The Hearth
Building a community in the Huon Valley
The Hearth will be a sustainable, collaborative micro-community in the Huon Valley, creating a positive place to live, shaped by the people who will call it home. The aim is to build lightly, live sustainably and establish a welcoming community.
Vision
The Hearth is a half-acre garden site in the heart of a regional small town, 40 minutes from the Hobart CBD. The project will provide four individually owned homes, including one existing four-bedroom house and three new homes ranging from one to three bedrooms, to suit a variety of households.
The homes will share communal spaces and facilities, allowing the future residents to decide together what is most useful—from a productive garden and workshop to a fire pit, sauna or even a guest space. Sustainability is central to the project.
Planning approval is anticipated in early 2027, with construction to commence later in 2027.
This project has been conceived by Green Design Architects. It offers a progressive, architect-led way to create a small, friendly neighbourhood with like-minded people. As a pragmatic procurement model, the process is driven by the future owners rather than by a conventional property developer.
This project has been conceived by Green Design Architects. It offers a progressive, architect-led way to create a small, friendly neighbourhood with like-minded people. As a pragmatic procurement model, the process is driven by the future owners rather than by a conventional property developer.
Action
The Build Collective
Known by the German name of Baugruppe, a build collective brings together a group of individuals or families to create homes as a shared project. Participants will work with the architect and builder from an early stage, making it easy to engage with the design and construction process. Together, they can help shape the homes, shared spaces and facilities around their needs and priorities.
The houses at The Hearth will be individually owned, with each home held under its own strata title. Shared ownership and responsibilities will apply to common areas and agreed facilities. By working together from the outset, the future community can begin to grow before the homes are built, as relationships, trust and shared intentions develop throughout the process. We are now inviting people to join the conversation and explore becoming part of The Hearth.
The houses at The Hearth will be individually owned, with each home held under its own strata title. Shared ownership and responsibilities will apply to common areas and agreed facilities. By working together from the outset, the future community can begin to grow before the homes are built, as relationships, trust and shared intentions develop throughout the process. We are now inviting people to join the conversation and explore becoming part of The Hearth.
Sustainability
Sustainability is central to the project. The homes are being designed to achieve 9-star energy performance, with Passive House certification optional for those who choose it. They will be solar-powered and grid-connected, designed for operational carbon neutrality and a pathway towards true carbon zero by 2050. Local, healthy materials, rainwater collection, water-sensitive design and generous garden space will further support a low-impact way of living.
Curious?
To get involved, contact us with your thoughts, ideas or expression of interest.
Info TheHearth.net.au
Info TheHearth.net.au
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the South East Nation, the Melukerdee people of the Huon River.