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Passive House Blog Australia — reimagined habitat’s expert articles on healthy, energy-efficient homes, certification, and sustainable design for Australians.
Prefab vs Traditional Building: What Really Matters When You’re Planning Your Home
Prefab vs Traditional Building: What Really Matters When You’re Planning Your Home Prefab vs Traditional Building: What Really Matters When You’re Planning Your Home Building
Beyond Carbon: Why Timber Is Changing the Way We Design and Build Homes
Beyond Carbon: Why Timber Is Changing the Way We Design and Build Homes For a long time, timber has been talked about as the “low-carbon
When Homes Make You Sick: The Hidden Danger of Mould (and What We Can Do About It)
When Homes Make You Sick: The Hidden Danger of Mould (and What We Can Do About It) We don’t often think of our homes as
Podcast Feature: The Performance Gap and De-Risking Your Build with Michael Drage
Podcast Feature: The Performance Gap and De-Risking Your Build with Michael Drage We’re excited to share that Michael Drage recently joined Jess on The Building Sciology
What If The Biggest Health Risk Isn’t Outside — But Inside Our Homes?
What If The Biggest Health Risk Isn’t Outside — But Inside Our Homes? If We Spend 90% of Our Lives Indoors, Why Aren’t We Talking
Choosing the Right Builder in Today’s Market (What Really Matters)
why not every builder suits every project
what to look for beyond a polished portfolio
how communication and project structure impact your experience
and why alignment with performance goals (like comfort and energy efficiency) is so important
Navigating the Current Building Market: What Homeowners Need to Know
Navigating the Current Building Market: What Homeowners Need to Know The current building market is challenging for homeowners, with rising costs, delays and uncertainty shaping
When 17°C Outside Turned Into 28°C Inside: A Real Story About Why Our Homes Still Fail Us
When 17°C Outside Turned Into 28°C Inside: A Real Story About Why Our Homes Still Fail Us Home overheating in Australia is no longer just
Podcast Session: “Ask the Expert: Smart Home Design for Builders and Renovators.”
Podcast Session: “Ask the Expert: Smart Home Design for Builders and Renovators.” Smart Home Design: Why High-Performance Homes Start with the Basics Recently, Michael Drage
Autumn in Australia: Why Your Home Shouldn’t Be Hot by Day and Cold by Night
Autumn in Australia: Why Your Home Shouldn’t Be Hot by Day and Cold by Night Autumn has arrived across Australia — and with it, that
Affordable Housing Starts with the Envelope: Why Windows Matter More Than You Think
Affordable Housing Starts with the Envelope: Why Windows Matter More Than You Think When people talk about affordable housing, the conversation usually focuses on land
Snowy Mountains Opportunity — Designed, Ready, and About to Launch
Snowy Mountains Opportunity — Designed, Ready, and About to Launch Snowy Mountains Opportunity — Designed, Ready, and About to Launch This is a project that’s
Why “Building to Passive House Principles” Isn’t Enough
Why “Building to Passive House Principles” Isn’t Enough We often hear the phrase: “We built it to Passive House principles.” And while that sounds reassuring,
Is Privacy Overrated? What Germany Taught Me About Community and Belonging
Is Privacy Overrated? What Germany Taught Me About Community and Belonging Written by Simone Schenkel I’ve had the privilege of spending time in Germany twice
Shading Your Home Properly: One of the Most Powerful (and Overlooked) Design Tools
Shading Your Home Properly: One of the Most Powerful (and Overlooked) Design Tools If you’ve read Simone’s recent post about returning to the rental market
Why Australian Homes Are So Cold, Hot, and Expensive to Run It
Why Australia’s Homes Are Still Failing Us — and What We Can Do About It Insights from a conversation with Jo Taranto and reimagined habitat
When Climate Research Becomes Personal: Heat, Health and Rental Housing in Australia
When Climate Research Becomes Personal: Lessons on Heat, Health and Housing Written by Simone Schenkel Australia’s Heatwave Reality Heat, health and rental housing in Australia
Extreme Heat Is No Longer an Exception — It’s a Design Reality
Extreme Heat Is No Longer an Exception — It’s a Design Reality Published: January 2026 Extreme heat is no longer a “once-in-a-generation” event. It’s becoming
Sustainability Trends for 2026
Sustainability Trends for 2026 What’s shaping healthier, smarter homes next year (and beyond) Sustainability isn’t something we’re waiting for anymore — 2026 is already here,
How to Keep a House Cool in Summer | Healthy Home Design for Australia
How to Keep a House Cool in Summer | Healthy Home Design for Australia Knowing how to keep a house cool in summer is becoming
End-of-Year Wrap-Up: 2025 -What a Year It Has Been!
