Tennyson Point
Residential: Multi-Unit
Passivhaus Plus Certification
Tennyson Point, NSW, 2024
Nestled in the heart of picturesque Tennyson Point, this duplex was created as a personal expression of comfort, quality, and sustainable living. Surrounded by other beautifully designed residences, it sits in a neighbourhood that reflects the same sense of care and craftsmanship. The team designed for a lifestyle shaped around wellbeing, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
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LOCATION: Tennyson Point, NSW
NCC CLIMATE ZONE: 5 – Warm temperate
NATHERS CLIMATE ZONE: 56
YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2024
TREATED FLOOR AREA (PHPP sqm): 504.37
PROJECT TYPE: New Build
SECTOR: Residential: Multi-Unit
CONSTRUCTION TYPE: Concrete/masonry
CERTIFICATION LEVEL/ ENERGY STANDARD: Passivhaus Plus
THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATIONS: Nathers -
AIRTIGHTNESS n50 ACH@50pascals: 0.5/h
HEATING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 12
COOLING DEMAND (kWh/m².yr): 10
HEATING LOAD (W/m²): 13
COOLING LOAD (W/m²): 12
PRIMARY ENERGY DEMAND (PE) (kWh/m².yr): 110
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE DEMAND (PER): 57
PRIMARY ENERGY RENEWABLE GENERATION (PER): 76 -
MHRV SYSTEM: Stiebel Eltron, LWZ 280
DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEM: Rinnai Enviro 32L Gas instant
EXTERIOR WALL TYPE, U-VALUE: Double brick, insulated cavity 30mm EPS, internal insulation 25mm EPS, 0.321 W/(m2K)
FLOOR SLAB TYPE, U-VALUE: Concrete slab, underslab insulation 20mm XPS, slab edge perimeter insulation 20mm XPS, 1.108 W/(m2K)
ROOF INSULATION TYPE, MANUFACTURER: Prime Panel 60mm EPS
ROOF CONSTRUCTION: Concrete
ROOF ENVELOPE U-VALUE: 0.31 W/(m2K)
GLAZING TYPE, MANUFACTURER, G-VALUE, U G-VALUE: Double & Triple, Logikhaus, 1 %, 0.53 W/(m2K)
EXTERNAL DOOR TYPE, MANUFACTURER, U D-VALUE: Logikhaus, 0.39 W/(m2K) -
NUMBER OF MODULES: 50
HEIGHT, WIDTH OF ONE MODULE (m, m): 1.808, 1.086
EFFICIENCY (%): 98
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The team wanted to meet Passivhaus Plus Standard, creating a place that was not only beautiful and comfortable, but truly sustainable for the long term. The house is made from double brick and concrete, giving it a solid and timeless feel.
The triple-glazed windows let in plenty of natural light while keeping the indoor temperature stable, no matter the weather outside. Motorized curtains were added for extra comfort and control, quietly adjusting to manage sunlight and privacy throughout the day.
A 10 kW solar system on each side combined with 26 kWh of battery storage means the house can power itself most of the time, and even charge an electric vehicle with clean energy. The clients’ energy bills are now incredibly low, and it feels great to them knowing the home runs almost entirely on renewable power.
Because the house is built to be airtight and weatherproof, it stays comfortable in every season, warm in winter, cool in summer, with the HRV providing fresh filtered air at all times. It’s quiet, calm, and consistently pleasant to live in.
What the clients love most is not just its efficiency, but that it’s healthy, resilient, and future-proof; a home that supports their lifestyle while taking care of the environment at the same time.
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For the project team, completing the certification without prior knowledge was challenging, but it proved to be a valuable learning experience. Along the way, the team recognised the difficulties of conventional concrete and masonry construction; being significantly more costly compared to timber framing, achieving airtightness being difficult due to air leakage through bricks and mortar, and having numerous thermal bridges that need to be addressed.
Project Members
PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIER: HIP V Hype - Marcus Strang
PASSIVHAUS CONSULTANT/ DESIGNER: Qanvas Pty Ltd
ARCHITECT/ INTERIOR DESIGNER: EMK Architects Pty Ltd
BUILDER: Globuild Pty Ltd
DEVELOPER/PROJECT MANAGER: Qanvas Pty Ltd
WINDOW SUPPLIER: Logikhaus
HRV SUPPLIER: Stiebel Eltron
AIRTIGHTNESS MEMBRANE SUPPLIER: Pro clima
INSULATION SUPPLIER: Eureka/Pro clima
BLOWER DOOR TESTER: Aerotight
PHOTOGRAPHER: Marko Giang