Certified Passive House builders in Melbourne
The standard isn't good enough. But we are. We're a residential builder in Melbourne's inner west and north who only builds certified Passive Houses, high performance homes and EnerPHit retrofits. Healthier, optimised, more comfortable. We build homes that just feel better.
Not your typical builder
Hi, I'm Matt, but mum prefers you call me Matthew. Before building I studied a Bachelor of Science and Nutrition. It wasn't for me as a career, but understanding what the body needs to thrive, and what our homes do to us over time, shaped everything about how I build.
In 2019 I did my Passive House tradesperson training and it changed everything. So we made a decision. High performance only, no more standard builds. It was scary, but it was right.
Then my wife and I built our own certified Passive House in Yarraville. I sat in the same seat our clients sit in, sweated the budget and made big decisions under pressure. It made me a better builder, and it's something I bring to every home we build.
- 2017Builder's licence, after a carpentry apprenticeship.
- 2019Passive House training, and the decision to build high performance homes only.
- 2023Our first certified Passive House is completed, Forrest Passive House in Spotswood.
- 2024Retrofit Rifle becomes, to our knowledge, the first volume built home in Australia certified to EnerPHit.
- 2025Retrofit Rifle and Champion Passive House are Sustainability Awards finalists, and Pigeon Passive House airs on Grand Designs Australia.
- 2026Pigeon Passive House is certified Passive House Plus and named a Sustainability Awards finalist.
Proof, not promises
Anyone can call themselves a Passive House builder. Here's what we've actually done, from certified homes and industry awards to national television.
Certified Passive Houses across Melbourne's inner west and north, from EnerPHit retrofits to new builds. Every one blower door tested and independently certified, with results from 0.26 to 0.49 ACH50.
Finalists two years running
- 2026Shortlisted for Sustainable Builder/Developer of the Year
- 2026Finalist, Single Residential Dwelling, for Pigeon Passive House
- 2025Finalist, Single Dwelling (New), for Champion Passive House
- 2025Finalist, Single Dwelling, Alteration and Addition, for Retrofit Rifle
Grand Designs Australia
Our founder's own home, Pigeon Passive House, featured in Season 12, Episode 10, "Yarraville Pigeon", on the ABC. It's now certified Passive House Plus, with an airtightness result of 0.26 ACH50.
Read the storyFeatured in
- Sanctuary magazine, with Forrest Passive House on the front cover and Retrofit Rifle in issue 72
- Passive House Plus, the international Passive House magazine, featuring Forrest Passive House
- The Design Files, featuring Retrofit Rifle
Co-host of Mindful Builder
Our founder Matt Carland co-hosts Mindful Builder with Hamish White, a podcast with honest conversations about building science and better ways to build homes in Australia.
Listen nowPushing the industry forward
- Australian Passive House Conference, where we spoke on the builders panel, presented Retrofit Rifle and hosted a builders forum
- Retrofit Rifle, the first conversion of a volume builder home into a certified Passive House, to the EnerPHit standard
- Invited panel speaker at the Passivhaus Association RetroFIT launch in June 2026
- Retrofit Rifle featured in the Passivhaus Association's Retrofit Month in June 2026
- Educators on social media, sharing how to build better homes with anyone who'll listen
What we build
Whatever level you're building to, the obsession over detail doesn't change.
We don't build for energy efficiency. We build for durability.
Most homes built in Australia today will need significant remediation work within twenty years, from moisture in the wall cavity and failing seals to degraded insulation and structural damage that started behind the plasterboard on day one. That's not bad luck. It's what happens when you build to the minimum and call it done.
A home built for durability doesn't have those problems, and that's not down to better marketing language. It comes from better materials, better details and a refusal to cut the corners the industry has normalised. A home that doesn't rot, doesn't leak and doesn't fail is a home that doesn't need to work hard to stay warm, because the building envelope does the job the heater is doing in most Australian homes.
That's durability, and that's energy efficiency. They're the same thing.
What we actually believe
- Homes should make you healthierFresh, filtered air, no mould and no damp. Health comes first, always.
- Comfort shouldn't be seasonalWarm in winter, cool in summer and cheap to run, every day of the year.
- Built to last decadesWe obsess over the airtightness, water management and insulation behind the walls, so your home stays durable.
- Test it, don't guess itEvery layer photographed and every certified home blower door tested and independently verified.
- Share what we learnWe post our detailing as we go, failures included, and talk building science on our podcast, The Mindful Builder.
- Get everyone in the room earlyClient, architect, consultants and builder, together from day one. That's how budgets and designs stay on track.
Why people choose us
We've done it, not just studied it
- Plenty of builders have done the training. Very few have built multiple certified Passive Houses.
