Green from the ground up: How the Village scored big on sustainability

In the heart of Daylesford in regional Victoria, a new townhouse development is quietly rewriting the rules for sustainable housing.

The Village is a 31-home project led by Hygge Property which has just started construction in the Middleton Field neighbourhood of leafy Daylesford.

The project has big sustainability ambitions, with a focus on carbon-neutral living.

Its green credentials is why the Village project took out the Excellence in Sustainability award at the 2024 REA Excellence Awards, capping off years of meticulous planning, bold design, and community-driven intent.

Designed by Breathe Architecture with landscaping by Acre, the Village is part of Hygge’s broader Middleton Field precinct.

And it’s not just the aesthetic that stands out – it’s the values underpinning the project that have been winning over locals and experts alike.

Hygge Property director Adam Davidson told realestate.com.au that they had big ambitions for the Village project.

“We saw it as a demonstration project to prove that you can deliver truly sustainable, design-led outcomes in regional Victoria that rival or even surpass what’s being done in metro areas,” he said.

Situated just minutes from the centre of Daylesford, the project offers modern townhouses wrapped in native landscaping with minimal fencing to soften the boundaries and encourage connection.

But it’s what lies within – from the recycled NuPod concrete slabs to its double-glazed windows – that has clinched the sustainability accolade for the project.

“All of the homes are all-electric – no gas at all,” Mr Davidson said.

“We’ve partnered with Hepburn Energy and other certified GreenPower suppliers to ensure the energy is 100% renewable.

“Every home has a solar system and is wired for battery upgrades. It means residents can live comfortably with a much lighter environmental footprint.”

The design choices add up. Double glazing on all windows, polished concrete floors incorporating fly ash for a reduced carbon footprint, and an 8.4-star NatHER energy rating across the first homes constructed, well above the 7.5-star benchmark they initially aimed for.

“The lowest-rated home we’re building is still at eight stars,” Mr Davidson said.

“It’s not like the average is carried by a few high performers. The standard is consistent, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”

But The Village isn’t just a win for the environment – it’s also making a tangible social impact.

Four of the homes will be owned by women’s property initiatives, creating pathways to secure housing for women in need.

It has also been designed to appeal to a range of groups from downsizers and singles to families to foster a sense of community that is as inclusive as it is environmentally aware.

“We wanted to build a place that didn’t feel like a cookie-cutter greenfield development,” Mr Davidson said.

“Daylesford has a strong identity and we didn’t want to lose that, so we kept nearly 90% of the existing trees, retained the old homestead at the top of the hill, and put in walking trails that connect the whole precinct.”

The project has been warmly welcomed by the local community after some initial cautiousness.

“People were genuinely surprised,” he said.

“They expected something generic, and instead they saw something that really fits and elevates the character of Daylesford.”

With construction now underway on the first 12 homes and full build-out of the 31-townhouse community on the horizon, the Village is well on its way to becoming a living, breathing community.

For Mr Davidson and the Hygge team, the REA Excellence Award is a moment of validation, but not the final goal.

“This is just the start,” Mr Davidson said.

“If we can shift perceptions about what’s possible in regional housing, then we’ve done our job.

“We’ve always believed that sustainability isn’t about one big feature, it’s about a million little decisions that add up to something better.”

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