Balmain EnerPHit 1.0
Residential: Single Dwelling
EnerPHit Certification
Balmain, NSW, 2023
The Balmain EnerPHit 1.0 project is a a renovation of an 1884 semi attached masonry cottage in a heritage conservation zone, transforming a Victorian cottage into a modern, energy-efficient home adhering to the rigorous EnerPHit standard. The renovated house is 3 stories with 3 bedrooms & 2 bathroom on a 62m² footprint.
Balmain EnerPHit 1.0’s excellence was recognized with several prestigious awards, including the inaugural BDAA PassivHaus division award in 2023, the HIA GreenSmart Award for Best Renovation in Australia in 2024, and the MBA NSW Sustainability Project under $1M.
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AIRTIGHTNESS n50 ACH@50pascals: n50 = 0.86/h
HEATING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 15
COOLING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 19
HEATING LOAD (W/m²): 14
COOLING LOAD (W/m²): 8
PRIMARY ENERGY DEMAND (PE) (kWh/m².yr): 116
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE DEMAND (PER): 54
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE GENERATION (PER): 139 -
LOCATION: Balmain
NCC CLIMATE ZONE: 5
NATHERS CLIMATE ZONE: 56
YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2023
TREATED FLOOR AREA (PHPP sqm): 118
PROJECT TYPE: Retrofit
SECTOR: Residential: Single Dwelling
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Timber Frame, Masonry
CERTIFICATION LEVEL/ ENERGY STANDARD: EnerPHit -
MHRV SYSTEM: Stiebel Eltron VCR 180
DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEM: Sanden
EXTERIOR WALL TYPE, U-VALUE: Double skin brickwork insulated internally and 90mm stud wall insulated with wood fibre externally, 0.49
FLOOR SLAB TYPE, U-VALUE: Uninsulated concrete slab on ground, 4.7
ROOF INSULATION TYPE, MANUFACTURER: Knauf Earthwool R5.0
ROOF CONSTRUCTION: Timber frame
ROOF ENVELOPE U-VALUE: 0.2
WALL FRAME TYPE, U-VALUE: 90mm timber framed wall with R2.7 insulation batts plus 60mm wood fibre to exterior, 0.24
GLAZING TYPE, MANUFACTURER, U W-VALUE, G-VALUE, U G-VALUE: Double Glazing - AGG 4/16/4 lowe Plus, Aluplast, ID 4000, 1.86, 64%, 1.14
EXTERNAL DOOR TYPE, MANUFACTURER, U D-VALUE: uPVC, Aluplast, 1.86 -
NUMBER OF MODULES: 18
HEIGHT, WIDTH OF ONE MODULE (m, m) : 1.872 x 1.032 x 0.040 m
HEIGHT OF ARRAY (m): 0.1
EFFICIENCY (%): 96.5%
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The project meticulously restored the cottage’s original heritage façade while adding a contemporary second storey. This addition not only provided panoramic views of the city and Sydney Harbour Bridge but also seamlessly blended historical charm with modern design.
All original masonry walls were internally insulated with 60mm Steico woodfibre, all new timber framed walls externally lined with Steico and coated with lime based render with Keim Royalan paint finish. All new windows DGU in uPVC frames – original front door, fanlight and double hung window retrofitted with double glazing and air tightness beadings. Existing steel structure which was retained was encased in Steico or XPS. All roof structure has been counter battened and ventilated. The majority of the roof is covered with solar PV panels. Ground floor topping slab was insulated horizontally around perimeter to avoid thermal bridging & then polished.
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Tight site, rising damp, hard for bracing lower ground floor as open planned. Next house bought is stand alone with no rising damp.
Project Members
PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIER: Luc Plowman
PASSIVHAUS CONSULTANT/ DESIGNER: Andy Marlow - Envirotecture
ARCHITECT/ BUILDING DESIGNER: Tracy Graham - Connected Design
CONTRACTOR/BUILDER: Sowden Building Solutions
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Angelo Silva - Tall Ideas
PROJECT MANAGER: Nick Sowden
QUANTITY SURVEYOR: Sowden Building Solutions
WINDOW SUPPLIER: Kinzel Industries
HRV SUPPLIER: Stiebel Eltron
AIRTIGHTNESS MEMBRANE SUPPLIER: ProClima
INSULATION SUPPLIER: Knauff
ROOFING SUPPLIER: Metroll
BLOWER DOOR TESTER: Blower Door Services
PHOTOGRAPHER: Andy Woods
Awards and Shortlists
MBA NSW 2024 - Sustainable Build under $1M
HIA Greensmart award - Best Renovation Nationally 2024