Forrest Passivhaus
Residential: Single Dwelling
Passivhaus Classic Certification
Spotswood, VIC, 2023
Living near the West Gate Bridge, health and comfort were always the champions of this project. We didn't want this to just be a house; we wanted to create a home that would be durable and stand for something more than just the standard home. We wanted to prove to the market that a Passivhaus in the inner west of Melbourne was feasible. This is how a true sustainable home should function.
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AIRTIGHTNESS n50 ACH@50pascals: 0.4
HEATING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 13
COOLING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 3
HEATING LOAD (W/m²): 11
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE DEMAND (PER): 37
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE GENERATION (PER): 56 -
LOCATION: Spotswood, VIC
NCC CLIMATE ZONE: 6 – Mild temperate
NATHERS CLIMATE ZONE: 6
YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2023
TREATED FLOOR AREA- PHPP sqm: 167.07
PROJECT TYPE: New Build
BUILDING TYPE: Residential: Single Dwelling
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Timber Frame
CERTIFICATION LEVEL/ ENERGY STANDARD: Passivhaus Classic -
PREFAB ELEMENTS: Proclima membranes
MHRV SYSTEM: Zehnder Q350 HRV
DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEM: Reclaim 315L
EXTERIOR WALL TYPE, U-VALUE: Timber Framed insulation with cavity insulation, .258
FLOOR SLAB TYPE, U-VALUE: Timber Subfloor Insulated, .259
ROOF INSULATION TYPE, MANUFACTURER: Earthwool
ROOF CONSTRUCTION: Timber Trusses
ROOF ENVELOPE U-VALUE: .116-.157
WALL FRAME TYPE, U-VALUE: Timber Frame, .116-.157
GLAZING TYPE, U W-VALUE, G-VALUE, U G-VALUE: UpVC Triple Glazed, .75-.88, .54-.57, 1.13-1.24
EXTERNAL DOOR TYPE, U D-VALUE: Timber Binq, 2.18 -
NUMBER OF MODULES: 18
HEIGHT, WIDTH (ONE MODULE, m, m): 1.69 X 1.16
HEIGHT OF ARRAY: 1.69m
EFFICIENCY: 87%
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- Durable and aesthetic facades with inexpensive materials: a combination of weatherboard cladding, vertical timber boards and battens, plus a robust and durable sheet cladding along the utilities side of the home
- Super-insulated envelope and triple-glazed high-performance windows and doors
- Filtered ventilation system (MHRV) that guarantees low carbon dioxide levels, humidity control and low particulate matter levels, resulting in a safe and healthy indoor environment
- Ventilated wall and roof system, with industry- leading membranes ensuring longevity of the building fabric -
Building your first Passivhaus is always a challenge, but in all honestly, it was a very smooth process. We would go as far as saying it was the easiest home we have ever built. Building a passive house requires a skilled and passionate team committed to collaboration and sustainability - this is not a bolt on and you need people who are willing to take pride in their work. Early involvement of a passive house designer and collaboration with a builder is crucial for project success.
Project Members
ARCHITECT/ BUILDING DESIGNER: Altereco Design
PASSIVHAUS CONSULTANT/ DESIGNER: Altereco Design
CONTRACTOR & BUILDER: Carland Constructions
PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIER: Detail Green
PROJECT MANAGER: Carland Constructions
MECHANICAL ENGINEER: Passive Tech
WINDOW SUPPLIER: Blue Sky Windows and Binq
HRV SUPPLIERS: Passive Tech + Fantech
AIRTIGHTNESS MEMBRANE SUPPLIER: Proclima + Performance Membranes
INSULATION SUPPLIER: Earthwool
ROOFING SUPPLIER: Colorbond
BLOWER DOOR TESTER: 4ACH
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jade Cantwell