Australia’s biggest Passivhaus Conference
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Earn up to 16 Passivhaus CPD points at THRIVE 2025.
Join over 250 other Passivhaus practitioners over two days to learn from 27 different pioneering experts presenting findings from Australia and internationally. Find products and ask questions of manufacturers in our Exhibitor Trade Show, receive specialist training in workshops, and be part of the biggest Passivhaus social networking opportunity in Australia in 2025.
Members $1150 | Non-Members $1290
GST will be added at check out
CPD Points Available
Conference with Practical Training Day
Architects Formal 10 | Informal 4
Builders and Engineers 14
Passivhaus 24
Conference only
Architects Formal 9.5 | Informal 0
Builders and Engineers 9.5
Passivhaus 16
Practical Training Day only
Architects Formal 4.5 | Informal 4
Builders and Engineers 4.5
Passivhaus 8
Berninneit Site Tour
Passivhaus 4
How to Book
Scroll down for chronological events with full information
Australia’s Largest Practical Training Day
Wednesday, June 18
A hands-on training experience designed for tradespeople, designers and professionals working on Certified Passivhaus projects.
THIS TRAINING IS IDEAL FOR:
Anyone who has completed a Passivhaus Certified course, looking to receive some hands-on experience
Trades people who are working alongside a Certified Tradesperson, on a Certified Passivhaus project
Certified Designers looking to improve their ability to working with trades on a Certified Passivhaus project
CPD POINTS AVAILABLE:
Practical Training Day only
Architects Formal 4.5 | Informal 4
Builders and Engineers 4.5
Passivhaus 8
Conference with Practical Training Day
Architects Formal 10 | Informal 4
Builders and Engineers 14
Passivhaus 16
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Designed to be practically useful, with trainers and wrapping materials supplied by pro clima, you will get hands on experience with the industry's most popular materials so you can really understand key products, and receive top tier knowledge and advice from Passivhaus experts.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:airtightness, weather tightness, Passivhaus building envelope
presentation with Dan Jakobs, pro climahow to create airtight wall penetrations, wrap penetration and external walls
small group hands-on training with the team at pro climamistakes builders make when working on a certified Passivhaus
Q&A with two of Australia's leading certifiersHRV, Duct Systems and Range Hoods from Fantech Specialists
hands-on session with an opportunity to handle the materialswindow prep and installation by Siegware
small group session where you can discuss and ask questionswhat PH Standard buildings can alleviate: CIRS and mould related illness
a presentation from Jessica Allen, Climasurehow to start a Passivhaus business
presentation and Q&A with two Passivhaus businessesopportunity to discuss and ask questions to all experts
WHAT TO EXPECT:Hear tips and tricks on aspects like wrapping, windows, ventilation, MVHR and more!
See & feel materials used in the construction of a Passivhaus building
Get hands on experience
The opportunity to ask questions to some of Australia top Passivhaus contributors
EVENT DETAILSWhere: Better Building Exchange, Brunswick VIC
When: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Time: 10am - 5pm
Cost: $450 Non-Members | $350 Members
Lunch and afternoon tea included.
> Program- Day One
Thursday, June 19
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Acknowledgement of Country by APA Chair Joe Karten
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Dismantling traditional rental norms and redefining modern living, MODEL’s mission is to cultivate environments with no compromise between self-care, community well-being, and environmental sustainability.
MODEL brings a fresh interpretation of the housing landscape by playing in the golden space where socially and environmentally responsible housing meet. They create spaces that not only cut down on environmental impact but also prioritise residents’ wellbeing. With a combined development cost of $250 million across our first two projects, they are currently delivering 400 residences to the market, including 10% affordable units, helping meet the Victorian government’s housing goals. By the end of 2025 the team aim to have 1000 Passivhaus apartments underway.
Designed for Passivhaus Certification, using mass timber, and achieving a 6 Green Star Rating, will set a global standard in lowering carbon emissions. Importantly, these projects are investable and can be scaled out across Australia, attracting global capital.
This presentation will deliver an overview of:
Their business model, values and drivers
How the team have presented the projects and the Passivhaus Standard to attract Global finance
An overview of the two projects currently underway
Join Matt Mattiske, Richard Stokes and David Mahony as they delve into our innovative approach, share successes, and explore the impact of our work in transforming the rental landscape. Discover how MODEL is not just changing where people live, but how they live, in ways that benefit all.
Speakers: Matt Mattiske (MODEL), Richard Stokes (ARUP) and David Mahony (HIP V. HYPE)
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This presentation explores the journey of integrating Passivhaus Standard into the design of a Steiner School’s new kindergarten for 180 children and classroom building.
Currently in the design phase, our speaker and WA Chapter Co-Chair, Ben Caine will take you through the process and experience he undertook to ensure the Passivhaus Standard was accepted as a part of the project.
He will provide an in-depth overview of the following stakeholder journeys and crucial areas of alignment that make the Passivhaus Standard stick including:
Engaging the school council: Comprising of parents and the School Principal, the Passivhaus Standard was presented through a process of gradual education. The client education process included covering the Passivhaus lifecycle, procurement methodology, health, and marketing benefits.
Addressing initial concerns and resistance: We addressed initial concerns, primarily around financial feasibility and market delivery capabilities and market engagement styles.
The hook: Through open dialogue, we connected Passivhaus Standard benefits—such as enhanced indoor air quality and energy efficiency—with the holistic principles of Steiner pedagogy and anthroposophy. The long-term health benefits for children will position the school as a forward-thinking institution for new Steiner parents.
