Passivhaus Builder Sydney
Introduction to Passivhaus
As energy costs rise and sustainability becomes a priority, passive house design is setting the standard for energy-efficient homes. Developed in Germany in the 1990s, this approach maximises thermal efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and enhances indoor comfort—all while maintaining a sleek, modern aesthetic.
At Sure Space, we specialise in custom passive house construction, integrating advanced design strategies to deliver efficiency, comfort, and long-term cost savings. Whether you're building a new home or upgrading an existing one, our tailored Passivhaus solutions are built for the future.
What is a Passive House?
A Passive House (or Passivhaus) is a high-performance building standard designed to maintain consistent indoor comfort and efficiency. Unlike conventional homes, which often rely heavily on air conditioning and heating systems, Passive House buildings achieve exceptional thermal efficiency through advanced design principles that naturally regulate indoor temperatures.
How Does a Passive House Differ from Traditional Homes?
Traditional homes in Australia are often poorly insulated, with air leaks and thermal bridges that allow heat to escape in winter and overheat in summer. This results in high energy bills, temperature fluctuations, and over-reliance on expensive heating and cooling.
In contrast, a Passive House is airtight, super-insulated, and designed to maximise natural heating and cooling, ensuring a stable indoor climate year-round. It uses features including:
High-performance insulation to retain warmth in winter and block heat in summer.
Meticulous construction to prevent heat loss and unwanted drafts.
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) to provide fresh, filtered air without energy waste.
Thermal bridge-free design to eliminate weak points where heat escapes.
The Benefits of Passive House Living
Lower Energy Bills – Passive Houses consume up to 90% less energy than conventional homes, significantly reducing electricity and heating costs.
Year-Round Comfort – No more cold drafts in winter or overheating in summer. Passive Houses help maintain consistent indoor temperatures.
Improved Indoor Air Quality – Built-in ventilation systems filter pollutants, allergens, and humidity, creating a healthier living environment.
Durability & Longevity – High-quality materials and advanced construction techniques ensure superior building performance for decades.
Reduced Carbon Footprint – By using less energy and integrating renewable energy options, Passive Houses contribute to sustainable living.
Passivhaus Principles
A passive house is built on scientifically proven design principles that create an ultra-energy-efficient, comfortable, and healthy living environment. At Sure Space, we integrate these five principles into every Passivhaus project, ensuring high-performance homes designed for Sydney’s climate.
Weather Sealing
Inadequate weather sealing leads to heat loss and unwanted temperature fluctuations. A passive house is airtight, preventing heat loss, draughts, and reducing reliance on appliances. By better sealing the home, we enhance temperature stability and improve energy efficiency.
Quality Insulation
Unlike standard homes prone to temperature fluctuations, passive house design includes continuous, high-quality insulation in walls, floors, and roofs. This ensures warmth is retained in winter and excess heat is blocked in summer, reducing energy demand.
Highest Quality Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are crucial for thermal efficiency. Passive houses use double or triple-glazed windows with special frames that are designed to prevent heat transfer. Thoughtful positioning and shading optimise solar gain in winter while minimising overheating in summer.
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)
A passive house includes an MVHR system that continuously circulates fresh, filtered air while recovering and reusing heat energy. This improves air quality, reduces pollutants and allergens, and lowers heating and cooling costs.
Thermal Bridge-Free Construction
Thermal bridges (weak spots in a building where heat escapes) are minimised or eliminated in a passive house. This improves energy efficiency, reduces condensation risk, and enhances long-term durability. Sure Space employs advanced construction techniques to maintain thermal integrity in every build.
Why Choose Sure Space for Passive House Construction?
Building a passive house requires specialised knowledge, precision, and a deep understanding of energy-efficient construction. Sure Space is a trusted expert in constructing high-performance passive homes tailored to Sydney’s climate and lifestyle. We partner with Passivhaus architects to design your bespoke home.
Expertise in Passive House Construction
Sure Space combines industry excellence with cutting-edge energy efficiency to meet the rigorous performance standards of passive house design.
Customised Solutions for Your Lifestyle
Rather than offering standardised designs, we create bespoke passive homes tailored to your vision and sustainability goals.
Seamless Project Management & Transparency
Building a new home is a major investment, and we prioritise a smooth, transparent process from start to finish. From consultation and design to approvals, construction, and certification, we provide clear communication, detailed planning, and meticulous project management to ensure a seamless experience.
Sustainable, Future-Proof Homes
A passive house is an investment in long-term sustainability. Sure Space is committed to building homes that minimise environmental impact, enhance indoor air quality, and significantly reduce energy consumption.
