Program 3: Engaged Communities
This aim of this project is to explore an interactive, national conversation on energy efficient housing to be conducted across a range of social media platforms and television.
The first stage of this project involved research and market testing, to look at the potential for developing a social media platform that would build mainstream support for low carbon housing. This stage of the project demonstrated the successful testing of the initial idea, and broad support from government, industry and academia. It built a coalition of more than 60 supporters, a proposal for prospective collaborators, a proposed governance framework and market tested video content and messaging.
Now, the second phase of the project is taking steps towards making the idea a reality by prototyping a social media platform and testing it with consumers in an offline environment. Once the prototype is built and ready to launch, an expression of interest (or similar) process will be conducted for the ongoing operation of the site.
Program
Project leader
Anthony Wright
Project status
Complete
Project period
08/2015 to 12/2018
- Publications
- News
- Partners
- Students
CRCLCL Project Reports
RP3029e1: Report: Build4Life Business Model Analysis: Sustainability Publishing and Peer to Peer Advice Service
This report outlines the development of Build4Life’s preferred business model, based on insights from the customer discovery phase.
Build4Life aims to be a platform connecting home renovators with local service and product providers, promoting sustainable renovations across Australia. The model includes an online hub offering quality content, community support, and local facilitators who organize Renovators Clubs. These facilitators link renovators with local trades, resources, and advice, earning commissions from referrals.
The Australian home renovation market was valued at $33 billion in 2017, with strong growth expected due to aging housing stock. Build4Life’s unique value lies in its local facilitators who foster community and knowledge-sharing—setting it apart from content-only competitors like Houzz and HGTV.
Key customer segments include:
- Renovators: Couples aged 35–54, with or without children (77% of the market).
- Trades: Small businesses with fewer than 5 employees (77% of suppliers).
A pilot Renovators Club in Newcastle, NSW, helped validate the model. With positive feedback and market alignment, Build4Life is now progressing with its online platform development.
Build4Life Business Model Analysis: Sustainability Publishing and Peer to Peer Advice Service (3912202 PDF)
RP3029e1: Report: Build4Life: The application of an agile management approach to Government policy
The Build4Life project represents an innovative approach to Government policy that involved taking a policy challenge aimed at getting households to renovate their homes more sustainably, applying the latest insights from the social sciences and the application of a lean start-up methodology to create a viable self-sufficient business entity aimed at guiding people to consider sustainable housing options and delivering on the policy outcomes.
BlueTribeCo was responsible for the overall project management of the Build4Life project with the aim of taking the concept of Build4Life and delivering a viable and validated business model for the commercialisation of Build4Life.
This report represents a summary of the lean start-up methodology utilised in the delivery of Build4Life and the key lessons identified through the project execution.
Build4Life: The application of an agile management approach to Government policy (1107453 PDF)
RP3029e1: Report: Driving a National Social Media Conversation on Energy Efficient Housing Stage 2 – Final Report
This project used the insights gleaned from CRCLCL Program 3 social research projects, particularly RP3029, to develop a web-based platform to support a transition to a low carbon and energy efficient residential housing sector. The platform provides a mechanism for renovators to socialise, discuss their renovations, communicate with trades and manage their renovation projects adopting renovation options in the process that minimises the environmental impact and carbon emissions of the house.
The project aimed to deliver a real outcome for consumers using CRCLCL research to inform project development at all stages. The major output of the project can be found at https://demo.myrenovationplanner.com/.
In building this website this project, RP3029e1 sought to do many things:
- To provide sustainability information direct to consumers, when, where and how it was needed during the renovation process.
- To deliver a public policy outcome (lower carbon housing) by creating a viable business which could operate without ongoing Government funding.
- To enable people to engage socially, via the web and in person, to harness the power of peer-to-peer and professional networks in support of low-carbon housing.
To achieve these aims the project participants used lean start-up methodologies, survey and focus group research, agile software development practises and aimed to learn fast and adapt quickly when necessary. From beginning to end the project shifted its focus and project output was altered in response to end-user feedback. The final project output has evolved into more of a planning and project management platform than a social media platform – albeit with a strong social component. The platform has tested well with its target market and the project participants are working with a prospective licensee of the technology to see it launched as a commercial website.
Project RP3029e1 has delivered a minimum viable product website, capable of being licenced to a commercial operator, which could support the delivery of carbon savings. The project participants will actively seek a third-party licensee to realise these benefits after the conclusion of the project.
Driving a National Social Media Conversation on Energy Efficient Housing Stage 2 – Final Report (2445132 PDF)
CRCLCL Presentations
RP3029: Presentation: Participants Annual Forum 2015 - RP3029 Driving a national social media conversation on energy efficient housing
Participants Annual Forum 2015 - Day 1
RP3029 Driving a national social media conversation on energy efficient housing
Trudy-Ann King, Green Building Council of Australia Market Development Director
Participants Annual Forum 2015 - RP3029 project snapshot (1396301 PDF)
CRCLCL Project Posters
RP3029: News Article: The myths about sustainable buildings and cities
9 March 2016
As awareness about the need to deliver buildings and cities which meet high standards of sustainability in design and construction grows, it is important to think about whether or some of the commonly held perceptions or assumptions about green building are in fact accurate.
Read the full article in Sourceable
RP3029: News Article: Government at last turns focus to energy productivity, and the plan looks good
8 December 2015
Increasing National Construction Code standards, expanding the Commercial Building Disclosure program and considering a national mandatory disclosure scheme for residential have been announced as key measures to reach Australia’s energy productivity improvement target of 40 per cent by 2030.
The COAG Energy Council’s National Energy Productivity Plan 2015-2030, a framework for how Australia can work towards its 40 per cent energy productivity goal, details 34 measures the states and Commonwealth will implement to better coordinate “energy efficiency, energy market reform and climate policy”....
Read the full article in The Fifth Estate
RP3029: News Article: Energy star ratings for homes? Good idea, but it needs some real estate flair
17 February 2016
If you’ve ever bought a home you’ll know the feeling of deciphering real estate advertising spin. But those advertisements traditionally don’t tell you about how much it will cost to heat, cool and power your home.
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) last month called for a nationally-consistent rating system for household sustainability. It follows hot on the heels of the COAG Energy Council’s National Energy Productivity Plan in December.
Read the full article in The Conversation