This case study illustrates how the Passivhaus Standard can harmonise with alternative educational philosophies, ultimately creating a healthier learning environment and setting a new benchmark for sustainable schools.
Speaker: Ben Caine, Leanhaus
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Thermal performance is verified indirectly through insulation datasheets and photos of installed insulation. There is no post-construction experimental measurement of overall thermal performance of Passivhaus buildings.
Using an objective measurement of building thermal performance that may help to redress this shortcoming. These measures are related to the heat retention time and is a proxy indicator of thermal performance in much the same way that the 0-100 km/h acceleration time of cars is used by consumers as a proxy of vehicle performance. Such a measure may be used to differentiate Passivhaus Standard buildings from code-minimum, solar passive and other building types.
This presentation will describe the measurement of heat retention time using data from residential dwellings in Australia, varying from older homes to certified Passivhaus dwellings. The method relies only upon temperature data indoors and outdoors overnight, so can be readily and inexpensively measured. Guidance will be given as to what would be considered normal for a low and high performance building so that home owners, builders and architects can use it for quality assurance, benchmarking and for marketing.
Speakers: Cameron Munro (Passive Analytics) & Harley Truong (Logikhaus)
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The "split incentive" dilemma is a persistent challenge hindering wider adoption of the Passivhaus Standard. The party incurring the upfront costs of Passivhaus construction (typically the developer or building owner) is different from the party reaping the long-term benefits of reduced energy bills and improved occupant comfort/health (the tenant or subsequent owner). This misalignment of costs and benefits creates a significant barrier to investment in Passivhaus, even when lifecycle cost analysis clearly demonstrates the economic viability. This presentation delves into the complexities of the split incentive within the context of Passivhaus projects and offers practical strategies to overcome it.
Speaker: Jason Quinn, Sustainable Engineering Ltd. (NZ)
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This presentation explores how insulated sandwich panels (ISPs) contribute to meeting the Passivhaus performance standard through airtight construction, continuous insulation, and minimal thermal bridging. Drawing on established AS/NZS 4284 testing and certified project case studies, it outlines the practical role of ISPs in creating efficient, reliable building envelopes.
The session will also feature builder Trent Clark (Red Cedar Construction), who will share his experience delivering Passivhaus outcomes on the ground—highlighting real-world installation benefits and lessons learned using Bondor insulated panels.
Presenter: Rohan Madathanapalli, Bondor
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Join in a journey which gives an overview of how optimising a design for thermal performance can benefit the comfort and the budget of a building “without any real compromises.” When you defrag a (Windows, old-style, pardon the association) computer you allow it to run more smoothly as the mechanical hard drive is able to access things more quickly and readily. Applying the analogy to the design of a building allows it to connect better with people and make effective use of the local climate and resources.
Key learning outcomes include:
• Using the Passivhaus Planning Package as a tool to inform better design
• The iterative process taken to advise the architect and client
• A before and after optimisation set of performance results
• Addressing Architectural Intent coexisting with Building Performance
Alex’s engaging and typically curios presentation style will address the above points and encourage you to think deeper about what you ought to design before upgrading window performance. It will challenge the idea of indoor/outdoor living and seek to help you employ strategies to bring the sacred and cosy back into our designs.
Alex will explain the sizing strategies he employs at Building Physics Australia to encourage homeowners to make informative decisions before signing any order to upgrade windows as a default approach. Would you rather design a home for living or for entertainment or perhaps both?
Speaker: Alex Slater
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Presentation by: Graham Irwin, Principal - Essential Habitat Architecture (USA)
This presentation distills 17 years of experience adapting the rigorous Passivhaus standard to California’s sunny, drier climates. Drawing on real-world projects, research, and advocacy work, it explores the technical, cultural, and market-based challenges—and breakthroughs—in applying Passivhaus principles in a region defined by high solar gain, variable microclimates, and a diverse building industry. Attendees will gain practical insights into climate-specific design strategies, lessons from early adoption, and thoughts on promoting Passivhaus in similarly mild and sunny regions.
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New homes built from very traditional materials like strawbale, earth or lime plasters, light earth infill and locally milled timber have successfully achieved Passivhaus certification in New Zealand. Combining these two approaches is unusual but it works. It offers great benefits to occupants—the presenter will outline her own experience—plus a choice of aesthetics.
World-leading official standards have been developed by the earth-building community in Aotearoa that address the need for seismic resistance. New Zealand strawbale homes are airtighting walls using only traditional plasters. The carbon implications of using an agricultural waste product and ultra-local natural resources will be discussed.
Other natural building materials, including light adobe brick and hemp, will be briefly touched on, along with ways to experiment with small amounts of natural materials on new and retrofit projects. The challenges will be outlined and recommendations offered.
Finally, the potential of panelisation will be discussed, with reference to buildings in Australia and Europe, including multi-story and commercial strawbale projects.
Speaker: Rachel Rose, Communications Consultant and Passivhaus Advocate (NZ)
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Andy Marlow will walk us through with a clear-eyed look at the Australian construction industry, the interconnectedness of the system and its possibilities for positive change. We’ll join the dots of some of the biggest challenges of our times and present the step changes we need to address them.
In this presentation Andy will explore:
How rising house prices are eroding society’s fundamental structures
How our current approach to housing of building low quality and cheap does nothing but fuel a future retrofit market, and poorly impact health and wellbeing.
As he examines the downstream issues related to our current housing strategy and products Andy makes it very clear that our linear perspectives on solving problems need an end-to-end solution that recognises the cost of poor-quality homes on health, wellbeing, energy and maintenance.