Our Passive House Services
Sure Space provides end-to-end Passive House solutions, from expert design and consultation to high-performance construction. Whether you’re building a new home or incorporating passive design principles into an existing project, our team ensures superior energy efficiency, comfort, and long-term sustainability.
Passive House Design
A successful Passive House starts with precision design. Our team collaborates with certified Passive House architects to create homes that are:
Optimised for energy efficiency without compromising on aesthetics.
Tailored to your preferences, whether modern, contemporary, or traditional.
Designed to maximise natural light, airflow, and thermal performance.
Fully compliant with Passive House certification while considering Sydney’s climate and lifestyle.
Passive House Construction
Sure Space specialises in high-performance Passive House construction, using advanced materials and innovative techniques to achieve Passivhaus standards. Our approach includes:
Airtight construction to minimise energy loss.
High-performance insulation for consistent indoor temperatures.
Precision-installed, double or triple-glazed windows to reduce heat transfer.
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) for superior indoor air quality.
Detailed craftsmanship to ensure seamless execution and long-term efficiency.
Our team works closely with clients, designers, and engineers to bring Passive House principles to life, ensuring a home that is comfortable, efficient, and future-proof.
Consultation & Expert Advice
If you’re in the early planning stages or exploring passive design options, we offer professional consultation services, including:
Education on Passive House benefits, energy efficiency, and cost savings.
Guidance on certification requirements and compliance with Australian standards.
Support with planning approvals and building regulations.
Recommendations on materials and technologies to enhance thermal performance.
Whether you need full-service Passive House construction or expert guidance on passive design strategies, Sure Space is your trusted partner in creating a sustainable, energy-efficient home.
Sydney-Focused Passive House Specialists
Sure Space has extensive experience in adapting passive house principles to Sydney’s Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, and surrounding areas, ensuring homes that perform efficiently in Australia’s diverse conditions.
Start Your Passive House Journey with Sure Space
Building a Passive House is a long-term investment in comfort, sustainability, and energy efficiency. Whether you’re looking for a custom-designed Passive House or want to integrate passive design strategies into your home, Sure Space is here to guide you every step of the way.
As Sydney’s Passive House specialists, we bring a combination of expertise, innovation, and precision to every project, ensuring your home is built to the highest energy efficiency standards.
Ready to build your dream energy-efficient home? Contact Sure Space today to discuss your Passive House project with our team of experts. Let’s work together to create a home that is beautiful, comfortable, and built for the future. Get in touch with Sure Space today on (02) 7910 4883 or request a free project assessment online.
“Every build is different, but one thing is in common —
you’re building a very personal space. My team and I adapt to your needs to make sure your space is the best it can possibly be.”
— Darren Long, Master Builder
FAQs About Passive Houses
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A Passive House is designed to be highly energy-efficient, requiring significantly less heating and cooling than a conventional home. While standard homes rely on artificial heating and cooling systems, Passive Houses use airtight construction, superior insulation, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature year-round. This means lower energy bills, improved indoor air quality, and a reduced carbon footprint.
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Yes, existing homes can be retrofitted to meet Passive House principles. However, it is often more challenging than building a new Passive House due to existing structural limitations. The Passive House Institute offers EnerPHit certification, which is specifically designed for retrofits. Upgrading insulation, improving airtightness, and installing high-performance windows and ventilation systems can significantly improve an older home’s energy efficiency and comfort.
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No, a Passive House is not a sealed box. You can open windows whenever you like, just as you would in a standard home. However, thanks to mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), Passive Houses don’t rely on open windows for fresh air. The ventilation system ensures a constant supply of filtered, fresh air, reducing pollutants and allergens while maintaining indoor comfort.
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Yes! Passive Houses are designed to be adaptable to different climates, including Sydney’s warm summers and cooler winters. The key principles—airtightness, insulation, and shading—are carefully implemented to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter without excessive reliance on heating or air conditioning.
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While Passive House construction may require a higher upfront investment, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. A well-designed Passive House can reduce energy costs by up to 90%, providing substantial savings over time. Additionally, Passive Houses offer higher durability, lower maintenance costs, and increased property value, making them a wise long-term investment.
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A Passive House does not require one specific set of materials, but it does rely on high-performance building components such as:
Superior insulation to regulate indoor temperatures.
Airtight membranes to prevent energy loss.
High-performance windows and doors with double or triple glazing.
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) for consistent indoor air quality.
Don’t just take our word for it
Thank you for your hard work this year building our dream home in Glebe.
We are delighted with the outcome and found you and your trades to be professional and easy to talk to. The challenging site and audacious design was no match for your team. I have no hesitation in recommending Sure Space to anyone looking to renovate or build.
— Rob and Jess Squilaciotti
