Schools Infrastructure New South Wales have commissioned this report into the case for developing schools in NSW to the Passive House standard

See Talina Edwards present at the Natural Building Australia tent, where there are talks about sustainable housing all weekend long.

Read about lessons learnt from living in Sydney’s first Certified Passivhaus - with thanks to our wonderful clients who've been tracking data (both quantitative and qualitative).

Listen to this podcast interview with Andy Marlow where he shares his expertise of how Passivhaus works in different climate zones across Australia.

Part 2 of Sanctuary magazine's feature on biophilic design explores bringing nature home: infusing home interiors with natural forms and features.

The ‘look’ of a home tells you nothing about its quality Envirotecture Director Andy Marlow was interviewed for the House Planning Help Podcast earlier this year – which was an interesting and informative

Envirotecture’s director Andy Marlow had the privilege of sharing details about the relationship between airtightness and thermal comfort with Gabrielle from Home Organization Science Lab. During this conversation Andy and Gabriella intricate connection

After three wet summers in Australia, the forecast has shifted to hot and dry. Jacinta Cleary reports on how to save money, stay comfortable and keep cool at home and in the community this summer.

Andy Marlow joins the Passive House podcast to discuss the unique challenges of designing Passivhaus buildings in Australia's increasingly hot and varied climate.

EXPERTS EXPLORE: Andy Marlow on indoor air quality in increasingly airtight homes

BUILDING A NEW NORMAL’ A SUSTAINABLE WAY FORWARD

A “passive house” design means you can step back and let your home do the work to keep you comfortable. This type of build is gaining momentum in Australia, favoured for its energy efficiency and consistent interior temperature. Come heatwave or wintry blast, it’ll be remarkably pleasant inside

Australian schools are underperforming in terms of energy efficiency and indoor environment quality. We talk to some architects who believe that the rigorous Passive House standard could help turn that around.

A central aim of designing or retrofitting a sustainable home is to minimise heating and cooling needs. By paying attention to the building envelope and passive strategies like cross ventilation and thermal mass, dramatic reductions in energy use – and bills – are possible. But even well-designed homes often require some mechanical cooling to keep comfortable in summer. Ceiling fans are a good option as they are relatively low energy users; they can also boost the effectiveness of your heating in winter.

Almost a decade since Black Saturday and the subsequent introduction of Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) ratings, many people are still grappling with this aspect of the building regulations. Building designer Dick Clarke unpacks his experiences with the standard, and suggests ways to improve its workability.

Certified Passive House is gaining traction in Australia, especially with sustainable designers and builders. But why are people embracing a voluntary building standard, and what does it offer that passive solar design does not?

Wondering which glazing is most suitable for your house and climate? Lance Turner and Dick Clarke introduce you to the delicate art of window selection, and explain the key terms and concepts to get you started.

Many green roofs don’t get past being a ‘good idea’, but with some knowledge and planning you can follow through on your desire to green up high, writes Dick Clarke.

Concrete floor slabs are a standard way to embed thermal mass in passive design, but is it always the right approach? Dick Clarke explains the benefits and design considerations for using concrete, and some alternatives.

We need to think differently when designing or adapting a home to better cope with the multiple adverse impacts of climate change. Dick Clarke and Chris Reardon look at smarter ways to prepare for heatwaves.

At Envirotecture we have a reputation for being militant anti-air conditioning. This is almost entirely true. But why? There are oh so many reasons. Here I look at the problem of peak demand