Speaker: Andy Marlow, Envirotecture -
A great time to mingle with each other and speak to our sponsors and exhibitors.
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Finally drawing a line in the sand about what can and cannot be called a Passivhaus Standard building, in 2025 the Australian Passivhaus Association launched its guidelines on:
What is a Passivhaus Standard building
The benefits of Passivhaus Standard buildings
How to talk about the Passivhaus Standard
Join Kate Nason, Alexia Lidas, Daria Teodorowych and Luc Plowman as they dive into the launch of our ‘Claiming the Passivhaus Standard’ guide and discuss:
How the conversation has transformed in the Australian Market over the last ten years
What we can learn from common mistakes of built environment professionals in talking about the Standard
Some of the legal and repurational issues the market has seen from poor management of these areas
How we can fast track our business case for Passivhaus without putting in the hard yards! (yes, its possible)
Featuring on the panel are:
Alexia Lidas, CEO - Australian Passivhaus Association
Kate Nason, Frasers Property Development
Daria Teodorowych, Director - daria.haus
Luc Plowman, Detail Green
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“The benefits of Passive House: unparalleled comfort, healthier living environments, and lower running costs.” — Stephen O’Shea, Head of Sustainable Construction, Cairn
Stephen O’Shea is the brave Passivhaus advocate responsible for one of the most significant commercial organisational commitments we have seen to delivering the Passivhaus Standard Globally.
Cairn are an Irish housebuilder who have recently launched their organisational strategy and commitment to deliver most future projects as Certified Passivhaus projects.
With 1,750+ Certified Passive House units under construction, with 1000+ more in the pipeline, joining us from Ireland, Stephen O’Shea will take us through a behind-the-scenes understanding of:
How Cairn came to this decision
What has needed to be considered across their organisation and supply chain
How they are working with the local market and Governments to ensure the Passivhaus Standard is a successful incorporated feature of their projects
The commercial implications of this from a cost, profit and marketing perspective
Speaker: Stephen O’Shea, Cairn (IE)
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Food, drinks, and a boat cruise - a great social opportunity to make new connections with Passivhaus practitioners and experts. Scroll down for more information.
"The best conference I have been to in years! It was incredibly inspirational and a good opportunity to reconnect with the best people in the industry and meet new people. It reminded me of the reason I became an architect in the first place, to create healthy, comfortable and beautiful buildings for people to live, work and play. This is all possible with Passivhaus. Thank you for organising!”
- Estelle Roman - Project Architect, Fraser & Partners
> Training sessions - Day One
Thursday, June 19
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This session offers attendees a practical and detailed understanding of glazing compliance and performance requirements in both Passivhaus (PH) and NCC Deemed to Satisfy (DtS) standards. Participants will learn to identify essential glazing data, differentiate between PH and DtS standards such as NatHERS, BASIX, and Section J, and determine when to use Double or Triple Glazed Units. The training covers key concepts including Ug/U-values, g-value/SHGC, LowE coatings, and how these elements impact glazing performance. Attendees will also understand compliance requirements under the NCC, relevant Australian Standards, safety glass applications, and size limitations for human impact and wind loads. Real-world case studies from AGG-supplied PH projects like Glenroy Community Hub, Limestone House, and German International School, NSW, will provide applied context and insight into best practices.
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: MCEC Clarendon Room D
This training is facilitated by Australian Glass Group and is exclusive for THRIVE Conference attendees.
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This training provides a step-by-step guide to properly installing windows in energy efficient, high performance homes. It begins with an introduction to high performance windows and emphasizes the critical role of proper installation in achieving airtightness, insulation, and durability. Attendees will learn how to plan installations, select the right window specifications (such as triple glazing and Low-E coatings), and prepare the structural opening. The training covers techniques for correctly placing, fixing, sealing, and flashing windows to ensure thermal alignment and water management. It also highlights common mistakes to avoid and stresses the importance of sequencing, detailing, and following manufacturer guidelines. A case study of a Passivhaus certifiable home in Melbourne showcases results and lessons learned, followed by an open Q&A for discussion.
Date: 19th June 2025 Thursday
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Location: MCEC Clarendon Room D
This training is facilitated by BINQ and is exclusive for THRIVE Conference attendees.
Thriving and Jiving - Evening Event
Registrations end June 10
Thursday, June 19
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After a full day at THRIVE 2025 Conference, keep the energy going with an exclusive sunset cruise! Enjoy fantastic food, drinks, and networking while taking in the stunning views.
This year we have thought outside the box for an experience to offer, we have hired a boat that will be a 3 hour water cruise!
This event is open to everyone, including those who can't attend the conference but still want to network. Members & non-members are welcome! Tickets are limited - reserve yours now!
Venue:
Date: 19 June 2025
Time: 6:00 - 9:00pm
Venue: Australian Boat Charters, Docklands
Tickets for this event are sold separately
Gold Sponsor
Principal Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
> Program - Day Two
Friday, June 20
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Tim Ross, is the Principal at Architype in NZ and specialises in the design of Passivhaus Standard buildings. This presentation covers their recent Certified Passivhaus Multi-unit housing projects:
Toiora Cohousing Neighbourhood, Dunedin – 21 homes
Leith Street Student Accommodation, Dunedin – 19 homes
Dunedin City Council Community Housing, Dunedin. – 10 homes
Travelling to be with us in person, Tim dives into how these townhouses and apartments are the ‘low hanging fruit’ of Passivhaus building typologies by using build cost, comfort and energy consumption data gathered since these projects were completed.
