Camberwell

Retirement Ready

Passive House +

Ground Floor SIPs panels installed on bearers
The construction begins with a timber substructure to support the prefabricated SIPs floor panels. This raised platform allows for continuous underfloor insulation and services in line with Passive House principles
Thermal bridge free construction of the screed slab
perimeter insulation and thermal bridge mitigation in a ground floor screed slab
Ground floor SIPs wall panels during installation
Wall panels arrive on-site pre-cut to sizes and openings and are quickly assembled. Their interlocking joints help achieve the airtightness required for Passive House certification.
SIPs wall plate assembly
Builders installing the structural top plate in a SIPs wall panel in preparation for the first floor to be laid
Roof panels ready for crane positioning and installation
The Bondor SIPs roof panels arrive on site on a flat bed truck pre-cut to length
Membranes installed and airtightness measures underway
With the walls and roof installed, the SIPs structure creates a continuous thermal and airtight envelope. Openings for windows and doors are foam filled and taped for air sealing.
Thermal Bridge Free Construction
Extra Insulation overlaps at perimeters to minimise continuity of conductive materials
Officially Airtight 0.4 Air Changes per Hour
The builder's attention to detail and good design of SIPs panels ensured a favourable result better than 0.6 ACH at 50 pa in the blower door test
All-Electric and Highly-Efficient
Heat Pump Hot Water and Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems and
Carbon Positive Passive House Plus Certified
The house is Carbon Positive and generates more power than it consumes annually. The owners have very low power bills and comfort all year round
Carbon neutral - Officially Certified SIPs built passive house Plus in Camberwell, Melbourne Victoria
The completed house is airtight and comfortable year round, with minimal costs

Project Story

This certified Passive House Plus home in Camberwell is a fine example of sustainable retirement living in a style that is both modern and traditional . 

Featuring a highly insulated envelope constructed entirely from SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels), this home is not only carbon neutral but actually carbon positive, generating more energy annually than it consumes.   It also provides a safe stable environment with minimal running costs and maintenance requirements.

The owners wanted all the benefits of a tree change and a new build to meet their needs without having to move away from nearby friends, family, services, healthcare, golf and other clubs.  The result is a meticulously tailored new residence designed for ageing in place, incorporating accessibility features such as a lift, wider doorways, level thresholds, and ample space for future ramps

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Irene and Brian, a retired teacher and engineer, sought a final residence that could also serve as a welcoming family retreat.

The couple had raised their three children in the original home, which was extended and renovated in the 1990s. However, the house remained uncomfortable throughout the seasons, with a convoluted layout that didn’t support ageing in place. A new build offered the opportunity to create a comfortable, energy-efficient passive home that was perfectly tailored to their future needs.

Their design brief called for a Hampton-style home with Frank Lloyd Wright influence, incorporating wide eaves to provide shading and visual warmth.

The finished home boasts triple-glazed Aluclad windows, 6kW solar PV array, heat recovery ventilation, and a multi-head split system air conditioning for optimal comfort.

High ceilings and doors throughout create an airy, open feel, while the mechanical heating and cooling systems and heat pump hot water system ensure year-round efficiency.

The ground floor features a master suite with an ensuite, alongside a study, family room, kitchen with walk-in pantry, and laundry with a laundry chute leading to a service area that opens to a side garden for drying clothes.

Upstairs, an additional living space with stunning views over the treetops and distant landscape provides a serene retreat.

The alfresco area seamlessly connects to the north-facing rear garden, offering a sheltered space for outdoor entertaining, protected by deep eaves that provide ample shade.

This home is a carefully crafted sanctuary that balances modern aesthetics, sustainability, and the warmth of family living.

Details

Location: Camberwell VIC (Melbourne)

New Build Completed: 2021

Builder:  Granted Construction

Engineer: TGA / STFAB

Architect & PH Designer: Sunpath Architects

PH Certifier: Detail Green, Luc Plowman