End-of-Year Wrap-Up: 2025 -What a Year It Has Been! As We Reach the Final Days of 2025 It’s hard not to pause, breathe, and reflect
Comfort isn’t a mystery — it’s the predictable outcome of good building physics
The Unpriced Climate Risk: What It Means for Australian Homes — and How We Can Reduce It When people walk into a truly comfortable home,
ACT Recognises Passivhaus as an Official Compliance Pathway
ACT Recognises Passivhaus as an Official Compliance Pathway At reimagined habitat, we are always watching for policy shifts that move Australia toward healthier, more comfortable,
Already Have Plans? Here’s Why Prefab Could Be Your Best Move
Already Have Plans? Here’s Why Prefab Could Be Your Best Move Building Your Home Should Feel Exciting. Hopeful. Full of Possibility. But for many people,
Save Money, Live Comfortably: Talking Passive House on ABC’s “Breakfast with Sean Murphy
Save Money, Live Comfortably: Talking Passive House on ABC’s “Breakfast with Sean Murphy ABC Breakfast Radio – “Save Money, Live Comfortably” Earlier last week, Michael
The Unpriced Climate Risk: What It Means for Australian Homes — and How We Can Reduce It
The Unpriced Climate Risk: What It Means for Australian Homes — and How We Can Reduce It The Unpriced Climate Risk: What It Means for
Energy Hardship in Australia: Why Renters and Low-Income Households Are Being Left Behind
Energy Hardship in Australia: Why Renters and Low-Income Households Are Being Left Behind Energy Hardship in Australia: Why Renters and Low-Income Households Are Being Left
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Passive House?
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Passivhaus / Passive House? The cost to build a passive house in Australia varies significantly depending on
Victoria’s Fast-Track Planning Reforms: A Game Changer for Dual Occs?
Victoria’s Fast-Track Planning Reforms: A Game Changer for Dual Occs? Big Changes for Victoria: Fast-Tracking Dual Occs and Townhouse Developments Could this be a game
We’re Finalists in the 2025 BDAA National Design Awards
We’re Finalists in the 2025 BDAA National Design Awards We’re excited to share that our team has been named a finalist in the Unbuilt Category
Why Condensation, Ventilation and Thermal Bridging Still Aren’t Taken Seriously Enough in Australian Homes
Why Condensation, Ventilation & Thermal Bridging Still Aren’t Taken Seriously Enough Condensation, ventilation and thermal bridging are some of the most important — and most
Heat, Air Quality, Insurance Costs: How Climate Change is Affecting Our Homes – and Health
Heat, Air Quality, Insurance Costs: How Climate Change is Affecting Our Homes – and Health This year alone, we’ve seen climate extremes wreak havoc globally.
Why Passive House Calculations Should Start Early in the Design Process
Why Passive House Calculations Should Start Early in the Design Process Passive House calculations performed during the early design stage can dramatically improve the comfort,
What Are the Best Windows for a High-Performing Home or Passive House?
Passive Solar Design vs. Passivhaus: What’s the Difference? When designing a high-performing home — or aiming for Passive House certification — windows matter more than
Passive Solar Design vs. Passivhaus: What’s the Difference?
Passive Solar Design vs. Passivhaus: What’s the Difference? When people start exploring energy-efficient homes, two terms often come up again and again: passive solar design and Passivhaus (Passive
Designing for What You Truly Need: Smarter Home Planning
Designing for What You Truly Need: Smarter Home Planning When it comes to designing your home, the real question isn’t “how big should we build?”
Smarter Living with Secondary Residences in the ACT
Smarter Living with Secondary Residences in the ACT Housing affordability continues to be a challenge across Australia, and the ACT is no exception. As demand
Healthy Homes: Why Passive House is About So Much More Than Just Energy
Healthy Homes: Why Passive House is About So Much More Than Just Energy by Simone Schenkel, reimagined habitat Our very own Simone Schenkel is proud
Healthy Homes: Why Passive House is About So Much More Than Just Energy
Healthy Homes: Why Passive House is About So Much More Than Just Energy At reimagined habitat, we believe homes should do more than simply shelter
Building Better Homes: Michael Drage on the Home Style Green Podcast
Building Better Homes: Michael Drage on the Home Style Green Podcast At reimagined habitat, our goal has always been clear: make high-performance, low-energy homes easier
Where to Begin: A Step-by-Step Guide to Deep Retrofit for Existing Homes
Where to Begin: A Step-by-Step Guide to Deep Retrofit for Existing Homes In our recent blog post, What to Look for When Renovating a Home
When Homes Make You Sick: The Hidden Dangers of Mould — and How Passive House Can Help
When Homes Make You Sick: The Hidden Dangers of Mould — and How Passive House Can Help We’ve spoken before about how our principal designer,
Silence as Sanctuary — Why Acoustic Calm Matters
Silence as Sanctuary — Why Acoustic Calm Matters In a world filled with constant stimulation, true silence has become one of the most overlooked luxuries.
