Mahalath Halperin Architects

Mahalath Halperin, FRAIA, is a registered Architect (NSW ARB 5054) and an Environmental Consultant, working for over 30 years in regional NSW.

Qualifications include B.Sc (Arch), B.Arch, Cert IV in Carbon Management, Cert IV in NatHERS Assessment and various assessor accreditation for energy, water, waste and carbon ratings.

Both Mahalath and her husband Joc Coventry have a PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate) and will be following up with Restrosuburbia Train-the-Trainer workshops (COVID restrictions pending).

We live and work in our own award-winning carbon-neutral home and garden.

Sustainable Architecture
More than just design and documentation, we take our Clients along the journey with as much (or as little) involvement as they want. From the initial inquiry through to a post-occupancy visit, we provide;

• Development of the brief
• Initial Sketch Designs
• Design Development
• Full construction documentation
• Accredited Energy Ratings
• Environmental assessments and advice

Environment
As an accredited energy and carbon management assessor, the use of rating tools and the knowledge associated are intrinsic to our designs, not an after-thought once the project is complete. This allows us to try different options as we go, working out the best bang for your buck (eg, do I double glaze or up the insulation?) as appropriate to your site, budget and long-term needs. Many design decisions have multiple uses – pay for it once, use it multiple times (eg a partial internal masonry wall adds thermal mass, divides a room, creates privacy, allows for artwork).

While we provide energy ratings for new homes, our projects invariably outperform the expected ratings – mainly due to innovative materials and behavioural issues not accounted for in the rating software. Our own home, monitored for over 3 years, while only rated 6.4 stars, performs constantly between 9-9.5 for winter, and 10 stars for the remainder of the year.

We provide the following accredited services:

• Domestic – NatHERS Energy Ratings using Accurate software (and soon to also include HERO)
  
• Commercial – NABERS Ratings for Offices & Hotels, (Energy, Water, Waste & Tenancy Lighting Assessment), Carbon Neutral Certification, and RACRL (Residential Aged Care & Retirement Living - Energy & Water) Carbon Management Reduction Plans (businesses)

Zero emissions or carbon neutral?

Whichever you aspire to, we can help you get there. All our projects are strongly focused on reducing their carbon footprint, both during construction and when in operation. Payback becomes a no-brainer when you look at the bigger issues of our sustainable future.

HELP™
Through HELP™ (Holistic Environmental Lifestyle Planning) we offer a Green Concierge Service – whether that’s advice on a solar hot water system, an energy efficiency audit of your home or a full CMRP (Carbon Management Reduction Plan) for your business. But as well as the report, we can arrange trades and services if you don’t have the time or can’t be home to let them in. It’s about committing rather than just offering advice.

Our practice runs from a residence with both the home and studio carbon-neutral, on the basis of minimal energy usefully offset by on-site generation. The house uses a large amount of recycled and upcycled materials, with a strong emphasis on locally sourced products and services.

When we recommend lifestyle practices to our clients, we ensure we practice these things ourselves – minimal energy and water use, collecting and reusing water, recycling and upcycling in all forms, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and resources, minimal plastic use, minimal vehicle use, growing our own food and sharing with others, being part of our community.

Knowledge Sharing
We have run assorted courses, seminars and workshops over the years, open to the public or industry-specific depending on where and when. From public and business forums and workshops based around reducing your carbon footprint, to training courses for the Australian Institute of Architects on Holistic Sustainable Design, it’s about putting theory into practice for a better quality of life through living and working in better spaces.

We will soon be starting weekend Lifestyle Workshops (Covid restrictions pending) – based around Permaculture and Retrosuburbia principles, spending time on theory, practical exercises, gardening, harvesting, and enjoying the spoils of your efforts, set in the surrounds of our carbon-neutral home and garden. The focus will also be on the fact that it’s ‘Not Just About the House’ but rather a holistic approach to the built environment and how we are a part of it. Contact us if you are interested in attending these workshops.