Speaker: Tim Ross, Architype (NZ)
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Alexx Stuart was diagnosed chronic inflammatory response syndrome” (CIRS) due to a biotoxin exposure this led to her in depth understanding the widespread effects of environmental biotoxin exposure. From this experience her educational platform Low Tox life was born. With an audience of over 65,000 she educates people on toxins in food, environments and cleaning products.
A converted Passivhaus advocate, Alexx has personally seen the difference in her health from living in a Passivhaus Standard building. She has since publicised her support of the standard having lived the benefits. In her presentation Alexx will provide:
Evidence from healthcare professionals about the impact of biotoxin exposure.
The scale of these issues in Australia compared to other countries.
Her experience staying in a Passivhaus Standard building compared to a poorly built home as a person who is highly vulnerable and sensitive to her environment.
And an overview of how to use the evidence and case studies to convert more Passivhaus advocates.
This builds from last year’s presentation from Merylese Mercieca featuring a health case study and takes the health-based argument into a deeper dive where we will hear directly from the occupant themselves, who has been so passionate that she’s transformed her experience to a life vision and business to help others.
Speaker: Alexx Stuart
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A great time to mingle with each other and speak to our sponsors and exhibitors.
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The process of urbanization and densification fundamentally alters the physical characteristics and layout of our environment. One well-known consequence of this transformation is the Heat Island Effect, where urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures compared to nearby rural areas. This effect not only impacts outdoor thermal comfort but also increases the energy demand and cooling loads of buildings, leading to higher emissions in cities.
Currently, the design industry does not commonly prioritize designing with climate change in mind. When it comes to energy and comfort modelling, buildings are still designed based on outdated historical weather data that is no longer relevant. Furthermore, the historical weather data collected usually comes from non-urban areas like airports, where the Heat Island Effect does not occur. The Passivhaus Standard has been acknowledged as a dependable approach for predicting future performance and energy consumption. This reliability largely stems from the quality of the input data provided to the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and the rigorous quality control adhered to during construction. Nonetheless, the industry has identified that overheating poses a significant risk for Passivhaus Standard projects, and there tends to be a discrepancy between the estimated cooling and overheating figures produced by models and the actual performance observed in practice.
The presentation shows a framework that leverages existing data and modelling tools (Urban Weather Generator, Ladybug tools) to parametrically run different design options to assess the Heat Island Effect under different future weather scenarios to better design for adaption. The study run a sensibility test for hundreds of scenarios to better understand the key design considerations planners and designers need to focus on.
Speaker: Pablo Sepulveda, Architect
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The Passivhaus (PH) building standard is the most stringent energy efficiency standard in the world. It is quickly being identified as one path to achieving the carbon reduction goals set forth by a multitude of states and municipalities around the country and the world. Even though the word “House” is in the title, the principles can be successfully applied to all building types and sizes and for new and retrofit projects. Projects range from single family dwellings to large scale multi-family mixed use buildings to commercial spaces and industrial buildings. The concepts are a consistent roadmap to achieving high performance, net zero ready and net zero carbon buildings.
This session will explore how and why this standard has made such inroads into markets other than the single family, new construction market, how it is helping achieve climate action goals around the world and the financial case for widespread implementation.
Case studies of completed projects (new and retrofits) will be presented which include large scale office space, hotels, mixed use multifamily buildings and an industrial building.
Speaker: Lois Arena, Steven Winter Associates (USA)
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A great time to mingle with each other and speak to our sponsors and exhibitors.
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Rory Hunter is an entrepreneur, founder and CEO of multiple award-winning, sustainable property companies across Australia and South-East Asia. He brings a planet-conscious and people-centred approach to projects including his latest venture - Model, which he founded in 2023 and presently steers as CEO.
Model is a new, Australian build-to-rent group with a purpose to cultivate places where there is no compromise between taking care of ourselves, each other, and the planet. Built on the pillars of climate action, community building and design innovation, Model delivers thoughtfully designed, secure, connected, carbon neutral homes where health and wellbeing are at the core of the everyday experience.
Model’s design and philosophy is informed by Rory’s experience as an accomplished hotelier, developer and community builder. This includes establishing and leading SoHo Partners, a group dedicated to creating carbon neutral, mid-rise residential developments. He was also the Founder and CEO of the Song Saa Collective (2005-2021), a mission-driven real estate group, which developed a range of hotels, residential and master planned communities including the award-winning, ethical luxury resort Song Saa Private Island and 230 hectare Song Saa Reserve.
Rory also founded the Song Saa Foundation in 2013 - an independent NGO dedicated to preserving Cambodia's marine environment. A highlight of the foundation includes creating the country's first ever Marine National Park in partnership with Monaco's Prince Albert. The project’s success saw Rory receive the 2013 National Geographic - Leader in Sustainable Tourism award.
Rory has a deep commitment to improving the ways in which his industry operates and is dedicated to driving meaningful change for the future. He is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Global Board Member of the Young Presidents’ Organization Sports and Outdoors Network (2023-2024), member of the Property Council of Australia’s Sustainable Development Committee (2023-2024) and has spoken at prominent conferences including the G20 and Davos.
Rory is a Harvard Business School graduate and studied the Sustainability and Resilience program at Stanford University. In 2019, he participated in the Harvard Kennedy School’s Global Leadership and Public Policy program. He also holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney.
APA Chair, Joe Karten interviews Rory Hunter to get under the hood take a dive into systemic leadership.
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This session explores what the Australian Passivhaus Association is doing to influence building codes, government policy, and retrofit legislation. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes update on our advocacy efforts recognising that real change takes time, collaboration, and persistence.
