Our final public event for the year was a Knowledge Share hosted at the 2024 NGV Architecture Commission, featuring the captivating exhibit Home Truth by Breathe. 

Our thanks to Jeremy McLeod, Irma Del Valle Nachon and Tamara Veltre from Breathe and Ewan McEoin, Senior Curator, Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture at NGV.

Australians need to consider the ethical and ecological consequences of having one of the largest average house sizes in the world – more space can seem more appealing, but larger homes require more land, more energy for lighting, heating and cooling, and more possessions. A bigger house often means smaller gardens and fewer opportunities to connect with one another in shared living spaces.

Home Truth offers a compelling vision for alternative home building in Australia, demonstrating how small-scale architecture can foster more sustainable, higher-quality and community-oriented living environments. Using cutting-edge design to provoke thought and inspire dialogue, the installation encourages people to consider how much space is really necessary. Could less be better?

The installation is made from Victorian pine and saveBOARD – a low-carbon circular building material made from tetra packaging diverted from landfill – on a steel base. A basalt carving represents the Wurundjeri culture, and provides a connection to Country.

Touring the installation was our last Knowledge Share of the year, and an opportunity for us to thank our industry, research and government partners for their support throughout 2024.

HOME TRUTH

Architect: Breathe 
Project Team: Jeremy McLeod, Irma Del Valle Nachon, Jonas Nutter, Marcella Palma, Tom Supple 
Builder: Foxa Company 
Project Manager: Assembly Interiors 
Structural Engineers: Phil Gardiner and Riley Faulkner 
Sound Composer: Fuligin Sound 
Timber Supplier: Drouin West Timber & Truss 
Substrate Supplier: McCormacks Australia 
Rock Supplier: RokWorx