Program 3: Engaged Communities
RP3029e1: Driving a National Social Media Conversation on Energy Efficient Housing
Stage 2 (the Build4Life Project)
The original CRCLCL Project RP3029 invested $150K to research and market test the idea of developing a social media platform designed to build mainstream support for low carbon housing. Co-contributions from project partners totalled $72.5K in cash and 1544 hours of in-kind contribution.
The project was very successful, building a coalition of more than 60 supporters, a proposal for prospective collaborators, proposed governance framework and market tested video and messaging. These outputs, recently provided to the CRCLCL, show that the idea has tested very well and has broad support from government, industry and academia.
This current Project is to take the idea that RP3029 generated and tested, then move towards making it a reality by prototyping a social media platform and testing it with consumers in an offline environment.
In parallel (and outside the scope of the Project) the OEH will seek to find an appropriate long term owner capable of commercialising and developing the Project IP. At this stage it is anticipated that at the end of the Project a minimum viable product will be built which may be ready to launch and an expression of interest (or similar) process will be concluded for the ongoing operation of the site.
Program
Project leader
Anthony Wright
Project status
Complete
Project period
01/2017 to 08/2018
- Publications
- Partners
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)