Built for the Bush explores some of the energy efficient features of Australia’s 19th century country homes and the reappearance of many of these traditional practices in contemporary green architecture.

For Australia’s rural settlers the creation of simple, energy efficient homes was a matter of situational necessity with their limited access to materials, skills and resources. Today, architects recognize the conservation of energy as a global imperative and are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the creation and maintenance of modern housing.

In this new light the low-energy solutions of the 19th century rural house are being reappraised: the environmental suitability of traditional building materials has been recognized; water is again being treated like a precious commodity and passive shade, ventilation and heating strategies are once more being utilized to condition the air.

Tour schedule
Shear Outback Museum, Hay | 20 November 2009 – 27 January 2010
Albury City Library Museum | 12 February – 4 April 2010
Museum of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga | 13 April – 18 July 2010
Temora Historical Society | mid July – mid September 2010
Pioneer Park , Griffith | September –  end November 2010
Adelong Alive | Apr – May 2011

An exhibition from the NSW State Cultural Institutions