Behind the Scenes of Performance: How PHPP Powers Passive House (and Beyond)
Behind the Scenes of Performance: How PHPP Powers Passive House (and Beyond) As we recently explored on the blog, Passive House design depends not only
Why Passive House Isn’t Just Energy Efficient — It’s Cost-Optimal Too
Why Passive House Isn’t Just Energy Efficient — It’s Cost-Optimal Too Committing to a building project is exciting — but let’s be honest, it can
What Is Passivhaus — And Why Do We Love It So Much?
What Is Passivhaus — And Why Do We Love It So Much? We’ve been talking a lot lately about the incredible THRIVE Passivhaus Conference. It
Reflections from THRIVE: Powerful Lessons from This Year’s Passivhaus Conference
Reflections from THRIVE: Powerful Lessons from This Year’s Passivhaus Conference By Simone, Principal Designer at Reimagined Habitat I’m still on a high after this year’s
Extreme Heat and Our Environment: Why Better Homes Are Now a Public Health Imperative
Extreme Heat and Our Environment: Why Better Homes Are Now a Public Health Imperative As parts of eastern North America swelter through their first major
Healthy Home Design for a Changing Climate
Healthy Home Design for a Changing Climate Healthy home design is becoming increasingly important as Australians face rising temperatures, poor indoor air quality, increasing energy
Biophilia in the Home: Reconnecting with Nature Through Thoughtful Design
Biophilia in the Home: Reconnecting with Nature Through Thoughtful Design At reimagined habitat, we believe homes should do more than just shelter us—they should nurture
What to Look for When Renovating a Home to Passivhaus Standard: Insights from Simone
What to Look for When Renovating a Home to Passivhaus Standard: Insights from Simone By Simone, Principal Designer at Reimagined Habitat Last weekend, I spent
Mainstream Media Is Catching On: Energy Efficient Homes in the Spotlight
Mainstream Media Is Catching On: Energy Efficient Homes in the Spotlight We’ve known this for years — but it’s always exciting to see the mainstream
What the Victorian Healthy Homes Program Taught Us About Health and Energy Efficiency
What the Victorian Healthy Homes Program Taught Us About Health and Energy Efficiency At Reimagined Habitat, we talk a lot about the connection between healthy
Why We Choose Salamander: High-Performance uPVC Windows That Support a Greener Future
Why We Choose Salamander: High-Performance uPVC Windows That Support a Greener Future At Net Zero Plus, every decision we make is guided by our commitment
Is Your Site Ready for a Net Zero Habitat?
Is Your Site Ready for a Net Zero Habitat? Dreaming of a sustainable prefab home? It’s easy to get caught up in the exciting parts
Thinking About a Second Dwelling in Canberra? Here’s What the New Zoning Changes Mean for
Thinking About a Second Dwelling in Canberra? Here’s What the New Zoning Changes Mean for Thinking About a Second Dwelling in Canberra? Here’s What the
Can You Really Trust a 7-Star Energy Rating? Here’s What You Need to Know
Can You Really Trust a 7-Star Energy Rating? Here’s What You Need to Know How exciting to see our director and founder Michael Drage featured
Understanding the True Costs: High-Performing Homes vs. Standard Homes
Understanding the True Costs: High-Performing Homes vs. Standard Homes When comparing homes, it’s easy to focus on upfront costs. But much like choosing between a
Granny Flats & Beyond: Why Secondary Dwellings Are on the Rise in NSW
Granny Flats & Beyond: Why Secondary Dwellings Are on the Rise in NSW Housing affordability and availability are major challenges across NSW, with rising property
Small Homes, Big Benefits: Secondary Dwelling in ACT
Small Homes, Big Benefits: Secondary Dwelling in ACT Like many parts of Australia, the ACT is facing a housing crisis, with demand outpacing supply and
Secondary Dwellings in Victoria: What’s All the Fuss & Should You Build One?
