“Should we just knock it down and start again?” is regularly how a conversation with new clients begins. There’s no magic answer but this handy guide walks homeowners through the decision-making process.

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

This edition of one of our favourite magazines features one of our projects that's "on the drawing board" and has BIG sustainability and regenerative ambitions.

ANOTHER SITE TOUR! We are so grateful to be working with such wonderful builders who want to help share their knowledge about building better! When people visit a completed Passivhaus for the first

A huge congratulations to Nick from Sowden Building Solutions who has won the national 2024 HIA Australian GreenSmart Renovation/Addition Project award.

Join our Director Andy Marlow for a free tour of a retrofit project under construction at Fairfield, NSW at 2pm on Saturday 31 August. The home has been stripped back to the bones,

This 1884 terrace in the heart of Sydney has been renovated to meet the rigorous EnerPHit performance standard.

Because it was there… Join us for a construction stage site tour of this EnerPHit project at East Lindfield. This large double brick home is being bought

EVOLUTION OF SUSTAINABLE HOUSE DESIGN Sustainable House Day has existed in various forms for over 20 years! These events have been true catalysts for the sharing knowledge about more sustainable ways to design

Off-grid and eco-friendly, the Huff'n'Puff Haus is a strawbale home in Australia's Strathbogie Ranges, designed for sustainability and aging in place.

Sustainability Awards 2023: HIGHLY COMMENDED Single Dwelling (Alteration) – Copa Came in from the Cold Envirotecture were thrilled to recently receive a #highlycommended at the 2023 Sustainability Awards in the Single Dwelling (Alteration) category! Copa

Are you planning on heading to Sydney Build Expo on 6-7 March? See Envirotecture director, Andy Marlow, speak on the 7th March at 3pm on the CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND SAFETY STAGE at ICC

Director Andy Marlow on the possibilities of more equitable policy on energy efficiency if we took a leaf out of the Scottish book; set the goals first, then work through how to get there….

In a quiet street in Sydney's northern suburbs stands New South Wales' first Passivhaus Premium certified building. The residential home is the result of more than five years of painstaking research and planning by a family determined to future-proof its investment against climate change. By Sean McGowan

This high-performing Sydney home employs a site-specific design that breaks out of the typical Passivhaus box while still achieving the energy efficiency and renewable energy requirements.

BUILDING A NEW NORMAL’ A SUSTAINABLE WAY FORWARD

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.

Late last year, a house designed by Dick Clarke of Envirotecture burnt to the ground in the Gospers Mountain bushfire. Dick investigates why the house burned, and what can be learned to help rebuild it and other houses in fire-prone areas so that it’s less likely to happen again.

Often poor performing and riddled with asbestos, is Australia’s ubiquitous fibro shack worth keeping? These two families on opposite sides of the country said yes, opting for renovations and extensions that vastly improved the liveability of their humble homes.

Dion and Amy Zappacosta’s reno included some interesting material choices, including a raised timber fl oor rather than a concrete slab, recycled materials and eco-fi nishes. They describe how they went about it, and the results.

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.

In this edition, we explore the best material choices for bushfire-prone areas, comparing ModWood and concrete for heat retention and reflection.

This issue covers two key renovation challenges: managing air ventilation in a pre-war double-brick house and navigating heritage restrictions for solar panel installations.

In this edition, our experts provide insights into selecting environmentally sustainable materials for bathroom renovations, including waterproofing options, indoor air quality considerations, and long-term durability.

In this issue, we explore two key home-building considerations: underfloor insulation in timber homes and the role of low-e glass in double-glazed windows for extreme climates.