Guides & Insights
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We’ve written up some of the big questions we get from clients, like when to renovate, how to plan a build, and what sustainability really looks like beyond the buzzwords.
Passive House vs Passive Solar Design: What’s the Difference and Which is Right for You?
If you’ve been following the building industry, you’ve probably heard the terms Passive House (or Passivhaus, its German name) and Passive Solar Design thrown around a lot.
They sound similar, and both aim to create comfortable, energy-efficient homes, but the way they achieve that goal is very different. Understanding the difference can help you make smarter design choices and avoid expensive mistakes later.
High Performance Homes: Comfort, Efficiency, and Wellbeing Built In
High performance building is about creating homes that go beyond the ordinary. To us, it means crafting spaces that are comfortable, durable, energy efficient, and healthy. These homes don’t just shelter you—they support your lifestyle, your wellbeing, and the environment.
So how do we achieve this?
We start with principles like solar passive design, early collaboration and careful thermal modeling to predict and optimise energy performance.
The Secret to a Stress-Free Build? Your Team.
If you’re about to start a renovation or build your dream home, it’s easy to get caught up in floor plans, mood boards, and timelines. But here’s something many homeowners overlook: The team you build at the start will determine how stressful, or smooth, your project is.
Knockdown vs Renovation Pt. 2
Deciding whether to knock down and rebuild or renovate isn’t always simple. Each site has its own quirks, constraints, and opportunities. In this post, we’ll walk through the factors we discuss with clients all the time, to help you figure out what’s going to work best for your place.
Knockdown vs Renovation
We see this question come up all the time with our Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula and Geelong clients. With our experience in undertaking major architectural renovations across these areas, we've developed some great methods for navigating what can be a really complex decision.
The basics of sustainable design
This Sustainable House Day 2024 Extension Session covers all the basics that are essential to understand in order to achieve a sustainable build or renovation that is warm in winter, cool in summer, and cheap to run. Our expert panel will discuss what a difference orientation can make, as well as correct air flow and insulation.
Finding the right team for your build or renovation
It’s essential to find the right team for your build or renovation, yet it can be quite tricky to find people who share your sustainability goals.
This video offers guidance on how to select a team in your area that will guide your vision to life.