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Warren HatelyAugusta Margaret River Times
Architect Michael Sorensen's home will be among those on display for Sustainable House Day on Sunday.
Camera IconArchitect Michael Sorensen's home will be among those on display for Sustainable House Day on Sunday. Credit: Warren Hately

Local architect Michael Sorensen has encouraged residents interested in reducing their lifestyle footprint to tour the region’s most sustainable houses this weekend.

Five local homes between Witchcliffe and Cowaramup will be open on Sunday for this year’s Sustainable House Day.

“For more than 19 years, Sustainable House Day has provided a great opportunity for hundreds of thousands of people to visit some of Australia’s leading green homes — ones that are not only environmentally friendly, but cheaper to run and more comfortable to live in,” Mr Sorensen said.

“Sustainable House Day gives visitors a chance to inspect first-hand houses that have been designed, built or renovated with sustainability in mind, as well as the opportunity to talk to owners and receive unbiased advice.”

More than 250 homes will open nationwide this weekend.

In the Capes region, open homes include the Sativa Sanctuary hemp house, Sanctuary Circle in Cowaramup, 5 Rooms Retreat in Gracetown, Earth Shelter in Quindalup, and Ambergate’s Vastu House.

Carters Road’s Fair Harvest will also mark the day and a number of homes in the Margaret River region will also open their doors.

Mr Sorensen’s property will also be open, showcasing a range of innovative green design functions.

“We developed this lot on Ashton Street to demonstrate how you could build a small footprint sustainable home, and supply most of your needs from within the lot,” he said

“We enjoy showing it off to motivate and engage with people interested in sustainability and self-sufficiency,” he said.

“There has been an explosion of sustainable materials and building methods over recent years,” Mr Sorensen said.

“It’s very encouraging to see the opportunities that exist.

“The passionate people who open their private homes on this day do so to enthuse others to follow and create better, healthier living environments for themselves and their families.”

For a full listing, visit sustain ablehouseday.com.

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