Asquith PassivHaus Time Lapse & Virtual Site Tour
This video includes a time lapse covering demolition, earthworks & foundations, installation of the modular pre-fabricated PassivHaus Certified CarbonLite panel & structural system, through to completion. It also features a walk through video narrated by Chris Nunn, the owner and current chair of APHA’s board.
The key elements of the house featured in the video are:
Slab: uninsulated slab on ground; PHPP demonstrated significant cooling benefit in summer with only marginal energy penalty in winter.
Windows / double glazing: the windows and doors were supplied by LogikHaus out of Canberra. They are Aluminimu-clad thermally broken timber frames with double glazing with a low-e coating.
External shading: vertical shading fins to east and west, and eave and horizontal shading fins on the north façade; plus automated external blinds on west facing windows.
MVHR: Zehnder ComfoAir Q350 supplied by Fantech; note addition of removable HEPA filter cassette to be inserted during a bushfire to filter out fine particulates (PM1s)
Air tightness: ProClima Intello air tight membrane formed part of CarbonLite panel system; dog door - Freedom Pet Pass; final blower door test Result 0.35 m3/h/m2@50Pa (well below the 0.6 required by PH standard)
Orientation: south to rear orientation, with main living, dining and kitchen space facing South, but Sydney climate still permits significant glazing to south and main room remains comfortable.
Comfort: moved in during winter 2021, and house has remained beautifully comfortable;
Acoustics: noticeably quiet inside the house, don’t hear mowers, school opposite or aircraft noise
Glare: primarily indirect lighting strategy for visual comfort.
All electric: Disconnected the gas main; Sanden hot water heat pump; Induction cook top, stove, microwave; LED lights.
Zero carbon: large 20kWp solar array. First energy bill after a month of occupation was a $50 credit – they owe me money!
Modular: prefabricated panels erected in 3 days from slab to weatherproof; using the CarbonLite system saved 2 months of construction time on site; reduced waste. LVL frame.
Cladding: weathertex panels are zero carbon pressed wood fibre made with native Australian timber offcut by-product from timber production, uses a recycled waste product; circular economy benefit; low embodied carbon; BAL19 fire compliant.
Location: 400m from train station; walking / cycling distance to shops, parks, schools, daycare, gym etc.
EV charging: 3 phase power to garage ready for installation of EV charger
Waste: Organic waste bin forms part of kitchen benchtop
Rainwater: 10,000L rainwater storage, supplies irrigation for garden
Drainage: enlarged 150mm wide gutters to cope with increased frequency and severity of storms due to climate change
Drenchers: 10 façade mounted drenchers connected to rainwater tanks to wet the façade to protect against ember attack during a bushfire.
Shower tap: Felton digital smart flow controller for master ensuite shower; controls temperature and shows water used
Toilets: Toto bidet toilets in master ensuite and kids bathroom
Green roof: large green roof above garage
Food production: Planter beds at front and rear for food growing; bees to be kept on green roof
Native plants: for majority of landscape planting including hedges
Accessibility: ground floor designed against Liveable Housing Australia Silver standard – wheelchair accessible level threshold to front door, wider doors, wheelchair accessible bathroom to guest bedroom, including larger spacing adjacent to toilet, shower, and reinforced walls for installation of grab rails if required.
High ceilings: internal height of 2.85m on ground floor, 2.7 on 1st floor
Garage: insulated panels to front northern garage door, with row of translucent panels at high level for natural light; rear southern facing garage door all translucent panels for daylight.
Green Star: part of the first group of homes piloting the Green Star Homes certification standard, likely to be the first certified project.
Read more about this project here and view more videos and information here. It was also featured in this news article here.