APA’s Advocacy Lead, Stalin Chakrabarty, will share how we’re engaging with government, industry, and the wider public. Joel Seagren (Chair of the Standards, Codes & Legislation Advocacy Working Group) and Linden Thorley (Chair of the EnerPHit / PH Retrofit Committee) will discuss the progress and challenges their committees are working through.
These efforts are powered by a passionate group of members and volunteers working together to improve building standards and increase the adoption of Passivhaus in Australia. The session will be moderated by APA CEO, Alexia Lidas.
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Kieran will present and in-depth look at the design of a large scale, accommodation project where Passivhaus provided the solution to meet the project needs.
Designed to be scalable, the client wanted a no mould, healthy, robust and safe environment. Kieran will share insights into how design, performance, cost, and constructability goals were balanced achieved and effectively communicated
Speaker: Kieran Leong, DesignInc Melbourne
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This presentation uses the Bob Marshman Building (BMB) to analyse the benefits and challenges associated with applying the Passivhaus Standard to learning environments within a subtropical climate.
The building, completed in 2024 for the Construction Training Centre, was designed as a living laboratory that explores emergent passive thermal design principles, sustainability, and the impacts of these on construction education pathways. It has been formally certified as Queensland’s first Passivhaus training facility.
The Deicke Richards architectural team worked closely with the environmental consultant and the engineering and services team to ensure that the resulting built form aligned with the key Passivhaus Standard requirements. Whilst this was the first Passivhaus project for most of the consultants involved, everyone came together as a team to resolve numerous challenges that occurred during the design and construction of the project, including the positioning and sizing of the double glazed, fully thermally broken windows, the challenging detailing of the continuous airtight barrier and double thermal insulation, eliminating thermal bridges and the design of the heat recovery ventilators.
BMB Fast Facts
The building is double insulated and fully wrapped with a membrane to create airtightness.
The building has 0.6 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals (ACH50) of pressure.
The build’s total embodied carbon footprint is 141,810kg CO2-e.
BMB cost $6m to build and came in under budget.
93% of the construction and demolition waste (CDW) was recycled (5.6 tones);
The carbon footprint of the 4 main elements of the building:
o Concrete 45,295 kg CO2-e;
o Bricks 4,909 kgCO2-e;
o Timber frame 14,815 kg Cos-e; and o Plasterboard 5,067 kgCO2-e.
In addition to the carbon credits to secure the concrete, bricks and plasterboard carbon zero performance, CTC planted 5,000 trees to make up for the 5 trees removed. This equates to 110,000 kg CO2-e per year.
4 bay EV fast chargers saving an estimated 48,000 kg CO2-e annually (48 metric tonnes).
The expected energy savings of BMB are anticipated to be between 50-90% less than a traditionally constructed building of the same size.
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A great time to mingle with each other and speak to our sponsors and exhibitors.
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The construction industry is under increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency to achieve Net Zero 2050 targets. Passivhaus Standard dwellings, known for their exceptional energy efficiency, require high-performance building envelopes that optimize thermal performance and airtightness. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) offer a prefabricated solution that enhances both sustainability and building performance.
Speaker: Elena Cazacu (Evissa) and Sadeep Thilakarathna (University of Melbourne)
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This presentation will detail the evolution of Passivhaus in the UK over the past two decades, highlighting key milestone projects, including Emma’s own work. It will examine the drivers and barriers to growth and share a perspective on the ambitions for the next 10 years.
Speaker: Emma Osmundsen -
Concluding day 2 of our Passivhaus conference, our excellent conference committee will round out the event with an overview of the 2 days, thoughts & feedback, favourite presentation etc.
Committee includes:
Merylese Mercieca
Marcus Strang
Estelle Roman
Phil Diver
Carlos Acuna
27 expert presenters, over 250 Passivhaus professionals, 18 Trade Show exhibitors, 3 Training Sessions and 3 extra fringe events, over 2 days.
Join us for the biggest Australian Passivhaus event of the year.
“The conference provided excellent opportunities for learning and networking with some of the best in the business. All sessions were very informative. More importantly, I can immediately apply what I learned to my business”
- Kelly Beard - Operations Manager, Emerald Building Services Pty Ltd
> Training session - Day Two
Friday, June 20
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An introductory-level Training from beginner to intermediate level.
This introductory to intermediate-level training provides a comprehensive understanding of how to achieve Passivhaus standards using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). Participants will explore the fundamentals of SIPs, their benefits in sustainable construction, and how to integrate them into non-SIPs building designs. The session covers essential aspects such as engineering and connection details, shop drawings, HRV system integration, airtight installation techniques to achieve 0.6 ACH, and compliance with PHPP and NatHERS ratings. Attendees will gain insight from various perspectives—including designers, architects, builders, and homeowners—on selecting SIPs suppliers, understanding certification processes, and achieving thermal bridge-free, energy-efficient construction. Actual examples, visuals, and performance modeling will enhance their ability to apply SIPs in future projects.
Training time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: MCEC Clarendon Room D
This training is facilitated by Smart SIPs Pty Ltd and is exclusive for THRIVE Conference attendees.
Saturday, June 21
Earn 4 Passivhaus CPD Points
Berninneit Site Tour
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This year's THRIVE Site Tour will be held at Berninneit Cultural Centre. The meaning of Berninneit is "Gather Together", and is a Boon Wurrung word selected by the community, following Council's decision to to name the building with a First Nations naming word as an act of reconciliation.
