Architect Peter Stutchbury and Pedestrian TV co-founder Oscar Martin launch sustainable homes project

Design, affordability, and sustainability are among the top concerns of many home buyers, as well as architects who look to find creative solutions to help reduce cost and eliminate net energy usage.

In a world where we can order anything, from designer clothes to dinner, and have it delivered right to our door, it’s no surprise that our perfect home is next. 

While cookie-cutter prefabricated houses are not a new concept in Australia, architecturally designed, pro-planet, and affordable dwellings are. 

Meet Dimensions X (“dimX”), a groundbreaking collaboration between visionary architect Peter Stutchbury and Pedestrian TV co-founder Oscar Martin.

The combination of architectural design and sustainability makes for a highly adaptable abode that boasts a smaller-than-average carbon footprint, luxury, liveability, and six-week turnaround to construct.

“It’s a no-brainer,” says Martin, who came up with the concept while renovating his Bondi Beach home.

“I was watching the wall frames being delivered on site and being plugged in like an Ikea set, and wondered why a whole house couldn’t come together like this?” 

Martin had chosen to work with Stutchbury on his home renovation when he had his lightbulb moment. 

“It occurred to me that working with him or someone of his calibre isn’t available to many people, which doesn’t seem right,” he says. “Why can’t everyday Australians live in affordable and planet-friendly homes designed by the world’s best architects?”  

Stutchbury was equally smitten with the concept. “Module building developments are incredibly economic, but traditionally have minimal flexibility in terms of what you can do with them.  Ours is different.”

Using a digitised process, their first design, OM-1, is created by selecting your desired modules from the Dimensions X website, and modifying it to suit your taste, locale, and lifestyle. 

“Like testing a car, you can add additional elements and features,” Stutchbury says.

“The intent is to manage the order online and change and modify elements, like its length and size [which is dependent on the number of modules you order], vertical or horizontal orientation, joinery, finishes, and window and door placement. 

“The key initiative is the environment skylight system that features a variety of panels that can be placed and designed to orientate, which is dependent on site rather than footprint of building. It is that adaptable.” 

Choose add-ons from a planet-friendly menu, including composting, rainwater tanks, mineral pool, beehives, smart-home tech and even eco bed sheets.  

Rustic, chic and elegant in design, the homes are constructed using CLT (cross-laminated timber), one of the world’s most sustainable building materials. Energy efficient and air-tight with concrete-like strength, Martin believes it is the building material of the future.  

“We explored energy-efficient construction materials and CLT was absolutely the standout,” he says.

“I predict it will one day replace concrete and steel as an identically robust and planet-friendly alternative.  It is made from plantation trees and as soon as one tree is taken down, another is planted, so you are farming, removing and replacing. It makes sense.” 

Major components of the home are pre-crafted at an Australian plantation and cut with millimetre precision before being delivered straight to site, making creating a building an efficient, fast, and affordable process. 

“The home is erected over a six-week period and can be executed by any builder,” Stutchbury says. “We offer two finish options – a utilitarian interior finish which is cost-effective, low-maintenance and more typical of my work, or a highly polished look.”

Thanks to its flexible design, it can be used as a family home, weekender, granny flat, office, cafe or small motel, and be staged anywhere such as the beach, the mountains, the parcel of vacant land at the bottom of the garden, or truly remote locations. 

“It’s about utilising land in the best way possible,” says Martin, who is installing a number of homes at his newly acquired Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard.

“They will act as cabin accommodation for guests to enjoy wine and discover what it’s like to live sustainably and in harmony with nature.”  

Stutchbury has installed one at his house as a garage.

“It’s interesting to use it daily, while continuing to develop the concept,” he says. “You can take the economy away and have a beautiful home, or take away beauty and have an affordable home.  It’s difficult to have both. The future is still up for major investigation and we are doing just that.”  

Dimensions X OM-1 launches January 1, 2021.