Icon Homes' Avora 34 display home celebrates innovation in construction through the intersection of style and technology.

Building sustainably isn't just about being eco-friendly. It's about innovation. It's about longevity. It's about efficiency.

In the case of Avora 34, Icon Homes' new display home in Sydney's northern beaches, this efficiency is just as clear in its revolutionary design as the sizeable savings on power costs it delivers thanks to a net zero energy rating. Solar energy generated through a Bristile Solar System offsets the electricity consumed by the house. Twenty-six solar panels are installed on the rooftop which, thanks to its flat design, allows the panels to be positioned in a way that they can't be seen from the street.

"For people wanting to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on style, the solar panels are a no-brainer, as they blend so seamlessly into the roofline," says Peter Thomas, director of Icon Homes.

In addition, Avora 34 features a Bristile Sonnen battery, a solar management system that allows energy to be stored for use in peak periods. Thanks to cutting-edge monitoring technology, this makes it possible for home owners to reduce or eliminate their electrical energy bill altogether.

To determine Avora 34's energy consumption, a new net zero calculator was designed specifically with Bristile systems in mind. By combining the NatHERS rating and analytics on fixed appliance usage, and comparing the figure to a solar system's potential energy production, the calculator can determine the likely consumption of energy over a 12-month period. The solar system can then be customised to ensure that the home produces more electricity than it consumes.

The net zero calculator was designed by Brad Hoad, a builder and energy advisor with over 28 years' experience. Hoad was inspired by demand from customers, builders and government departments looking for seeking to align modern building practices with sustainability practices via technology. 

"Homeowners are becoming increasingly conscious of their production of greenhouse emissions, and this calculator not only contributes to a low-carbon home, but also offers potential for a net zero electricity bill," says Hoad.

Of course, sustainability does not come at the cost of style, as Avora 34 proves. Inspired by the city, the coast and nature alike, the Warriewood home is characterised by its stunning use of stone featured in the façade, which is also carried through into the interiors. A nod to the Australian landscape, the use of natural stone brings a sense of warmth and texture to the home, creating a relaxed vibe. Unity between indoor and outdoor living is achieved through with cavity stacking doors leading to an outdoor room, perfect for alfresco entertaining.

Bringing the latest in clean energy and solar technology together with contemporary aesthetics, Avora 34 is at the forefront of innovative building practices that are just as stylish as they are environmentally sustainable.