From Modern Housing to Sustainable Suburbia: How Occupants and their Dwellings are Adapting to Reduce Home Energy Consumption

Abstract

In this paper, we examine how occupants and their dwellings adapt to reduce home energy consumption. Our analysis is informed by recent studies which emphasize the materiality of the home, as well as the impact of technological change within the home. Such approaches are important in clarifying the relationship between home design and home practices, as well as understanding processes of change such as sustainable home adaptation. Drawing on people’s experiences of installing solar hot water systems, we found that sustainable home adaptation was not a straightforward process whereby occupant aspirations were delivered through building adaptation, but rather adaptation arose from the differing capacities and practices of occupants and their buildings, and how these were negotiated over time. In particular, we found that successful adaptations were dependent on the integration of the occupant’s “folk knowledge” of their home along with the “technical knowledge” provided by tradespeople, suppliers or the occupant themselves. In contrast to mid-century Australian housing new sustainable modes of living demand: working knowledge of the dwelling, reflection on home practices, and case-specific adjustments of dwellings that reflect the needs and capacities of occupants.