Passivetech

“But doesn’t an airtight home feel stuffy?” Quite the opposite! At ECHO, airtightness works hand-in-hand with continuous fresh air ventilation. Each home is fitted with a Zehnder HRV system, the lungs of the house, quietly supplying filtered fresh air while removing stale air, pollen and pollutants. The result is a home that simply feels better to live in. ___ FOR SALE: 7 / 360 Auburn Rd Hawthorn is available. See our link in bio for more!

No scripts. No fluff. Just real talk about building science (and a few drinks along the way). 🍻 This month, we’re diving into uncoupled slabs, and the gap between building science theory and what actually happens on site. It’s not just for builders. If you’re an architect, designer, engineer, consultant, or even planning to build your own home, you’ll want to pull up a chair for this one. All you need to do is register, grab a drink, and tune in as our experts break down the nitty-gritty (and occasionally disagree). 🗓️ Thursday, 28th May— 5:00 PM AEST 💻 Free Online Event 🔗 Sign up via the link in our bio or at Join the conversation and be part of a community that’s not afraid to question, learn, and laugh along the way.

Huge thanks to @lucy.architecture for such an awesome design and lay out….. the use of space and functionality is amazing #stayawesome #building #construction #home #diy

No scripts. No fluff. Just real talk about building science (and a few drinks along the way). 🍻 This month, we’re diving into how a builder builds his own home! It’s not just for builders. If you’re an architect, designer, engineer, consultant, or even planning to build your own home, you’ll want to pull up a chair for this one. All you need to do is register, grab a drink, and tune in as our experts break down the nitty-gritty (and occasionally disagree). 🗓️ Thursday, 26th March — 5:00 PM AEST 💻 Free Online Event 🔗 Sign up via the link in our bio or at Join the conversation and be part of a community that’s not afraid to question, learn, and laugh along the way.

This isn’t just a ceiling vent, it’s your clean air delivery system! Drew demonstrates the installation of the Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) ceiling diffuser in an ECHO home. The HRV unit runs continuously, bringing in fresh air from outside and exhausting stale air, all while recovering up to 90% of your heating/cooling energy. That’s how we guarantee cleaner, healthier, and energy-efficient air 24/7. ECHO Hawthorn: Townhouse 8 For Sale. Move in now. #echoprojects #cstreetprojects #passivhaus #HRV #cleanair

SIGN UP NOW!!! We’re back for another round of beer & building science, and this month we’re diving into a topic that sounds simple… until you actually try to do it properly: insulating existing floors! This conversation isn’t just for builders, it’s for anyone: architects, building designers, engineers, interior designers, energy consultants, passive house nerds, people who just like building, people looking to build, tradies, building surveyors, really anyone! And our host for the month: Dylan Farquhar – Alwyn Projects. This event is free, online, and open to everyone, all you need to do is register. 📅 Thursday, December 4 🕔 5 PM AEST 💻 Join from anywhere! Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and tune in as we unpack what REALLY matters when insulating existing floors. Sign up through the link in our bio or at

✨ TONIGHT on Grand Designs Australia! ✨ We’re proud to announce that our Rye Cave House will be featured on @abctv ’s Grand Designs Australia at 8PM! This home is a deeply personal expression of our values and vision — a passive house designed to tread lightly on the environment while embracing bold architectural form. Built using recycled concrete and reclaimed timber, and nestled into the rugged terrain of the Mornington Peninsula, it reflects our commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and connection to place. Shaped by personal experiences and design preferences, Rye Cave House is a story of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of meaningful architecture. We’re excited to share this journey with you. Thanks to the dream team that made it happen @faucetstrommen @paarhammer_windows @brittontimbers @performancemembranesau @passive_tech @surfacespectrum @sbd_consultingengineers @scopeengineering_vic @waterside_roofing @plyco 📺 ABC TV | 8PM Tonight 📲 Streaming on ABC iview Photo @deanbradleyco #GrandDesignsAustralia #RyeCaveHouse #SeasprayHomes #PassiveHouse #SustainableDesign #RecycledConcrete #ReclaimedTimber #MorningtonPeninsula #AustralianArchitecture #CustomHomes #DesignJourney #ABCiview #DreamHome

