High-performance features include skylights to draw in sunlight, and double-glazed windows to help absorb sound energy and limit hot and cold airflow. Team these with timber frames that retain heat better than metal versions and provide a buffer against outdoor noise.
A passive house delivers ultimate energy efficiency through inspired insulation, sunlight and an airtight exterior. Like a thermos bottle, it maintains its temperature naturally, sealing any potential leak points.
Blazing a trail in Melbourne’s Hawthorn is Echo by C Street Projects and Neil Architecture, Australia’s first off-the-plan certified passive house project.
The eight north-facing townhouses target net-zero energy use by using sustainable building materials. They provide year-round thermal comfort, improved acoustics and sublime air quality by harnessing natural elements and conserving them.
“Researching the passive house has changed how we look at buildings and shifted our focus on what’s important in a building,” says Michael Robertson, development director at C Street Projects.
“It takes sustainability to the next level, focusing on good orientation, continuous thermal insulation, airtight structure and lower energy consumption.”
Robertson says Echo represents a “movement for change” in Australia.
“It is clear passive house principles are how the industry is moving globally over the next decade,” he says. “The passive house is the pathway to a net-zero position, and once you experience its benefits, you don’t look back.”
Similarly in Western Sydney, The Fairwater development by Frasers Property is the first 6 Star Green Star community in NSW.
Located close to Blacktown CBD, it comprises about 830 houses and apartments, all of which are designed to be as energy-efficient as possible.
The development also boasts the largest use of geothermal technology in the southern hemisphere.
The path forward
With change comes considerable strides for our nation, says certified passive house designer Seamus Ryan.
“In new developments, energy sharing is emerging, allowing communities to benefit from combining and sharing renewable energy,” he says.
“With solar power widely available, the next step is battery storage becoming more affordable and viable.
“Our clients are seeing the benefits of spending extra on good-quality building products and insulation that make a home perform all year round and minimise energy bills.”
And in terms of return on investment when it comes to selling a low-emissions home – as the Domain Sustainability in Property report reveals – in Australia, houses and units that have energy-efficient features sell at a higher price than those without; $125,000 more for houses and $72,750 for units.
Australian banks, including CommBank and Bank Australia, are following the lead of those in Europe, offering green home loans that reward borrowers for buying, building or renovating a property to make it sustainable.
Ryan says it’s a significant step in the right direction, adding that “lower interest rates, paired with lowering operating costs, will offset the initial investment of sustainable building products and design services in the future”.
More than ever, building a sustainable home requires considered research and awareness.
“Sitting down with an architect to discuss sustainable building products and design informs your decisions,” Ryan says.