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 […]

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 are becoming increasingly connected as our climate changes and more homes struggle to remain safe, comfortable and liveable during extreme weather. In a recent blog post, we shared research and […]

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 a regular feature of life in Australia — and one our homes are increasingly struggling to cope with. Across the country, heatwaves are lasting longer, nights are staying hotter, and […]

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, and the shift is well underway. What we’re seeing right now is a move away from surface-level “green” gestures and towards decisions that genuinely improve how homes perform, feel, and […]

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 increasingly important as Australia faces longer heatwaves, rising temperatures, and growing energy costs. Many homes across the country struggle with overheating, poor insulation, inadequate shading, and uncomfortable indoor temperatures, leaving […]