Visit this pioneering Melbourne renovation project that’s aiming for Passivhaus Certification and implementing Living Building Challenge ethos.
The Biophilic Bungalow is a pioneering regenerative renovation of a century-old California Bungalow in Victoria. Rejecting the conventional "knock-down-rebuild" model, this project transforms an aging home into a high-performance sanctuary designed to restore both human wellbeing and ecological health. Central to the design is the pursuit of the rigorous Passivhaus certification, creating an ultra-efficient, airtight envelope that provides world-class thermal comfort and pristine indoor air quality year-round.
The project features an all-electric, energy-positive profile, indigenous landscaping to restore local biodiversity, and a circular approach that diverted over 80% of construction waste from landfill. The Biophilic Bungalow demonstrates that suburban renovations can be energy positive, carbon neutral, water resilient, zero waste, healthy and nature positive, inspiring a necessary shift toward life-affirming housing for the future.
Attendees will gain practical insights into:
- The principles of airtight, vapour-open, and energy-efficient building design.
- How precision prefabrication improves build quality, reduces waste, and shortens construction timelines.
- The use of natural, carbon-storing materials for healthier, longer-lasting homes.
- How effective moisture management ensures durability and mould-free performance.
Whether you're an architect, builder, or sustainability enthusiast, this tour offers an invaluable look at the future of Australian housing — efficient, elegant, and environmentally responsible.
Architect: Envirotecture
PH Consultant: Detail Green
Builder: Martin Builders/The Sociable Weaver group
Engineer: Northrop
Certifier: HIP V. HYPE
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