When it comes to building the family home in Canberra, IT engineer Damien Lederer wants it filled with every whizz-bang feature his hi-tech brain can create. Computer-controlled blinds, clear to opaque glass, a two-storey helical glass staircase and a custom-designed, air-powered laundry chute are all on the table. As well as a house that can think for itself, Damien wants to fuse green building materials with commercial elements to create a zero-carbon house, not an easy task when you're wanting all the latest wizardry and comforts. It's hard to wrap it all up in a strictly green philosophy.