The Berninneit Cultural Centre has been designed to meet the community's need for artistic and community programs. It features a performing arts space and cinema, a gallery, a library, a historical museum, event spaces, and community meeting rooms, along with the Bass Coast Shire Council's Customer and Visitor Information Service for Cowes.
Berninneit is operated as part of Bass Coast Cultural Venues. The 260 seat performing arts space and cinema offers a full program of events including new release cinema, music, dance, comedy and theatre, alongside community events and venue hire.
Construction of this Passivhaus building began in March 2022, and it officially opened to the public on November 2, 2023.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Return bus travel from the Melbourne Convention and Entertainment Centre to the BCC
A 30-minute presentation by Gregory Rice and Lawrence Le from Inhabit
A self-guided tour, allowing participants one hour to explore the entire site
Lunch at Hotel Philip Island, located just a five-minute walk from the cultural center. Ticket prices include one meal and a beverage.
PROJECT TEAM
Architect: Jackson Clements Burrows Architects
Builder: McCorkell Constructions
PH Consultant: Inhabit
Certifier: Detail Green
SCHEDULE
Saturday June 21, 2025
08:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Bus collection from MCEC going to Berninneit Cultural Centre
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - 30-minute presentation from Gregory and Lawrence (Inhabit), 1 hour self-guided tour around Berninneit
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM - Lunch at Hotel Philip Island, a 5 minute walk from Berninneit Cultural Centre
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Bus collection from the cultural centre going back to MCEC
COST
Members $140
Non-members $165
**This site tour is exclusively for conference attendees and has limited availability, with only 50 seats available.
After registration for the THRIVE Conference you may proceed with the Berninneit Site Tour registration, but please note that all registrations will be under approval before you complete the payment. For any inquiries, feel free to contact Issa Bao or the APA Admin.
The Brains Trust
Our Conference Committee
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Carlos Acuna
DIRECTOR - ENERGY EFFICIENCY PERTH
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Merylese Mercieca
BUSINESS MANAGER - BLUE ECO HOMES
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Marcus Strang
TECHNICAL LEAD& PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIER - HIP V. HYPE
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Estelle Roman
PROJECT ARCHITECT - FRASER & PARTNERS
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Phil Diver
CEO & COMPANY SECRETARY - CISC PTY LTD
Trade Show Exhibitors
Down to 1 exhibitor spot remaining!
Get your product in front of 250+ engaged Passivhaus practitioners. Reserve today and pay the exhibitor fee in installments. Send us an email to find out more.
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Bondor® is Australia’s leader in complete thermal building solutions and lightweight architectural panels. More than just the leading manufacturer of insulated panels, Bondor® has unrivalled experience in design assistance and construction.
As Australia’s only manufacturer, distributor and installer of EPS-FR cored panels, Factory Mutual Approved PIR cored panels and Factory Mutual Approved Mineral Fibre cored panels, Bondor® is in a unique position to be able to offer our customers impartial advice on the right insulated panel solution to meet their needs.
Founded in the 1950s, Bondor® offers the most comprehensive range of insulated panel products and systems available. As the developer of the original patented Slip Joint which makes the system work, Bondor® is constantly working on solutions for industrial and commercial building customers across Australia.
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Established in 2009, BINQ is a privately owned Australian company whose influence comes from travelling the globe researching the most advanced window systems, machinery and manufacturing techniques.
Expanding its business and operations to a national, recognised brand, BINQ has two manufacturing plants located in Melbourne, Victoria, with a combined floor area of over 3,000m2, and is now Australia's largest high-performance window manufacturer.
As things have evolved, our core company values are built on solid foundations of integrity, trust, and a high focus on customer service, driven by providing value and delivering high-quality products made from quality workmanship.
Our customer service is geared to exceptional standards at each touch point of the customer journey, with responsiveness being the critical driver right from the first touch point, through the sales process, to scheduling and production and after-sales services.
Our diverse product offer consists of timber and uPVC window systems catering to a range of both residential and commercial markets in Australia, specializing in high-performing, thermally efficient, architectural window systems.
Windows have tradionally been viewed as a utilitarian product where a designer has designed a hole in a wall for a window to be installed into, whereas we view windows as much more than that. We view windows as the most important element in a building that has a dramatic impact on the design, aesthetics, functionality, liveability, and performance of a home.
We've always been very focused on the type of business we want to be and the type of business we want to be known for and it's this clarity that continues to drive the business every day.
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Australian Glass Group (AGG) are glass processors of Insulated Glass Units (IGU), made in Australia at their three glass processing plants; Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart.
AGG specialise in high performance softcoat LowE IGU, including Double and Triple Glazing, with Passivhaus certified WarmEdge spacers, and argon gas-filled air gaps in all of their units. Passivhaus performance data (EN-673 and EN-410 and PSI values) are available on all of their glass make-ups.
With locally stocked raw glass at all three plants, AGG can currently manufacturer and supply within 7 days, including the highest performing triple glazed units with Ug values of 0.5, and a full range of g-values to suit any climate.
Pick up our Passivhaus White Paper at our display and you will also get to see our IGU range as well as feel them in action in our unique HeatBox demonstrations!
