ECHO.1
Residential: Multi-Unit
Passivhaus Classic Certification
Hawthorn, VIC, 2025
ECHO.1 is a groundbreaking development in Australia’s emerging build-to-sell, multi-residential project Certified to the Passivhaus Standard. Delivered by C Street Projects in collaboration with Australia’s leading consultants in Passivhaus design, certification and delivery, ECHO.1 is much more than just another townhouse project—it’s a blueprint for sustainable living in Australia.
From the very beginning, C Street Projects committed to achieving Passivhaus certification, embedding airtightness, thermal comfort, and efficiency strategies into the design phase rather than as an afterthought. This forward-looking approach set the stage for innovation and problem-solving rarely seen in commercial residential ventures.
ECHO.1 is a Class 2, townhouse development offered as a Build-to-Sell project, making the Passivhaus Standard accessible for purchase for the first time in Australia. It has been developed by C Street Projects, a progressive developer that aims to shift the perception of value to building performance from aesthetic finishes.
ECHO.1 is certified to the Passivhaus Classic standard, the world’s leading standard for energy efficiency, and features an 8.0 Star average NatHERS rating.
Each unit has a dedicated 4.4kW solar system, with 37.4kW installed across the project, coupled with a 9.6kWh battery and a Universal Type 2 EV Charger.
Rainwater is reused across the site for toilets and irrigation, and deep root planting zones are provided to all gardens and common areas to improve permeability.
On average, the homes consume just 5000kWh/year—70% less than a typical Victorian home—dramatically reducing both energy bills and emissions. ECHO.1 proves that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. The project was delivered as a market-rate venture while offering residents unmatched benefits:
Year-round comfort with stable indoor temperatures around 23°C.
Triple-glazed windows, intelligent membranes, and straw panel insulation for acoustic peace and quiet.
Continuous filtered ventilation for exceptional indoor air quality.
Net zero performance with solar panels, battery storage, and EV charging.
Please note- Modelling of performance undertaken by C-Street and data provided by C-Street.
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AIRTIGHTNESS n50 ACH@50pascals: 0.6
HEATING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 15
COOLING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 6
HEATING LOAD (W/m²): 12
COOLING LOAD (W/m²): 0
PRIMARY ENERGY DEMAND (PE) (kWh/m².yr): 124
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE DEMAND (PER): 54
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE GENERATION (PER): 0 -
LOCATION: ECHO.1
NCC CLIMATE ZONE: 6 - Mild temperate
NATHERS CLIMATE ZONE: 62
YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2025
TREATED FLOOR AREA (PHPP sqm): 1152.7
PROJECT TYPE: New Build
SECTOR: Residential: Multi-Unit
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Timber Frame
CERTIFICATION LEVEL/ ENERGY STANDARD: Passivhaus Classic
THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATIONS: Nathers -
MHRV SYSTEM: Zehnder Comfoair 200 and 375
DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEM: Reclaim REHO-CO2-250GL
EXTERIOR WALL TYPE, U-VALUE: Timber frame with Durrapanel, 0.330
FLOOR SLAB TYPE, U-VALUE: Reinforced Suspended Slab with Foam Insulation, 0.468
ROOF INSULATION TYPE, MANUFACTURER: Knauf Earthwool
ROOF CONSTRUCTION: Timber Trusses
ROOF ENVELOPE U-VALUE: 0.195
WALL FRAME TYPE, U-VALUE: 90mm frame with Durrapanel, 0.330
GLAZING TYPE, MANUFACTURER, U W-VALUE, G-VALUE, U G-VALUE: Triple Glazing, Logikhaus, 1.1, 0.53, 0.58
EXTERNAL DOOR TYPE, MANUFACTURER, U D-VALUE: Alu-Clad timber door, Logikhaus, 1.1 -
NUMBER OF MODULES: 88
HEIGHT, WIDTH OF ONE MODULE (m, m) : 1.722x1.134
EFFICIENCY (%): 22.53
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Innovative use of Durrapanel as continuous external insulation. Ducted Rangehood and make-up air system. 4.4kW of solar and 9.6kWh battery included as standard. 7kW EV charger included as standard. Reclaim 250L heat pump hot water system. 16,000L rainwater harvesting and reuse across the project.
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The project contended with significant macro-economic headwinds, including rapid cost escalation, skill shortages exacerbated by border closures, builder insolvencies, rising interest rates, and worsening consumer affordability. These factors added complexity to managing the project budget and schedule, with program delays encountered from the head builder. Furthermore, there was a trade knowledge gap in high-performance building methods, requiring C Street to simplify construction methods, conduct training workshops, and provide intensive on-site supervision and quality control.
Technical challenges were substantial, as building for airtightness and thermal performance at a commercial scale was a relatively foreign concept. Achieving the rigorous Passivhaus requirements for airtightness (<0.6 ach) demanded meticulous attention to detail and complex solutions for thermal bridges and envelope assemblies. Navigating complex fire engineering and NCC requirements while integrating Passivhaus details, such as ventilation ductwork and airtightness membranes within fire-rated walls, also required significant engineering effort. Overcoming the perception that Passivhaus is only for expensive, bespoke homes and proving its commercial viability at a market rate was a critical challenge. This involved demonstrating that the added costs of stringent standards, specialist procurement, and testing could yield competitive financial returns. Educating the market and industry about the tangible value and benefits of high-performance homes, beyond just finishes, also presented a market acceptance challenge.
Project Members
PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIER: Detail Green
PASSIVHAUS CONSULTANT/ DESIGNER: Speckel
ARCHITECT/ BUILDING DESIGNER: Neil Architecture
CONTRACTOR/ BUILDER: Creation Homes
DEVELOPER: C Street Projects
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Structplan
PROJECT MANAGER: C Street Projects
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Neil Architecture
MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL ENGINEER: Ascot Consulting Engineers
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT: Wedge Designs
QUANTITY SURVEYOR: Drawdown
WINDOW SUPPLIER: Logikhaus
HRV SUPPLIER: Fantech
AIRTIGHTNESS MEMBRANE SUPPLIER: Proctor
INSULATION SUPPLIER: Insulgreen
ROOFING SUPPLIER: AARC
BLOWER DOOR TESTER: Passivetech
PHOTOGRAPHER: Lisa Cohen and Tom Ross
Awards and Shortlists
Houses 2025 Shortlist.
The Urban Developer Finalist for Small Scale Development and Sustainability