates with a physical and online venue where they can share ideas and connect with people who can help them solve problems and / or build their products and market to necessary markets.  Often tertiary graduates who are highly inventive and creative feel unable to continue working in their areas of interest and this platform provides with the opportunity to follow their dreams. 

The Institute generates its income by receiving a percentage of the grant application monies in return for services. At times joint ventures and alliances are formed.  An alliance is a mutually beneficial formal relationship between two or more parties to pursue a set of agreed goals while remaining independent from each other.

Solar Education

Wise Earth Pty Ltd delivers a fascinating and world class solar education and information online business called Solar-e.

This business entity promotes the use of solar energy and energy efficient architecture through six areas. These are communication, information, education, innovation, design and action.

Communication

Solar-e aims to enhance and improve the methods of communication so people around the world can better understand solar energy and its amazing benefits. Communication is undertaken via traditional (e.g. magazine and journal articles) and modern mediums such as on the Solar-e website where curious and keen people can share their ideas, ask experts questions, blog, join a community forum or just browse the site.

Information

Solar-e provides information about new and existing solar products and services.  The aim of this service is to excite people about the realisation that they can enhance their lives by becoming more aware of solar energy and its wide range of innovative products and services. Visitors to the website are encouraged to share their knowledge with online friends as well as their own families and work colleagues. Knowledge is a wonderful tool.

Education

Solar-e provides a list of educational and informative websites and accredited educational institutions around the world for all people - big and small.  

Innovation

Solar-e is steadfast in its commitment to helping and supporting inventors and others with clever and innovative solar ideas. To date young and old inventors have benefited from being introduced to experts in the field, including university researchers, scientists and academics; to financiers, project managers, engineers and entrepreneurs with the types of skills needed to transform ideas into profitable and workable solutions.

Design

At Solar-e the importance of designing energy efficient and climate sensible homes and buildings is paramount. Web visitors can find out how they can improve their homes and offices and what types of components they can use, such as solar panels, solar water heaters and shade devices.

Action

Solar-e - ultimately - is about stimulating local, national and global action. Solar-e provides people around the world with the facilities and connections to enhance and improve their lives so each and every one of us becomes less dependent on fossil fuels. All forms of renewable energy originate directly or indirectly from the sun. These include biomass, biofuel, geothermal, hydroelectricity, solar, tidal, wave and wind.

Solar-e accomplishes its vision and purpose with the assistance of international specialists, academics and scientists and from ongoing contributions made by online communities around the world.

The vision of Solar-e is for the world to be energised by solar energy by 2050.  

The purpose of Solar-e to inform, educate and promote the benefits of solar energy and associated products and services to people around the world.

Solar energy for a solar economy!

Solar Smart Homes

Wise Earth Pty Ltd delivers a progressive and innovative residential building business called Solar Smart Homes.

Based in Western Australia, Solar Smart Homes was created to meet the specific needs of lower to middle income earners keen to reap the rewards and benefits associated with living in climate sensible homes, but unable to afford the often costly design and building charges required to construct unique once-off distinctive designs.

Solar Smart Homes differs from other project builders because it provides customers with a range of passive solar and energy efficient floor and elevation plans suitable for a range of block sizes and lot orientations.  These homes are fairly simple in design yet aesthetically pleasing and adhere to basic climate sensible design criteria.

Customers are encouraged to know the size of their lots, direction north and council set-back requirements before choosing a standard Solar Smart Homes' plan.  Floor plans can be slightly amended and re-costed by a Solar Smart Homes' specialist to ensure it complies with local council and planning commission requirements. 

Solar Smart Homes has its own set of quality appointed builders, but flexibility has been built into the franchise operation in which customers can appoint their own builders.

Complete home and construction packages range in price from $250,000 to $500,000.

The benefits associated with building and living in Solar Smart Homes includes significant savings on energy bills, increased resale value, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and a comfortable home filled with warmth and natural sunlight in winter and natural cooling, cross ventilation and light in summer.

The unique benefits associated with appointing a Solar Smart Homes' franchise builder are:

• Choice of up to six floor plans designed for a range of block orientations and lot sizes
• Floor plan specifically designed to complement local environments and lot types
• Aesthetically pleasing and welcoming home elevations
• Utilisation of sustainable and low embodied energy building materials
• Professional builders committed to constructing durable and quality homes
• Information and support from Solar Smart Homes' specialist who understand the Australian environment and customers' needs.

People who live in solar smart homes report better mental and physical health. These homes use less toxic materials in the construction and maintenance phases and are ideal for people with respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis and others who experience episodes of mental illness, such as depression, loneliness and sadness. The effective placement of windows and skylights enables the bounce and flow of daylight which is an important trigger in the production of serotonin, a brain chemical that controls mood in people. These homes' natural ventilation systems also enable occupants' physical bodies to better adjust to changing weather and seasonal patterns.

People who live in climate sensible homes, whether home owners or tenants, are also likely to stay in them for longer periods of time. This is due to cheaper energy bills and the homes being more comfortable as a result of the effective use of natural light.

People who choose to build and live in solar smart energy efficient homes are committed to living healthier and happier lives; want an asset that complements their surrounding environments and lifestyles; and have a desire to contribute positively to the locality in which they live.