Whilst a picture may say a thousand words and in this case, look elegant and beautiful, what it fails to show you is how damn comfortable, resilient and energy efficient this Melbourne Passive House is.

For us, this photo is more than just a money shot. It is years of progression, mistakes, reading, learning, growing, becoming better, and pushing ourselves to find a better alternative to what our industry offers. As Passive House Builders, this has challenged us to be better than we have ever been before.

But let’s talk about some facts behind this home:
- this home sits at .41ACH @ 50pascals, 3860% tighter than the average Australian home!
- all of our windows are triple-glazed uPVC
- the heating demand for this home is 13.9kWh/m2a
- the cooling demand for this home is 7kWh/m2a
- we have R9.0 ceiling, R5 wall and R5 floor insulation
- we have installed a Zehnder Q350 HRV for mechanical ventilation
- 6.6kw solar has been installed on the roof
- this is the first Passivhaus in Melbourne’s Inner West
- these are not hypothetical numbers; this is something that is tested and proven!

Very few homes rival the level of detail in this home. From taping complex junctions to thinking about airtightness with every decision we made challenged us in so many ways. We believe this is the ultimate form of a sustainable home.

But I am so proud of what we produced, more than any project we have ever completed. Our journey to find and complete our first Passivhaus project didn’t happen overnight. It was a challenge but one we thoroughly enjoyed.

Passive House, also known as Passivhaus, is an energy-efficient building standard that originated in Germany in the 1990s. It has gained significant recognition worldwide, including in Melbourne, Australia. The importance of Passive House in Melbourne lies in its ability to address energy efficiency, comfort, and sustainability challenges in the built environment. Here are some key reasons why Passive House is important in Melbourne:

1. Energy Efficiency: Passive House design principles focus on minimizing energy consumption for heating and cooling. Melbourne experiences a wide range of climatic conditions, including hot summers and cold winters. By adopting Passive House standards, buildings can significantly reduce their energy requirements for heating and cooling, leading to substantial energy savings and lower utility bills for occupants.

2. Thermal Comfort: Passive House buildings prioritize thermal comfort for occupants by creating a stable and pleasant indoor environment throughout the year. They employ high-quality insulation, airtight construction, and advanced ventilation systems to maintain consistent temperatures, minimize drafts, and eliminate cold spots or overheating. This is particularly crucial in Melbourne's variable climate, ensuring occupants can enjoy comfortable living conditions regardless of external weather conditions.

3. Indoor Air Quality: Melbourne's urban areas can be affected by air pollution and outdoor allergens. Passive House buildings incorporate efficient mechanical ventilation systems with high-quality filters that ensure a constant supply of fresh, filtered air while expelling stale air. This helps maintain excellent indoor air quality, reducing the impact of outdoor pollutants and allergens on occupants' health.

   
   
   Photographs - Jade Cantwell