- Our expertise was earned on the tools, behind the walls and through every blower door test we've ever run.
- A skilled team on site, and trades who have learnt to build the Passive House way alongside us.
Our process is dialled in
- Two independent estimators give you an honest budget before construction starts.
- Work with your own Passive House architect, or let us design and construct it for you.
- Fortnightly client meetings and a site lead on every job. See how we work.
Looking for the best Passive House builders in Melbourne?
Don't take anyone's word for it, including ours. Ask any builder for their Passive House certificates and blower door test results. We're often called a green builder or a sustainable builder, and we'd rather show you the numbers. Here's ours.
- Certified Passive Houses across the inner west and north, with airtightness results from 0.26 to 0.49 ACH50.
- Grand Designs Australia, Season 12, Episode 10, Pigeon Passive House.
- 2026 Sustainability Awards finalist for Pigeon Passive House, and shortlisted for Sustainable Builder/Developer of the Year.
- 2025 Sustainability Awards finalists for Retrofit Rifle and Champion Passive House.
- Australian Passive House Conference, where we've spoken on a panel.
- Sanctuary and Passive House Plus magazines, featuring Forrest Passive House and Retrofit Rifle.
Custom architectural builders in inner Melbourne
We've collaborated with some of Melbourne's best Passive House architects and designers, and we love building homes with real character. Whether it's a heritage frontage, a tight infill block or a one of a kind design, we bring the building science and the craftsmanship to match.
Where we work
We're a sustainable home builder based in Footscray, building across Melbourne's inner west, inner north and inner city, including:
Don't see your suburb? If you're in Melbourne, get in touch and we'll let you know if we can help.
Don't just take our word for it
★★★★★ 4.8 from 19 Google reviews
A home that we don't need to do anything to live comfortably in. It's given me back time to enjoy my home, rather than working on it to keep us comfortable.Retrofit Rifle EnerPHit client, Williamstown
We are coming up on two years post completion, and we can confidently say that our new home is incredibly comfortable and beautifully built. The attention to detail is evident throughout, and the quality of craftsmanship is truly outstanding.Passive House client, Google review
One of our biggest worries was choosing a good builder, we'd heard the horror stories! We've got the home we wanted AND a great relationship with our builder.Passive House client, Google review
The team held regular fortnightly onsite meetings to ensure we were always up to speed. We genuinely felt like they were an extension of our family. The performance of our passive house is simply unparalleled.Passive House client, Google review
We were involved in discussions and asked for our input AHEAD of when decisions needed making. It meant we had no nasty surprises or disappointments.Passive House client, Google review
Great attention to detail, felt like a genuine partner. Willing to listen and discuss what we wanted while bringing their own thoughts to the table. Very satisfied with the outcome.Forrest Passive House client, Spotswood
We have been left with a legacy of comfort, energy efficiency and satisfaction, and we have a well built and certified home for our family to enjoy for many years to come.EnerPHit retrofit client, Google review
I don't think Matt is capable of doing a crappy job and that's what he expects from his whole team as well. Five years later our house still looks amazing and functions A LOT better than it ever did before.Homeowner, Google review
There was genuine respect and care between the team, and everyone took pride in their work. The handover was very thorough, with a detailed guide covering the materials used in our home and how to care for them.Homeowner, Google review
They delivered in the agreed timeframe and budget. Matt was always very honest and upfront about the difficulties we could encounter and had plans and options to help us decide and get through.Homeowner, Google review
Matt is great to work with. Reliable, approachable, and always focused on getting the best outcome for the project and our clients.Altereco Design, after more than 8 years working together
Matt gets involved early through the ECI stage, to help us value manage from the outset so we can stay on track with the budget, and his input at this stage is invaluable.Altereco Design
Matt is a true leader in the building industry, always striving to do better and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.Geometrica, building design practice
Their ability to workshop solutions when challenges arise ensures the best outcome for both the client and the project. A fantastic Passive House builder and an absolute pleasure to work with.Interior designer, Google review
It's incredibly refreshing having a builder wanting to resolve construction details and building methods before they're on site. It makes our job so much easier and more enjoyable.Industry partner, Google review
During mandatory inspections, their onsite team is always cooperative, well prepared and respectful. It's clear they prioritise quality and doing the right thing by both the client and the broader building industry.Permit Approvals Plus, Relevant Building Surveyor
It's finally finished.Matt's wife, Pigeon Passive House
Let's chat about your project
Whether you've got plans drawn up or just a dream and a block of land, we'd love to hear about it. No pressure and no obligation, just a conversation. You can also meet the team behind every build.
Let's chat about your project