Danthonia Passivhaus

Residential: Single Dwelling
Passivhaus Classic
Riddells Creek, VIC, 2023

This beautiful house consists of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, on 1000m2 of land in Riddells Creek, Victoria. Owners were looking for a more comfortable and energy-efficient home requiring minimal maintenance. Architect, builder, and consultant worked as a team to create and execute this exquisite design.

 

• Passivhaus Performance

  AIRTIGHTNESS n50 ACH@50pascals: 0.3
  HEATING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 14.5
  COOLING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 2
  HEATING LOAD (W/m²): 10
  COOLING LOAD (W/m²): 9
  PRIMARY ENERGY DEMAND (PE) (kWh/m².yr): 67
  PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE DEMAND (PER): 30
  PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE GENERATION (PER): 38

• General Information

  LOCATION: Riddells Creek
  NCC CLIMATE ZONE: 7 – Cool temperate
  NATHERS CLIMATE ZONE: 60
  YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2023
  TREATED FLOOR AREA (PHPP sqm): 152.8
  PROJECT TYPE: New Build
  RESIDENTIAL: Single Dwelling
  CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Timber Frame
  CERTIFICATION LEVEL/ ENERGY STANDARD: Passivhaus Classic

• Technical Specification

  MHRV SYSTEM: Zehnder ComfoAirQ 350
  DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEM: Reclaim 320 litre, split heat pump
  EXTERIOR WALL TYPE, U-VALUE: Timber frame ,
  0.209
  FLOOR SLAB TYPE,U-VALUE: Insulated timber over concrete slab,0.403
  ROOF INSULATION TYPE, MANUFACTURER: Earthwool
  ROOF CONSTRUCTION: Timber frame
  ROOF ENVELOPE U-VALUE: 0.116
  GLAZING TYPE, MANUFACTURER,U W-VALUE, G-VALUE, U G-VALUE : Triple, Logikhaus, 0.97,0.50,0.67 EXTERNAL DOOR TYPE, MANUFACTURER, U D-VALUE: Glazed Timber, Logikhaus,0.67

• Solar Panels

  NUMBER OF MODULES: 15
  HEIGHT, WIDTH OF ONE MODULE (m, m) : 1.134, 1.762
  HEIGHT OF ARRAY: 3
  EFFICIENCY (%): 95
  

• Special Features

  This project consists of striking and unusual shapeof the house to maximise use of site. Buffer walls to provide protection from prevailing winds.

• Project Challenges

  Site orientation is to north-west. House was built on a previous farm dam, requiring significant number of concrete piers. Unusual shape to maximise use of site required extra work in layout and construction.

Project Members

PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIER: Luc Plowman, Detail Green
PASSIVHAUS CONSULTANT/ DESIGNER: John Beurle, Passive House Services
ARCHITECT/ BUILDING DESIGNER: Eve Strano, Etha Architecture
BUILDER: Stuart Lee, Enerhaus
PROJECT MANAGER: Eve Strano
BLOWER DOOR TESTER: Detail Green
PHOTOGRAPHER: Marnie Hawson

Awards and Shortlists

Australian Institute Shortlisted for Architecture, Victorian Chapter, 2025 Sustainable Architecture Award

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