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 Right now, there’s a lot of uncertainty out there. We’re hearing it every day in conversations with homeowners. People are nervous. People are unsure what to do. And the big question keeps coming up: 👉 “Is now the right time to build?” A Market Full […]
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 By reimagined habitat, based on Simone’s personal experience The other day it was 17°C outside. Inside Simone’s home? 28°C. Sitting in her living room, it felt less like autumn… and more like a sauna. And this wasn’t a […]
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 from reimagined habitat joined a podcast session hosted by Jill Absolom titled: Podcast Session: “Ask the Expert: Smart Home Design for Builders and Renovators.” The conversation explored what actually makes […]
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 familiar in-between season. Warm, even hot days in some areas.Cool — sometimes surprisingly cold — nights. And for many homes, that means the same frustrating cycle: Air-conditioning running during the […]
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 prices, construction costs or planning approvals. All important topics. But there is another factor that quietly shapes how affordable a home truly is — not just on the day it’s […]
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 been a long time in the making. Over the past few years, we’ve been working closely with the owner and developer of Three Rivers Estate — a premium land release […]
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, here’s the honest truth: Simply applying the five Passive House building principles does not guarantee good performance. You can add more insulation. You can specify triple glazing. You can tape […]
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 in recent years — first in 2019, and again in 2023. Both trips were deeply memorable. Of course, it was wonderful to visit family and friends and to immerse myself […]
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 after living in a Passive House, you’ll already know how confronting that experience has been — particularly during summer. Despite being a relatively new home, my current rental struggles badly […]