Live Lightly Haus
Residential: Single Dwelling
EnerPHit Certification
Orange, NSW, 2024
The owner was determined to showcase the benefits of the Passivhaus Standard and that deep-energy retrofits of old buildings are viable. This old cottage was transformed.
Meet a little cottage on a huge block of land in NSW’s Central Tablelands. It was relocated here decades ago to a site where it offers beautiful views out to the south. Orange is inland and stands at considerable elevation and the result is a challenging climate. Summers see temperatures soar into the 40s while winter brings snow. But a determined deep-energy retrofit sees this old cottage turned into a comfortable, healthy place to stay no matter what is happening outside.
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AIRTIGHTNESS n50 ACH@50pascals: 1.03
HEATING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 17.46
COOLING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 6.29
HEATING LOAD (W/m²): 14.93
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE DEMAND (PER): 53 -
LOCATION: Orange, NSW
NCC CLIMATE ZONE: 7 – Cool temperate
NATHERS CLIMATE ZONE: 65
YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2024
TREATED FLOOR AREA (PHPP sqm): 116
PROJECT TYPE: Retrofit
RESIDENTIAL: Single Dwelling
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Timber Frame
CERTIFICATION LEVEL/ ENERGY STANDARD: EnerPHit -
MHRV SYSTEM: Sabik 210 HRV
DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEM: Stiebel Eltron WWK302 - 302L Heat Pump Hot Water System
EXTERIOR WALL TYPE, U-VALUE: Insulated 70mm existing timber framed wall plus additional insualted 90mm timber framed wall and 60mm Woodfibre board, 0.167
FLOOR SLAB TYPE, U-VALUE: Insulated 90mm existing timber floor joists with 60mm PIR foam board below, 0.176
ROOF INSULATION TYPE, MANUFACTURER: Glasswool and Rockwool batts, manufacturer varies. External Steico Woodfibre board
ROOF CONSTRUCTION: Timber frame
ROOF ENVELOPE U-VALUE: Hip roof: 0.099, Skillion Roof: 0.349
GLAZING TYPE, U W-VALUE, G-VALUE, U G-VALUE: Triple with Low-E, 1.2, 0.5, 0.72
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The new extension is unashamedly modern and creates a bold contrast from the exterior, differentiated by its roof form, cladding and colour. Its timber cladding is echoed by the generous walkways and decking surrounding the cottage, constructed from Australian hardwood timber.
Inside, period features are retained in the original bedrooms, with their internal curved wall and feature plaster ceiling. The kitchen is modern and practical, opening to an open-plan dining and living room.
Everyone is happy that a beautiful pear tree shading the north-facing window could be kept. Enough sun filters through its bare branches in winter to provide the needed solar gain.
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Wood fibre was the insulation material chosen to improve thermal performance, while locally assembled uPVC windows were specified to suit the original project timeframe.
Window placement stayed the same. Some window openings were enlarged but the glazing ratio was carefully considered to find the right balance between preventing overheating in summer and bringing in warming winter sun.
Project Members
PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIER: Detail Green
PASSIVHAUS CONSULTANT/ ARCHITECT/ BUILDING DESIGNER: Envirotecture
BUILDER: Paradigm Passivhaus
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Cook and Roe
MECHANICAL ENGINEER: Envirotecture
HRV SUPPLIER: Fantech
AIRTIGHTNESS MEMBRANE SUPPLIER: Pro Clima
BLOWER DOOR TESTER: Blower Door Services (Peter Shea)
PHOTOGRAPHER: The Studio Door Creative
Awards and Shortlists
AWARD 1 BDAA National Design Awards - Alterations & Additions: Up to $500K
AWARD 2 2025 Winner; Design Matters National ‘Building Design Awards’ - Alterations & Additions: Up to $500K
AWARD 3 2025 Winner; Sustainability Awards - Single Dwelling (Alteration/Addition) 2025 Shortlist
