RetroPHit Month
Showcasing case studies, lessons, insights, and opportunities for Passivhaus EnerPHit in Australia.
“It’s estimated that by 2050, there will be seven million Australian homes that don’t meet NCC energy efficiency standards… which are still low by international standards.”
Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, 2024
Most Australian Homes are Uncomfortable and Inefficient
It’s a problem playing out across 10.8 million homes — 70% of which were built before modern energy standards existed, and carry an average rating of just 1.8 NatHERS stars.
Some propose knock down and rebuild as the solution to more efficient and comfortable homes.
But not only is KDR wasteful from an embodied carbon perspective, the new structure would likely only be built to minimum code — and the same applies for any typical retrofit.
This proposes a new set of issues:
So, if Australia is to meet its ambitious 43% emissions reduction target by 2030, and net zero by 2050…
What are we to do?
One simple upwards amendment means that same new building stock will fall below minimum just a few years later.
And institutes like AHURI agree that even the current 7-star NatHERS minimum is already low by international standards.
Blindly improving airtightness in line with NCC minimums doesn't reduce mould risk, it increases it.
And this mould contributes to immune, respiratory, and gastrointestinal illness — burdening occupants while increasing healthcare emissions.
Minimum code builds are more energy-conscious than those from prior decades, but there are no guarantees that design matches as-built reality.
Therefore, using code minimums as a retrofitting benchmark will likely end in disappointment.
We suggest adopting a nationwide holistic retrofit standard that prioritises sustainability, occupant health & comfort, and closing the as-built performance gap plaguing Australian buildings.
That's why we’re launching RetroPHit Month — our inaugural national program dedicated to turning the retrofit conversation into action.
Event Partners
“With the average home built before 2010 performing at just 1.8/10 stars for energy efficiency, the need for deep retrofit has never been more urgent.
Through RetroPHit Month, the Australian Passivhaus Association is bringing together government, industry, and the community to accelerate awareness and capability around EnerPHit — the Passivhaus retrofit standard — across homes, apartments, schools, offices, and larger scale developments.
Australia cannot meet its climate and housing goals through new construction alone. We must also improve the buildings we already have.”
Stalin Chakrabarty, CEO, Australian Passivhaus Association
Who Is RetroPHit Month for?
RetroPHit Month Events
Webinar
16 June 2026 | 12:30 - 1:30 pm AEST
Join us for a breakdown of different EnerPHit retrofit pathways and how to choose the right approach for each building.
Linden Thorley will explain key decision points, covering insulating from the inside or outside, build staging, and selecting between the energy demand or component method while also addressing how climate and building type influences.
Paul Green will follow with real project examples, including Melbourne and regional builds, showcasing why certain strategies were chosen, the challenges encountered, and the benefits achieved.
These case studies range from internal insulation approaches to full external re-skins, as well as certified EnerPHit and LEB projects, offering clear insights into practical retrofit solutions.
This concise one-hour session is ideal for designers, builders, and professionals interested in high-performance retrofit practice.
In-Person Events
Retrofit & Passivhaus: High-Performance Outcomes for Commercial and Residential Buildings
These events mark the launch of the APA's inaugural Retrofit Month — a national initiative to build awareness, skills and momentum around EnerPHit in Australia.
EnerPHit is Passivhaus Institute's internationally recognised retrofit certification standard that provides a clear and credible pathway to exceptional energy performance, airtightness, thermal comfort and indoor air quality for existing buildings of all types.
These events bring together designers, engineers, performance analysts and builders to explore what this high-performance retrofit standard looks like in practice.
If you are working on a commercial project, a residential retrofit, or both, this is a practical and timely evening with people doing this work right now
Melbourne Event
Date: Thursday, June 4 | 5:30 - 9:00pm
Address: ARUP Sky Park, 1 Melbourne Quarter, 699 Collins St, Docklands VIC
Sydney Event
Date: Wednesday, June 10 | 5:30 - 8:30pm
Address: Pro Clima, Level 3, 15 - 21 Doody Street, Alexandria, NSW
Site Tours
-
![]()
Duncraig EnerPHit
Duncraig, WA | 30 May
Maintaining the original footprint, the home has been carefully retrofitted with external insulation, ventilated wall and roof systems, and a continuous thermal envelope to achieve exceptional energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
The design preserves key original elements, including hardwood floors and roof structure, while reconfiguring internal spaces to improve flow, light, and functionality.
Duncraig demonstrates how an ageing suburban home can be reimagined through EnerPHit principles, prioritising health, sustainability, and long-term performance without compromising character.
-
![]()
Kellyville EnerPHit
Kellyville, NSW | 31 May
Enjoying a north-easterly aspect in a quiet cul-de-sac, this revitalised home showcases the comfort, performance, and design excellence achieved through the EnerPHit standard.
The light-filled interiors feature multiple living spaces and seamless flow to outdoor entertaining via bi-fold windows and doors that open out to the large covered deck overlooking the generous yard and pool.
The modern kitchen includes abundant storage, stone benchtops, a powered island, and stainless-steel appliances.
Join us on site to experience the comfort, efficiency, and thoughtful upgrades of this EnerPHit home firsthand.
-
![]()
Hillary EnerPHit
East Lindfield, NSW | June 13
What began as a planned knockdown turned into an inspiring deep-retrofit journey when the design team realised the original house could be revived — and even enhanced — while keeping the family rooted in the suburb they loved.
Explore how thoughtful design blended the home's art deco character with a modern extension, creating a beautiful connection to the garden and a far more comfortable, functional space.
See the unique architectural details, the clever reuse of materials, and the high-performance strategies that brought this home to EnerPHit standard.
Join us for an exclusive tour and discover how this cherished 1930s family home was transformed instead of rebuilt.
-
![]()
Shibori House
Redfern, NSW | June 13
Currently on track to meet the EnerPHit standard, Shibori House is a deep retrofit of a typical inner city terrace; solid masonry walls, timber floors and roofs.
The single level terrace is being transformed into a two level Japanese inspired oasis for its next 100 years of life.
An atypical floor plan introduces a central courtyard around which the house orientates with a split level rear to tuck the home down into its site and connect the living space to both courtyard and rear yard
You will have the opportunity to see the project mid-flow. The slab is down, the timber framing likely to be complete and wrapped and the original roof reconstructed, lined with woodfibre and wrapped.
The original masonry has been repaired, original floors replaced to allow for airtighting (and making level).
The ventilation strategy includes an inline dehumidifier, increasingly necessary in the Sydney summers and even more so in small homes.
-
![]()
Argo Street EnerPHit
South Yarra, NSW | 23 May
Argo Street responds to a series of complex constraints, including a tight urban site, neighbouring interfaces, heritage requirements, and ambitious sustainability targets.
These challenges have shaped a design that balances clean modern geometry with the character of the original Victorian fabric.
The heritage front portion is being carefully restored, while the rear extension has been carefully designed to maximise natural light, spatial efficiency, and environmental performance.
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are being used for the walls, floors, and roof, enabling precision construction and strong thermal outcomes.
The airtightness strategy combines both internal and external approaches, achieving a preliminary result of 0.48 ACH at 50 Pa — an exceptional outcome for a retrofit project of this type.
Argo Street offers a valuable opportunity to experience firsthand how high-performance outcomes can be achieved within complex urban and heritage contexts.