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Industry Leaders For 50 Years
Engineering Expertise
Fantech has been at the forefront of fan and acoustics technology by developing and implementing new and innovative products for virtually every air movement and ventilation need, as well as noise attenuation.Continuous Improvement
We have been accredited under ISO9001 since 1992 and more recently ISO9001:2015 - Quality Management System, Fantech maintains high standards of manufacturing and a continuous improvement culture.Extensive Manufacturing & Warehousing
With modern manufacturing plants in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and warehouses throughout Australia and New Zealand, we provide unmatched delivery performance and customer service.Excellent Support Services
With modern manufacturing plants in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and warehouses throughout Australia and New Zealand, we provide unmatched delivery performance and customer service.Representation
Fantech offers a most comprehensive network of representatives, including offices in all capital cities and regions of Australia and New Zealand, as well as throughout South East Asia. -
Logikhaus was founded in 2017 and has become Australia's leading supplier of Passivhaus certified Aluclad Timber windows and doors.
To date, Logikhaus has supplied windows and doors to at least 23 certified Passivhaus projects across Australia, with many more in the pipeline.
Logikhaus windows and doors are manufactured in Europe, in a state of the art factory covering more that 5000m2, with over 185 employees.
The Logikhaus success story has been built on:
Exceptional quality products with the latest innovative design and technologies
Sustainable FSC certified timbers
Full product PHPP and NatHERS data
Full product testing to Australian Standards AS1288 (glass in building installations) AS2208 (safety glass) AS2047 (air infiltration, water infiltration and structural strength)
BAL 40 bushfire certification (AS1530.8.1-2018)
Market leading before and after sales customer service
10 years of Passivhaus building knowledge and expertise
To complement the windows and doors, Logikhaus supplies motorised external zipscreen blinds, for the ultimate in solar heat gain control and privacy.
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Innovative, yet down-to-earth. Open-minded, yet regionally rooted. Extremely versatile and steady at the same time – this is aluplast. Despite its international success, aluplast still is a family-run business. The company, which now in its second generation, is characterised by flat hierarchies and short decision-making processes.
Company founder Manfred J. Seitz and his sons Dirk Seitz and Patrick Seitz managed to transform aluplast into one of the most successful companies in its industry in just a few years.
Four key factors played a major role in its success:
Innovation: Constant product development and innovation are important to the success of both the aluplast group and its cooperation partners. We analyse current market requirements to create new products that satisfy the demand and meet our customers’ highest expectations. So it is no surprise to hear that our innovative power has been recognised, with aluplast being named one of the Top 100 most innovative SMEs in Germany.
Partnership: Our customers and partners are at the heart of everything we do. The company headquarters also maintains close partnerships and cooperation with its many different production plants and sales offices all over the world. This enables it to make the most of synergies.
Flexibility: Although aluplast has gone on to become a key global player, it has managed to retain the positive attributes that are often attributed to SMEs. Flexibility remains one of our greatest strengths. Short communication channels and lean structures allow us to respond quickly to customer demands and market requirements.
Compatibility: “Compatibility” is the secret ingredient in aluplast's recipe for success. But what does it actually mean? It means that all product ranges can be mixed and matched, making life a lot easier for window fabricators. The company's owners, the Seitz family, have cultivated this philosophy right from the outset, making sure that each new product lives up to this vision.
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Siegware was formed in 2009 to supply Siegenia hardware to the energy-efficient window industry in Australia. Since then we have increased our product range to include other quality brands for a variety of uses, mostly in the building industry. We also supply New Zealand.
We know our reputation is built on the reputation of both our products and our service. With extensive industry experience, we provide technical expertise and understand the need for reliable supply and superior customer service.
Siegware is partnered with select world-leading companies. This enables us to stock a range of consumable and construction products, for example Isocell wraps and tapes, Sherpa connectors, Adler low-VOC paints, and Paarhammer certified Passivhaus windows.
Real value for our customers:
Consistent reliable supply with a large stock holding in Australia.
Knowledgeable technical support with an extensive and sound knowledge of our products.
Superior customer service, stock management system, and order tracking.
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Pacific Ventilation, a trusted name in ventilation, combines decades of expertise to address your indoor air quality needs. With a robust network of offices, sales teams, and distributors nationwide, we are equipped to provide comprehensive solutions for any ventilation challenge.
Our offerings include:
Fans and Ancillaries: Suitable for commercial, residential, and industrial applications.
Attenuation Products: For noise control and enhanced system performance.
Air Handling Units (AHUs) and Fan Coil Units (FCUs): Efficient climate control.
Plug and Play Car Park Ventilation Systems: Car park design and CFD analysis.
Passive House Certified AHUs and HRU’s: Ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability.
Online Selection Tools: Streamline equipment selection and drafting with Specifier and our Revit add-in, minimising errors.
After-Sales Service and Engineering Support: Dedicated support to ensure project success.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Systemair AB Group, a global leader in HVAC innovation, Pacific Ventilation delivers high-quality products and services with timely delivery and expert support.
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Pro Clima’s airtightness and weathertightness patented building systems, in combination with effective insulation and appropriate ventilation, create energy efficient, low allergen emitting, comfortable, healthy homes and places of business. Pro Clima’s patented systems also ensure the long term effectiveness of the insulation and the structural durability of the building by protecting it from moisture damage, thereby making sure your healthy, energy efficient and eco friendly environment remains that way for many years in the future.
Pro Clima is a leader in the field of development and manufacture of intelligent high performance sealing systems for thermal insulation in constructions.
Pro Clima Australia Pty Ltd was established in 2010 after a number of years of extensive research which identified a need for high quality air and weather tightness products in Australia.
Pro Clima has been providing intelligent airtight and weathertight building solutions from Germany to the world since 1981. Lothar Moll, Director of Pro Clima Australia Pty Ltd and Pro Clima Germany, is a world leading building physicist and expert on airtightness systems. In 1994 he discovered the MVTR – moisture vapour transmission rate variable membrane, the Intelligent part of INTELLO, which became part of the patented pro clima Intelligent Airtightness System (IAS).
