First class treatment for renters. Australia’s First major-scale Passivhaus build-to rent project announced.

“There are times in life to be cautious, and there are times to be bold. To be brave. We believe in addressing both the climate and the housing crisis deserve the latter.”

Rory Hunter, CEO - MODEL

Demonstrating true leadership in the Australian market, property developers MODEL have announced their first project. Covering 13,000 square meters, it will be the tallest mass timber residential building in Australia, and global exemplar for Certified Passivhaus large-scale build-to-rent models.

Announced by MODEL, located in Abbotsford the project stands to be the first large-scale rental apartment complex certified under the Passivhaus Standard. It marks a big change for renters, enabling them to be at the forefront of sustainable housing and experience the benefits of Passivhaus buildings.

The $120M development comprises 17 storeys and 200 apartments, and is 6-Star Green Star and 9-Star NatHERS-rated. Along with Passive House certification, the design boasts a 50% reduction in embodied carbon compared to standard developments and operates at net-zero emissions, powered entirely by renewables.

APA CEO Alexia Lidas celebrated the announcement by MODEL, stating that the team’s leadership will serve as a beacon for the market to lift the bar on the products they are offering to renters. As Australia’s housing crisis is forces renters to accept poor low quality and unsafe or barely legal housing, this development places the renter back in the drivers seat.

“It shouldn’t be forgotten that 7 Star homes are only one step above being illegal. We need to stop applauding developers for scraping through with average products.”

“This project is a philosophical statement and beacon alike. I applaud the vision and leadership of Rory and the team at MODEL. They are are lifting the bar of what renters should expect.”

“Renters shouldn’t feel like second-class citizens with no option than to live in mouldy, stuffy, cold, minimum standard homes. Using the Passivhaus Standard this build-to-rent model caters for occupant’s comfort, health, wellness and cost of living.”

Ms Lidas highlighted that the Passivhaus Standard catered for occupants by ensuring these 200 apartments would be warm, comfortable, healthy and energy efficient, but would also perfectly suit the needs of MODEL’s investors, yielding higher rents with the long- term operational savings paying for the improved asset.

“I imagine that the team at MODEL will have a long wait list to rent these apartments. It’s good for business to look after your clients. Use of the Passivhaus Standard in this project sures up triple bottom line benefits.”

“We have seen outstanding results in whole of lifecycle financial assessments, with a project initially forecast to have a 21-year back, that once operational performed so well, the pay back period was remodelled to 7-8 years. Examples like this show that the Passivhaus Standard will literally pay for itself.”

Australian Passivhaus Association notes a considerable amount of effort has been put into hiring market leading Passivhaus experts whose passion matches their consulting outcomes, with a number of ex board members, current volunteers and members selected on the project team such as HIP v HYPE.

“Early indicators of a property developer with genuine skin in the game are often apparent through their project team. We can see that the team at MODEL have done their research and are surrounding themselves with market-leading experts, who will ensure that the project is a great success.”

“True leaders take the time to ensure others rise with them. Rory has committed to sharing the nuts and bolts of this project with APA to help our work. This gesture will shape the market in the decades to come.”

MODEL on Johnston represents a significant leap forward in Passivhaus build-to-rent possibilities, offering a blueprint for similar future developments we look forward to sharing the progress of this project with Australian Governments, property developers and industry leaders.