Design Approaches

For decades, passive solar design has been the cornerstone of low-energy housing in Australia. It’s a simple yet powerful idea: design your home so it naturally balances sunlight, shade, wind and thermal mass to keep you comfortable year-round. When done well, a passive solar home often needs ... read more

Where passive solar relies on natural energy flows, Passive House (or PassivHaus) takes a more scientific approach. Developed in Germany, Passive House is a rigorous building standard that guarantees year-round comfort and very low energy use. What Defines a Passive House? Temperature stabilit ... read more

A Zero Energy House (ZEH) goes one step further than Passive House. It combines ultra-low energy demand with renewable energy systems sized to cover all of the home’s annual energy use. In simple terms: A Zero Energy House produces as much energy as it consumes. What Makes It Possible? ... read more

At first glance, passive solar and Passive House sound similar – and they are both powerful approaches to low-energy living. But there are important differences. 1. Airtightness Passive Solar: May or may not be airtight; relies mostly on natural ventilation. Passive House: Airtightn ... read more