Design Principles

If we listen and respond to what the Earth provides us, we can live in homes that are sustained by the environment around us.

7 Star Energy Rating
(NatHERS)

We specialise in designing homes that meet and exceed the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) 7-Star benchmark. Achieving a 7-Star rating means your home will be thermally efficient, naturally comfortable year-round, and require minimal heating and cooling.

From the early design stage, we work closely with you to optimise your home’s performance. This includes detailed modelling of the building fabric, selecting high-performance insulation and carefully specifying glazing to balance light, solar gain and thermal control.

We also consider your home’s overall energy demand - from air conditioning systems to hot water units, lighting, and appliances - to reduce reliance on grid energy. Where possible, we explore ways to offset this demand with solar panels, battery storage, and energy-efficient systems, setting your home up for low running costs and long-term sustainability.

Cape Paterson, Victoria - 7 Star Energy Rating

Passive House
(Passivhaus)

We’re passionate about designing high-performance homes that are as beautiful as they are efficient. Passive House is one of the most rigorous energy efficiency standards in the world - focused on delivering exceptional thermal comfort, airtightness and ultra-low energy use.

With evolving technology and the demand for Passive House growing in Australia, great design doesn't have to be compromised. It’s possible to have a beautiful home while still meeting the highest standards in performance.

When clients are interested in pursuing Passive House certification, we collaborate from the outset with Passive House Certifiers and Passive House Builders to form a trusted team and to determine the most appropriate level of certification. This integrated approach ensures that every detail, from thermal bridging to ventilation systems, is considered, modelled and executed to Passive House standards.

Phillip Island, Victoria - Passive House

Passive Design Principles

  • Taking advantage of the sun’s low angle in winter to bring warmth into the home and using thoughtful shading like eaves and roof overhangs to block the sun’s higher angle in summer, we can regulate the temperature of your home naturally.

  • By carefully positioning windows to capture natural breezes, we can create passive ventilation that cools your home without the need for mechanical systems.

  • High-density materials like concreate, brick and rammed earth can be used to regulate indoor temperatures. In winter, when exposed to sunlight, these materials absorb and store heat during the day, then release it slowly at night as temperatures drop.

    In Summer, with proper shading, the materials remain cool and help to draw excess heat out of the air.

    In this way, regardless of the season, you have a comfortable indoor environment.

  • Whether we are aiming for a high start rating or a certified Passive House, we collaborate with specialists to ensure insulation is modelled and calculated properly for long-term comfort and efficiency.

  • Our main focus is the design. We create homes that reflect your lifestyle - balancing flow, function and feeling.