Envirotecture participated in the THRIVE Passivhaus Conference 2024, where our teams from both NSW and VIC studios came together for intellectual stimulation and lively debates. It was an enriching opportunity for learning and collaboration.

Three prominent themes emerged from the conference.

1. Beyond Passivhaus – Embracing Holistic Ecological Design

Envirotecture, acknowledged as national leaders in the Passivhaus standard, has been at the forefront of designing low-energy projects for over 25 years. Our portfolio includes a diverse range of projects such as homes, offices, schools, community colleges, and even eco cabins tailored for vineyards.

What truly invigorates us is how Passivhaus seamlessly integrates into the broader canvas of holistic ecological design. Our Director, Talina Edwards, eloquently showcased this concept through our project, the Huff n’ Puff Haus, nestled in the picturesque Strathbogie Ranges of Victoria. This biophilic strawbale home, off-grid and Passivhaus Premium Certified, not only minimizes energy consumption but also fosters deep connections with the environment. By prioritizing whole life carbon reduction, we are paving the way for a sustainable future that our children can take pride in.

The benefits of embracing an ecological design approach were further underscored by Timothy Lock (Opal Architecture, USA) through his case study of The Bridge in Maine, USA. This 12,000 sqft academic building seamlessly integrates into its surroundings, minimizing environmental impact while ensuring full accessibility.

Source: https://www.opalarch.us/waring_school/

2. Timber, Timber, Timber

Throughout the THRIVE Passivhaus Conference 2024, mass timber projects, particularly cross-laminated timber (CLT) constructions, stole the spotlight.

One standout project was the ANMF House, designed by Bayley Ward and constructed by Multiplex. This high-rise building, dedicated to providing short-stay accommodation for Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation members, stands as a beacon of sustainable architecture. Featuring a cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure, the building not only reduces embodied carbon emissions but also creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for its occupants. Retaining the heritage façades of the Central Club Hotel and even housing a Passivhaus certified Whiskey Bar in the basement, a must-visit destination! (The Envirotecture team visited and can highly recommend!)

Source: https://www.architecture.com.au/archives/awards/anmf-house-bayley-ward

Another noteworthy demonstration came from Knut Menden, showcasing mass timber modular construction with projects like a modular residential house in Wagga Wagga and demountable classrooms for the German International School in Sydney. Erected on-site within days, these structures not only offer rapid construction but also contribute significantly to carbon sequestration. Despite shipping CLT panels from Europe, the carbon emissions were surprisingly, the equivalent to a 500km journey by road.

Source: https://www.bettiundknut.com.au/clt-passivhaus-copy

Envirotecture acknowledges the impressive showcase of CLT projects at THRIVE, yet emphasizes the paramount importance for the building industry to minimize overall raw material usage. Our unwavering focus lies in astutely scrutinising the client’s requirements and advocating for the reuse of existing structures whenever feasible, complemented by a Passivhaus deep retrofit. In instances where new construction is unavoidable, we advocate for making buildings smaller. While mass timber structures present a viable alternative, particularly for our larger projects transitioning from concrete or steel, the traditional approach of timber framing remains a valid and respected option.

3. Retrofit and EnerPHit

At THRIVE, a new emphasis emerged on the vital topic of deep retrofitting existing buildings. This shift marked a significant milestone in the conference’s history, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of upgrading older structures to meet modern energy efficiency standards.

Envirotecture stands at the forefront of this movement, boasting a track record of successful execution and consultation on numerous deep retrofit projects to Passivhaus standards, including the groundbreaking achievement of being the Passivhaus Designers for one of Sydney’s first certified EnerPHit projects. A notable example is our ‘Copa Came In From The Cold’ project on the Central Coast, completed in 2021 which is testament to our expertise in transforming underperforming Australian homes into showcases of deep retrofit excellence.

Envirotecture’s design ethos was to celebrate the dramatic crucifix form of the original house to unlocking the sites potential. By strategically removing a poorly situated bedroom, we unlocked the site’s full potential, allowing for the seamless extension of kitchen and living spaces into a spacious outdoor room and connection to majestic trees and bush beyond. It received a Highly Commended Award at the Sustainability Awards last year for the improvements to the function, comfort and indoor environment quality of this home for many years to come.

Through strategic interventions such as enhanced insulation, double-glazed windows, and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), coupled with the integration of solar panels and Tesla batteries, we achieved remarkable gains in energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Moreover, our commitment to sustainability is evident in the reuse of original timber cladding, seamlessly blending modern comfort with timeless aesthetics to create a luminous, inviting space.

The client said: “Thank you to all involved, we love living in this comfortable house. The thermal improvement of the house has been extraordinary. Whereas before, the wood stove had to burn 24/7 in winter to make the house bearable, we now get away with a blast of RCAC heat in the early mornings and evenings in the winter. In the summer it is just wonderful to sit on the new deck with the cool south easterly breeze blowing through.”

Envirotecture extends our expertise through a specialized consultancy service, offering guidance to design professionals and builders on enhancing building performance incrementally, up to Passivhaus standards. Interested parties can reach out via our website or contact us directly.

Sophie Weiner/Arup’s presentation on Day 2 of the conference echoed the sentiment of improving our existing building stock, highlighting the transformative potential of retrofitting existing structures to revitalise urban landscapes and honour architectural heritage. Weiner shared insights from an EnerPHit feasibility study focused on a 1960s high-rise residential building in Melbourne. The study underscored the importance of not only upgrading the building’s fabric but also transitioning to electrified heating systems, such as heat pumps, to achieve Passivhaus standards. This holistic approach reflects a broader shift towards sustainable urban development and a commitment to reducing carbon emissions in the built environment.

A theoretical analysis of retrofitting approaches for mid-rise apartments (from our industry colleagues Lynden Thorley and Alex Symes at the conference) looked at the feasibility of improving this typology to meet Passivhaus standards – all more proof to show what’s possible.

Source: https://www.eraarch.ca/projects/ken-soble-tower-transformation/

The THRIVE conference closed with our Director Andy Marlow, hosting a captivating Q&A session featuring tips and tricks from Passivhaus certifiers, layering practical insights and expertise to the conference presentations. Key takeaways (reminders!) for how to successfully deliver Passivhaus projects included the benefits of early engagement with certifiers, site supervision for quality control, and ensuring you have a knowledgeable and experienced team onboard. (We can’t help but notice that this advice is mentioned every year since the first Australian Passivhaus conference we attended in 2016!).

Passivhaus Accelerator has just released a podcast episode sharing some key highlights from the THRIVE conference from our Directors Talina and Andy, along with some of our Australian Passivhaus cohort.

The THRIVE Passivhaus Conference 2024 served as a testament to the evolving landscape of sustainable architecture, where innovation and environmental stewardship converge to shape a greener tomorrow.