Events
25th of June event “Electrify your home” hosted by Orange City Council
Reflections on the “Electrify Your Home” Event in Orange…
2025 Off Grid Living Festival
I had the pleasure of speaking at the Off Grid Living Festival 2025…
2025 Planetary Health Day
On the 1st of March 2025, I had the honour of participating in Planetary Health Day…
Blog Posts
How Passive House principles can improve existing home performance?
Understanding Passive House principles gives insight into how a home SHOULD perform. These five principles—airtightness, insulation, quality windows, mechanical ventilation, and minimising thermal bridges—work together to ensure comfort, energy efficiency, and durability! If you have a very tight budget and you’re NOT planning a full Passive House renovation, don’t worry!
From Dream to Reality: Building a Passive House
Are you curious about what it takes to create a Passive House? It’s more than just sketches and approvals – it’s a journey of creativity, collaboration, and precision! 1. Sketch Design – We start with your vision, balancing the client brief, budget, site conditions, solar access, and our knowledge of Passive
What is a thermal bridge?
Thermal bridges are weak spots in a building’s thermal envelope, allowing heat to escape or enter through those points. Any corner or joint in the building (e.g. slab edges, wall-to-roof junctions, ridges) requires careful detailing to prevent unnecessary energy loss. If thermal bridges aren’t properly managed with efficient detailing, they
Everyone knows, insulation is mandatory!
Insulation is one of the main pillars of Passive House design, but it works closely with other principles to be effective. For example, a well-insulated, airtight house will have higher moisture levels, leading to humidity and condensation. This is managed through mechanical ventilation and smart vapour-permeable membranes (check out my
What is an HRV or ERV? And why do you need one?
A Heat Recovery Ventilation system (HRV) or an Energy Recovery system (ERV) is vital in Passive Houses. It ensures a constant supply of fresh air by expelling stale indoor air and bringing in fresh outdoor air—all while filtering out pollutants, allergens, and excess moisture. For cooler days, an ERV system
Can I open my windows?
Yes! There are great advantages to opening your windows in a Passive House. Contrary to what many might think, living in a Passive House doesn’t mean sealing yourself off from fresh air. Opening your windows can actually play a crucial role in maintaining comfort and energy efficiency. For instance, during
Why does airtightness matter?
When it comes to creating sustainable, comfortable, and healthy homes, airtightness is key. Airtight membranes ensure your home is well-sealed, preventing unwanted air leakage. This is crucial for maintaining a consistent indoor temperature and minimising energy loss, but it’s also vital for health. Why is this important for indoor health?When