Secondary Dwellings in Victoria: What’s All the Fuss & Should You Build One? Finding affordable housing in the right location is becoming increasingly difficult. With
Energy-Efficient & Healthy Homes: Taking the Guesswork Out of Future-Proofing Your Home
Energy-Efficient & Healthy Homes: Taking the Guesswork Out of Future-Proofing Your Home Simone had the pleasure of supporting Sonja from Evitat at two events for
The Ultimate Guide to Achieving a 10-Star Energy Efficiency Rating! (April Fools!)
The Ultimate Guide to Achieving a 10-Star Energy Efficiency Rating! (April Fools!) If you’re serious about designing a home that’s guaranteed to be ultra-efficient, comfortable,
Unpacking the Myths About Prefab Homes
Unpacking the Myths About Prefab Homes Unpacking the Myths About Prefab and Panelised Homes – reimagined habitat x Net Zero Plus x Net Zero Habitat
Passive House 101 – Part 6
passive house 101 – part 6 In our past anecdotes about Passive Houses, we have emphasised the importance of implementing the concept as a process and
Is Prefabrication the Answer to Our Building Issues?
Is Prefabrication the Answer to Our Building Issues? At this year’s Showroom Canberra Expo, our very own Michael took the stage to explore one of
Why the New Prefabricated Housing Finance Changes Are a Game-Changer
Why the New Prefabricated Housing Finance Changes Are a Game-Changer Why the New Prefabricated Housing Finance Changes Are a Game-Changer Exciting news is on the
Why Is There So Little Compliance When It Comes to Energy Efficiency?
Why Is There So Little Compliance When It Comes to Energy Efficiency? A while ago I had an interesting conversation with a PhD candidate. She’s
Got a Floor Plan? Here’s Why You Still Need a Designer
Got a Floor Plan? Here’s Why You Still Need a Designer Why Working with a Designer Can Save You Time, Money, and Stress We often
Renovate or Build New? How to Decide What’s Best for Your Home
Renovate or Build New? How to Decide What’s Best for Your Home Building or renovating a home is a huge decision—one that comes with plenty
Owner-Builder vs Builder: What’s the Right Path for You?
Owner-Builder vs Builder: What’s the Right Path for You? Thinking About Going Owner-Builder? Here’s What You Need to Know Building or renovating your home is
Why Getting a Builder on Board Early Can Save You Time, Money & Stress
Why Getting a Builder on Board Early Can Save You Time, Money & Stress The Key to a Smoother Build – Choosing Your Builder Early
How Big Does Your House Need to Be?
How Big Does Your House Need to Be? When designing your home, the real question isn’t “how big should it be?” but rather, “how much
Passive House and Bushfires: Prioritising Health, Safety, and Family Wellbeing
Passive House and Bushfires: Prioritising Health, Safety, and Family Wellbeing You may have come across the recent story from California about a ‘Passive House’ that
How to Put Together a Design Brief for Your Dream Home
How to Put Together a Design Brief for Your Dream Home Designing your dream home is one of the most exciting journeys you’ll ever embark
Start Smart: Why Early Integration is Key to Passivhaus Success
Start Smart: Why Early Integration is Key to Passivhaus Success No matter whether you’re pursuing full Passivhaus certification or simply aiming to design a home
Build Smart: How Home Size Affects Your Budget
Reimagining Space: Challenging Australia’s Love Affair with Big Houses Size Really Does Matter: Rethink Your Home Design When designing your home, the principle of “less
Reimagining Space: Challenging Australia’s Love Affair with Big Houses
Reimagining Space: Challenging Australia’s Love Affair with Big Houses Australia’s houses are big. Really big. In fact, they’re the largest in the world on a
Tips for Staying Cool in the Summer
Tips for Staying Cool in the Summer With summer in full swing, keeping your home cool and comfortable while managing energy bills can feel like
Passive House 101 – Part 7
Is Passive House a Healthier Home? Imagine a home that not only saves you money on energy bills but also creates a healthier, more comfortable
Passive House 101 – Part 5
passive house 101 – part 5 As we previously discussed on this blog, Passive House implementation is dependent on well thought out design with quality,
Passive House 101 – Part 4
passive house 101 – part 4 Committing to a building project is a daunting, if exciting prospect enough, without budget parameters becoming a sobering consideration.
Passive House 101 – Part 3
passive house 101 – part 3 A Passive House is characterised by five principles which can be summarised in the following: Thermal insulation Minimalising thermal
Passive House 101 – Part 2
passive house 101 – part 2 Explaining what Passive House means involves defining what it is and is not. To begin with, it’s not a
Passive House 101 – Part 1
passive house 101 – part 1 The Origins of Passive House and Why It Matters More Than Ever Welcome to reimagined habitat’s Passive House 101