Plateau Passivhaus
Residential: Single Dwelling
Passivhaus Classic Certification
Collaroy Plateau, NSW, 2024
Plateau Passivhaus is a single level detached home constructed top to bottom from cross-laminated timber (CLT) on piers. Despite its tight urban location, the house feels light and spacious, with carefully planned openings that maximise natural light and ventilation. The sustainable CLT structure ensures excellent energy efficiency, comfort, and a warm, natural aesthetic.
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AIRTIGHTNESS n50 ACH@50pascals: 0.12
HEATING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 8.4 kWh/(m²a)
COOLING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 10 kWh /(m²a) Cooling and dehumidification demand
HEATING LOAD (W/m²): 8.6 W/m²
COOLING LOAD (W/m²): 10.4 W/m²
PRIMARY ENERGY DEMAND (PE) (kWh/m².yr): 158 kWh/(m²a)
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE DEMAND (PER): 69 kWh/(m²a)
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE GENERATION (PER): 93 kWh/(m²a) -
LOCATION: Collaroy Plateau, NSW
NCC CLIMATE ZONE: 5 – Warm temperate
NATHERS CLIMATE ZONE: 56
YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2024
TREATED FLOOR AREA (PHPP sqm): 131.7sqm
PROJECT TYPE: New Build
SECTOR: Residential: Single Dwelling
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Cross Laminated Timber
CERTIFICATION LEVEL/ ENERGY STANDARD: Passivhaus Classic -
PREFAB ELEMENTS: CLT - KLH Pacific
MHRV SYSTEM: Zehnder ComfoAir 180
DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEM: Rheem Stellar 160 Litre 2.4kw Stainless Steel Storage on timer to optimise solar periods and off peak
EXTERIOR WALL TYPE, U-VALUE: CLT & 80mm woodfibre insulation - Steico Special Dry, 0.349 W/(m²K)
FLOOR SLAB TYPE, U-VALUE: CLT & XPS (extruded polystyrene), 0.295 W/(m²K)
ROOF INSULATION TYPE, MANUFACTURER: 160mm woodfibre insulation - Steico Special Dry
ROOF CONSTRUCTION: CLT
ROOF ENVELOPE U-VALUE: 0.193 W/(m²K)
GLAZING TYPE, MANUFACTURER, U W-VALUE, G-VALUE, U G-VALUE: Triple glazed with timber-aluminium frame, Doepfner, 1.05 W/(m2K), 51%, 0.6W/(m²K)
EXTERNAL DOOR TYPE, MANUFACTURER, U D-VALUE: Triple glazed with timber-aluminium frame, Doepfner, 0.984 W/(m²K) -
NUMBER OF MODULES: 25
HEIGHT, WIDTH OF ONE MODULE (m, m): 1.9 x 1.04 m
HEIGHT OF ARRAY: approx. 4m
EFFICIENCY (%): 98%
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The interior CLT surface is sanded and left largely unsealed and flooring has porcelain tiles throughout which are steam cleaned, thus minimising the use of chemicals.
On a tight block with close neighbours, side windows on the ground level are frosted or textured to maintain privacy without the necessity for internal blinds. Large front and back windows open onto garden areas, and facing west and east respectively can be shaded by external motorised louvres/venetian blind.
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The use of CLT offers great structural integrity and opportunity but requires considerable forethought and planning for provision of plumbing, mechanical ventilation and power distribution into the thermal envelope - wireless light control greatly simplifies cabling and offers opportunities for smart integration.
Project Members
PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIER: Detail Green
PASSIVHAUS CONSULTANT/ DESIGNER: Laros Consulting
ARCHITECT: Samuela Madej-Murphy
BUILDING CERTIFIER: Anthony Protas Consulting
BUILDER: Conor Murphy
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Global Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd
PROJECT MANAGER: Samuela Madej-Murphy & Conor Murphy - CLT logistics by Dr Andreas Luzzi (KLH Pacific)
WINDOW SUPPLIER: Laros Technologies
HRV SUPPLIER: Fantech
AIRTIGHTNESS MEMBRANE SUPPLIER:
INSULATION SUPPLIER: Insulate Naturally
ROOFING SUPPLIER: No. 1 Roofing
BLOWER DOOR TESTER: Blower Door Services
PHOTOGRAPHER: Samuela Madej-Murphy & Geoff Krix