News / Views

Aug 23, 20233 min read

State House to Passive House 8 – Step 4 – Let's Go Shopping (for windows and ventilation)

The initial modelling gives a proof of concept. It should give an idea of what type of construction, and insulation levels you need. It...

Aug 2, 20233 min read

When I was at architecture school, (a few years ago), I remember going on a tour of a recently completed building with the architect. It...

Jul 12, 20233 min read

Retrofits are a bit like belly buttons. Are you an Innie or an Outie? This is the key decision you need to make at the beginning of your...

Jun 20, 20232 min read

If it's good information in, and good information out, the first step is playing detective and finding as much information as possible...

Jun 5, 20232 min read

How should you go about a deep retrofit of an existing house? These are our 10 steps. Coincidently, the excellent Reimagine Buildings...

May 8, 20232 min read

1. Compact Form or Surface Area to Volume Ratio or Form Factor Sketch of the house's thermal envelope The compactness of the...

Apr 26, 20232 min read

I had told myself that I would never again refurbish an old house. What went wrong? Apart from living in a construction site with babies?...

Apr 25, 20231 min read

The best quick description of Passive House we have seen. Great clear summary. Its not crazy hard. There is no wackadoodle (good, we...

Apr 11, 20232 min read

This is the first in a series on the retrofit of a 1940’s ex-state house. Through the next few months and maybe longer we will use this...

Oct 24, 20214 min read

How we investigated creating a certified Passive House school building, how we failed, what we learnt and how it was still the right...