The accidental development
A pair of Melbourne retirees-turned-developers sets the standard for ‘empty nests’ of the future, building their ultimate sustainable home and a couple more for good measure.
Read moreTicking all boxes
Jenni and Lance’s 8.7-Star Perth home is designed for excellent thermal performance, ageing in place, health, community connection and a love of gardening.
Read moreWedge of calm
Personal setbacks and a seemingly inhospitable location proved no impediment to this architecturally distinctive Passive House in inner Melbourne.
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SubscribeCape crusader
With the first residents well settled in and more high-performing homes under construction, one of Australia’s most ambitious housing developments is setting a precedent for community living. We profile two recently completed homes.
Read moreStrait views
Designed to fit the slope of its block, this snug split-level house incorporates ribbon windows to maximise both views and thermal efficiency.
Read moreBasking in sunlight
Part of the community at The Cape, this Passive House is simple, elegant and fit for ageing in place.
Read moreHemp hemp hooray
Building with hempcrete was the central decision for Geoff’s sustainable owner-built house in the Narara Ecovillage on New South Wales’ Central Coast.
Read moreHouse of comfort
Dylan and Robyn built a small, inexpensive and super-sustainable house in Adelaide using strawbales. Now, they wear t-shirts indoors all year round and get paid by their energy company, rather than paying bills.
Read moreStepping it up
This high-performing Sydney home employs a site-specific design that breaks out of the typical Passive House box while still achieving the energy efficiency and renewable energy requirements.
Read moreExactly enough
A small-footprint, one-bedroom retreat designed for passive solar winter comfort proves perfect for this couple’s lifestyle in northern Tassie.
Read moreMixed media
Chris and Jac staged the design and build of their eclectic off-grid pavilion house in the Gold Coast hinterland to manage the budget and adapt it to the changing needs of their expanding family.
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