By Luke Voogt
Ryan and Lucy Thompson’s late-night visits to the hospital for their sons became a thing of the past after they renovated their 1940s home.
A simple breathable wall wrap prevented the condensation and subsequent mould that was aggravating their sons’ asthma.
“We believe it’s had an impact,” Ryan said.
“As soon as we did the renovations, we didn’t have any issues. It’s not just a more sustainable home, it’s a healthier home.”
The wall wrap was just one step of the Thompsons’ retrofit and renovation of the house beginning in 2016 and continuing today.
“There’s a saying that you only have to finish a house the day before you sell it, so we’re relying on that,” Ryan said.
The couple settled the Californian weatherboard home in Geelong West on Christmas Eve 2007.
“There was plenty of scope to renovate once we got organised,” Ryan said.
Ryan is an architect and he wrote his final thesis at Deakin University on sustainable design.
“We had the know-how,” he said.
“We want to be comfortable in our home.”
Insulation and the wall wrap were the first things the couple tackled before knocking down a lean-to and starting an extension on the western side.
Large north-facing windows and a polished concreted floor take advantage of the winter sun, while the new living area needs no air conditioning in summer.
The family also installed solar and grey water systems.
They are opening their home to the public for the first time this weekend for Geelong Sustainable House Day.
“We only did it this year because it’s gone online due to COVID,” Ryan said.
“The digital format allowed us to hide some of those areas that are not quite finished.”
Details: geelongsustainability.org.au/shd2020
