The Strait House
Residential: Single Dwelling
Passivhaus Plus Certification
Cape Patterson, VIC, 2020
The Strait House reinterprets the playful vernacular of the classic Australian beach shack, transforming it into a contemporary coastal retreat at the forefront of sustainable design. The floating structure, clad in warm timber, recalls the familiar language of the Aussie beach home while stepping down in gentle sections. A unifying floating gable and ribbon window tie the composition together, avoiding any sense of disjointedness.
Theatrical “dancing” columns introduce a sense of movement, playing with perspective and creating kinetic visual interest as inhabitants move around the structure. Windows frame sweeping views of Bass Strait, while landscaped gardens shelter the house from the harsh coastal elements.
An asymmetrical gable roof extends east and west to form generous verandas, offering sheltered outdoor living and natural shading. Carefully placed windows maximise ocean views while minimising heat gain, with external blinds providing additional summer protection.
The result is a resilient, comfortable, and environmentally attuned beachside home, one that balances playful character with high-performance design.
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AIRTIGHTNESS n50 ACH@50pascals: 0.60
HEATING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 10
COOLING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 5
HEATING LOAD (W/m²): 8
COOLING LOAD (W/m²): 20
PRIMARY ENERGY DEMAND (PE) (kWh/m².yr): 56
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE DEMAND (PER): 25
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE GENERATION (PER): 70 -
LOCATION: Cape Patterson, VIC
NCC CLIMATE ZONE: 5 – Warm temperate
NATHERS CLIMATE ZONE: 64
YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2020
TREATED FLOOR AREA (PHPP sqm): 132
PROJECT TYPE: New Build
SECTOR: Residential: Single Dwelling
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Timber Frame
CERTIFICATION LEVEL/ ENERGY STANDARD: Passivhaus Plus
THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATIONS: Nathers -
MHRV SYSTEM: Stiebel Eltron - LWZ 170 E plus
DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEM: Reclaim heat pump 160L
EXTERIOR WALL TYPE, U-VALUE: Timber stud wall with mineral wool insulation and timber cladding, 0.291 W/(m2K)
FLOOR SLAB TYPE, U-VALUE: Suspended Floor - Timber joists with mineral wool insulation, 0.204 W/(m2K)
ROOF INSULATION TYPE, MANUFACTURER: Knauf Earthwool
ROOF CONSTRUCTION: Timber Frame - Trusses
ROOF ENVELOPE U-VALUE: 0.182 W/(m2K)
GLAZING TYPE, MANUFACTURER, U W-VALUE, G-VALUE, U G-VALUE: Triple Glazing, Rösch Glass and Logikhaus, 0.90, 0.51, 0.67
EXTERNAL DOOR TYPE, MANUFACTURER, U D-VALUE: Glazing Door, Logikhaus, 1.0 -
NUMBER OF MODULES: 22
HEIGHT, WIDTH OF ONE MODULE (m, m): 1.69 x 0.99 m
HEIGHT OF ARRAY: 1.69
EFFICIENCY (%): 97
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With sweeping views of the Bass Strait, the home’s kitchen, main bedroom, and decks capture the ocean’s drama, especially when a storm front approaches.
A green roof garden provides natural screening and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape, while reduced concrete use and responsibly sourced Australian timbers lower embodied energy.
Water-sensitive design features—including a 10,000-litre rainwater tank, permeable surfaces, and strategic stormwater management—enhance site resilience.
The productive native landscape, featuring local plantings and food gardens, fosters a self-sustaining environment free of impervious surfaces.
An asymmetrical gable roof completes the design, supporting photovoltaic panels and minimizing overshadowing of the southern neighbour.
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With a public carpark to the north and views to the south, east, and west, orientation was a key challenge. The site also sat under a strict planning overlay focused on sustainability and amenity.
As the highest and steepest block in Cape Paterson’s new sustainable estate, it demanded a carefully tuned Passivhaus response to balance performance, outlook, and landscape.
Project Members
PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIER: Clare Parry
ARCHITECT / PASSIVHAUS DESIGNER: Luke Middleton - eme design
CONTRACTOR / BUILDER: Martin Builders
INTERIOR DESIGNER / PROJECT MANAGER: Eme design
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: CO- Struct
WINDOW SUPPLIER: Logikhaus
HRV SUPPLIER: Stiebel Eltron
AIRTIGHTNESS MEMBRANE SUPPLIER: Proclima
INSULATION SUPPLIER: Battmans Insulation Services
BLOWER DOOR TESTER: 3ARK
PHOTOGRAPHER: Marnie Hawson