A home that looks after you (and takes care of the environment)
Passivhaus is an objective, thoroughly proven international standard that creates radically energy efficient buildings. They maintain a supremely comfortable temperature year round with minimal heating and cooling energy and the air inside is always fresh and clean. They are a big step up in quality and durability too.
Passivhaus quality is ensured by clever design and innovative building materials and systems. But successful Passivhaus projects are more than ventilation systems and tilt-turn windows. At the heart of every Passivhaus building is an energy model calculated at the early design stage. That makes sure the building is perfectly tuned to its specific climate and its site, money is well spent and there’s no unintended consequences.
Passivhaus certification is carried out by an independent, third party expert. The cost is minimal in terms of the overall budget and the external review and tests keeps everyone on the design and build team focused on the part they play in the building’s success. Certification is the building owner’s guarantee that they’re getting what they paid for.
“Thornleigh Passivhaus is a special project, the first Passivhaus I designed and in fact the first to be certified in NSW. The homeowners came to us already knowing what they wanted. Passivhaus was a big learning curve for our team but we didn’t start from scratch.
Designing using passive solar principles was baked into our bones and it had taught us some fundamental things about designing for comfort and health. Passivhaus was an evolution for Envirotecture, not a revolution. It’s predictive and verifiable and that gives me tools to create radically energy-efficient, healthy homes that my clients absolutely love living in.
There’s some pretty big side benefits for this house too, which is wedged between a major rail line and a busy road. The triple glazing and quality building envelope mean it’s really peaceful inside. Freight trains rumbling past at 4am don’t disturb anyone’s sleep.”
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— Andy Marlow
Director, Envirotecture