Pre built Blower Door Test

The Esplanade, a certified Passivhaus Plus that captures the essence of coastal living, where performance meets pleasure. Rammed-earth walls anchor the home to a very steep site, while generous high-performance windows allow great views to the Port Phillip Bay on the south side of the dwelling. Courtyards and verandahs blur the line between inside and out, offering a sanctuary that’s as connected as it is comfortable. It’s a home that lets you enjoy the best of the coastline in every season. Love the coast? Let’s design a home that performs beautifully by the sea. Builder: @originalprojects Rammed earth: @olnee_rammed_earth Windows: @logikhaus.windows Passivhaus Certifier: @detail.green MHRV system: @passive_tech @passivhaus_australia #passivhaus #passivhausdesign #passivehouse #indoorairquality #passivehouseprinciples #healthyhome #regenerativedesign #efficiencyfirst #ecohouse #sustainabiltymatters #carbonpositive #melbournehomes #homemonitoring #passivehousespecialist #netzero #emedoingit #regenerativearchitecture #sustainablehouse

SIGN UP NOW!!! Get ready to level up your building knowledge. We’re launching a new monthly series of in-depth online conversations, and our first topic tackles treated pine vs. pine battens. We are going to dive pretty deep into this conversation, as whilst it might sound pretty straightforward from the outside, it’s anything but that! This conversation isn’t just for builders though, it’s for anyone - its for architects, building designers, engineers, interior designers, energy consultants, passive house nerds, people who just like building, people looking to build, tradies, building surveyors, really anyone! Join our expert crew as we dive deep into the complexities of building in Australia. We’ll be having a robust discussion, bringing in specialists to present and help solve some of the trickiest issues builders face. This event is for everyone, and it’s free! All you need to do is sign up on our website or through the link in our bio to grab your ticket. Think of it as a relaxed, lively debate. Grab a drink, sit back, and listen as we “argue” our way through the topic. Our first session is on Thursday, October 2nd at 5 pm (AEST) online so you can be anywhere in the world and tune in! What do you think should be the standard for battening out a wall, treated pine or standard pine?

Our hypothesis was correct. You can turn an old volume built home, constructed in 1993, into a certified Passive House without removing the roof or wall cladding! Ohhh, and it can look sexy too! This home demonstrates that we can improve existing houses rather than knocking them down. It’s a home that hopefully gives people the confidence to realise that it’s possible to renovate the millions of homes already in existence and bring them to this level of comfort, and it doesn’t need to break the bank. This also challenges the notion of what comfort is. It’s not about running a heater to warm up your home; it’s about not needing to, because your home is able to maintain a stable indoor temperature on its own. True comfort is having high-quality indoor air and a consistent, comfortable temperature without the need for excessive energy use. Maybe comfort is defined as wearing shorts and t shirts in winter and having to convince the kids that they need to put a jacket on when they go outside because it’s cold! So check out the new issue (it’s a 20th anniversary special) of @sanctuarymag where you can read all about our Rifle Range Retrofit project plus many other amazing homes that are pushing the boundaries of what is possible! Builder: @carlandconstructions Interior Designer: @hehedesign Passive House Modelling: @passiveanalytics Passive House Certifier: @hipvhype Feature Timber: @craftedhardwoodscom Windows: @binq_windows Mechanical Ventilation: @passive_tech Styling: @hannahnowlan Magazine: @sanctuarymag

I would consider this building porn! And it’s by far the most important feature of my future home! Many believe a “breathing” house is a healthy house, but that’s a myth we’re here to bust! We’re talking about mechanical ventilation, and it’s the unsung hero every home needs. Here’s the honest truth: houses don’t “breathe” like we do. Relying on leaky windows and gaps in your walls for fresh air is like trying to filter your air through a dusty old sponge. Those uncontrolled leaks aren’t just letting in a breeze; they’re inviting in dust, pollen and pollutants So, why are we so passionate about mechanical ventilation? Because it’s the key to truly healthy, comfortable, and durable living. No home should really be referred to as high-performance without it! As homes become more airtight (which is fantastic for energy efficiency!), controlling the flow of air becomes even more critical. An airtight home without proper ventilation can trap stale, polluted air, leading to a host of problems. We’re talking about things like eye, nose, and throat irritation, fatigue, decreased concentration, and even cognitive impairment. Shockingly, around one in five (approximately 20%) childhood asthma cases in Australia can be linked to these common household environmental factors. Mechanical ventilation (HRV), actively brings in fresh, filtered air and expels stale, moist air. This isn’t just about comfort; it’s about managing moisture. Warm, moist air from everyday activities like showering and cooking can condense on cooler surfaces within your walls, leading to mould growth and even structural damage. Ultimately, mechanical ventilation means taking back control of your living environment. Control over your comfort, your health, and your energy bills. It’s a non-negotiable for anyone looking to build a truly high-performing, healthy home. We believe everyone deserves a home that prioritises health, comfort, and well-being, and mechanical ventilation is a fundamental part of achieving that.