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Headquartered in Melbourne and servicing all of Australia, Smart SIPs Pty Ltd provides everything needed for High-Performance and Passivhaus Design and Construction using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for Walls, Floors, Roofs, and or Ceilings.
We will assist homeowners, Architects and Builders with all their SIPs requirements, from Home Design, Working Drawings, SIPs engineering, SIPs consulting, and SIPs panel supply, including SIPs installation training.
We also supply Passivhaus certified windows, HRV systems and design services, building wraps and SIPs tapes, so providing you with a one stop external building envelope design and supply.
We have approved Builders or will assist to train new Builders and Owner Builders, Architects and Building Designers in the methords of construction using Smart SIPs panels.
Ready to Assemble (RTA) Prefabricated SIPs housing kits
Building Design Services for Passivhaus and Net Zero construction
Shop Drawings to convert your Non-SIPs Design for our SIPs Supply Kit
SIPs Engineering and Non-SIPs Engineering
Panel Layout Drawings for Installation
Installation Training
OSB SIPs Walls, Floor and Roof panels
MgO SIPs Walls, Floor and Roof panels
Cement Sheet SIPs Walls, Floor and Roof panels
PHPP modelling for Passivhaus and Passivhaus Certification
HRV System Design and Supply
Passivhaus certified windows, specification and supply
Building Wraps for Walls, Roofs and SIPs Tape
Technical Support for Passive House and Net Zero construction
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DEHUM PTY LTD are Humidity Control specialists with over 20 years of industry experience, we are suppliers of Humidifiers, Dehumidifiers, and HRV/ERV systems from Marketing leading manufacturers in Europe and the USA for Indoor Pools, Houses, Apartments, Medical Centres, Gyms, Health Retreats, Schools, Aged Care Facilities, Yoga Studios, Commercial Buildings, and Industrial Spaces, Agriculture, Plant Growing Facilities.
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XTOUR 3D was developed to facilitate the construction quality process and create an ability for builders to document their works in a simple and professional manner.
Our mission is to replace the hundreds of low resolution photos traditionally taken during the quality management process with an intuitive and easy to use platform. We utilise the latest 3D technology to generate a virtual model of your project which can then be used to facilitate quality management at all stages of the project lifecycle. -
Prefabricated healthy & sustainable homes.
Alpine PassivHaus manufactures high-performance, prefabricated homes designed for comfort, health, and sustainability, based on the internationally recognised PassivHaus standard. Based in the Snowy Mountains, we operate an off-grid production facility where we build bespoke homes and develop panelised construction systems to make energy-efficient living more accessible. We deliver across the entire East Coast of Australia.
As part of our commitment to quality, we proudly supply Wiegand triple-glazed windows from Germany and are an official partner of the Proctor Group, offering a full range of high-performance membranes, tapes, and ventilation accessories.
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NetZero Plus supply superior building materials, wall/roof/floor panels as well as windows to their clients here in Australia and formed partnerships with architects and building designers in NSW, ACT as well as VIC and QLD.
With their combined experience of over 30 years in the construction industry they have implemented many interesting projects not only in European countries like Germany and Switzerland but also in South and middle America. They al supply building elements for individual clients, but also for investors.
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Specialising in high quality Nordic style window treatments for the harsh Australian climate, we started as a Canberra-based family-run business and have grown to cover ACT, Sydney, NSW and greater Melbourne. We also provide a remote service across the rest of Australia, assisting with measuring, fabric selection and installation from afar.
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DCTech is proudly 100% Australian owned and operated with over thirty years experience in supplying a range technically advanced thermal insulation materials to the Australian construction industry.
Driven by a clear focus on customer service through national product availability, installation and maintenance advice, a competitive pricing structure and our comprehensive Technical Library, ensuring that when you select DCTech as your preferred insulation supplier, you are selecting a company with "the knowledge to produce solutions".
DCTech will continue to extend its product range in Australia and New Zealand by assessing the requirements of local customers and matching this with a combination of product development and an existing range of tried and tested leading edge products and systems from Europe and the USA.
Being both large enough to ensure quantity and small enough to ensure quality, DCTech is unique in its ability to offer total system solutions from foundation to roof.
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Solcraft was founded in 2011, backed by over 30 years of experience in sandwich panel production. As a pioneer in energy-efficient construction, we specialize in next-generation SIP panels (Structural Insulated Panels)—eco-friendly building materials inspired by North American and European technologies, and patented in Poland and internationally.
As the Ambassador of Passive Construction for the Polish Institute of Passive Construction and Renewable Energy, Solcraft is committed to cost-effective, sustainable solutions for both residential and industrial buildings.
We are proudly represented in Australia by our local partner, A1 Smart Homes Australia.
THRIVE Public Trade Show 2025
Our THRIVE Trade Show is open to the public on both days of the Passivhaus Conference.
Don’t miss your chance to meet experts leading the way in sustainable building — register today for FREE!
Dates: 19th and 20th June 2025 Time: 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Registration closes 10 June
Affiliate Partners
We’re incredibly grateful to our industry partners who have shown their strong support to THRIVE 2025.
Industry Supporters
> Venue - Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne
2 Clarendon Street, South Wharf VIC 3006
The conference will be held in Clarendon Auditorium, located near the Clarendon Street entrance of MCEC. Please use this entrance when arriving at the conference.
Hear from Thrive Passivhaus Conference Attendees
