2 min read

Visualising the Impact of Climate Change on Landscapes

By Jamie Bonnefin on Apr 20, 2023 11:47:03 AM

Viewshed diagrams are a powerful tool for visualising the potential impact of climate change on landscapes and informing adaptation strategies. These diagrams depict the areas visible from a particular vantage point and provide valuable information about the surrounding landscape, including land use, topography, and vegetation cover. They are widely used in landscape planning, environmental impact assessments, and natural resource management.

Topics: ESD Sustainability Energy Climate Green Star Rating viewshed
2 min read

Emerging Technologies of Visual Impact Assessments

By Jamie Bonnefin on Apr 20, 2023 11:46:28 AM

Visual Impact Assessments (VIA) are an essential process used to evaluate the potential environmental impact of proposed projects on the surrounding community. These assessments help identify potential negative effects on the environment, wildlife, and people. 

Topics: ESD Emerging Materials Sustainability Energy Climate visual impact assessment
4 min read

The Impact of Wind Turbines on ViewShed Diagrams

By Jamie Bonnefin on Apr 20, 2023 11:43:45 AM

The sustainable energy alternative, Wind Turbines, are often used in areas of wide open space to generate large amounts of electricity. 

Topics: ESD Architecture Sustainability viewshed visual impact assessment wind turbines
2 min read

Should All Commercial Projects Have A WUFI Model Created?

By Jamie Bonnefin on Mar 7, 2023 2:26:36 PM

What is a WUFI Model?

Topics: Architecture Star Rating Sustainability Energy Insulation Materials Residential Commercial
4 min read

Passive Commercial Projects - A trend for a greener future

By Jamie Bonnefin on Feb 28, 2023 9:35:06 AM

What is a Passive House?

Topics: ESD Architecture Sustainability Passive House Commercial
3 min read

Section J vs. JV3 - When to use Which Compliance Method

By Jamie Bonnefin on Feb 28, 2023 9:32:04 AM

What’s the difference between a Section J and JV3?

Topics: ESD Section J Architecture Sustainability JV3 Commercial
2 min read

How to Manage Rising Building Costs for new builds and renovations

By Jamie Bonnefin on Feb 21, 2023 3:39:43 PM

Why Are Building Costs Rising?

Topics: ESD Glazing Architecture Sustainability Changes Energy Efficiency Insulation Green Star Rating Residential Alterations & Additions
6 min read

Passive House Retrofit

By Jamie Bonnefin on Feb 6, 2023 12:47:37 PM

What is a Passive House Retrofit?

Passive House retrofit is the process of upgrading an existing building to meet the Passive House standard. This typically involves improving the building's insulation, airtightness, and windows, and ensuring that the building has a good thermal envelope. A retrofitted Passive House should consume much less energy for heating and cooling and provide a comfortable indoor environment with good air quality.

Retrofitting an existing building to Passive House standards can be challenging and may require significant work and investment. However, the benefits of a retrofitted Passive House can be substantial, including significant energy savings, reduced carbon emissions, and improved indoor comfort.

Retrofitting a building to Passive House standards usually begins with an energy assessment to identify the building's current energy consumption and areas for improvement. Then, an energy-efficient design is developed, taking into account the specific conditions of the building, such as 

its orientation, size, and existing materials. The retrofit work is then carried out, including adding insulation, sealing air leaks, and upgrading the building's windows. Finally, the retrofitted building is tested to ensure that it meets the Passive House standard.

And in return, when a retrofit achieves Passive House standards, the home is certified as EnerPHit for certified retrofits.

Topics: ESD Architecture Sustainability Passive House Residential passive house australia Retrofit
4 min read

Passive House: Comfortable Homes are the Future!

By Jamie Bonnefin on Jan 31, 2023 3:50:21 PM

The Passive House standard of construction provides a comfortable habitable space by means of reducing thermal bridges, high performance glazing and smart design for solar gain producing a sustainable airtight solution. Passive House buildings are already being built in a variety of climates and building types, including single-family homes, multi-family buildings, schools and commercial buildings, showing that the standard can be adapted to different projects and contexts.

This ability to significantly adapt to the changes in climate enables superiorly comfortable temperatures throughout the construction. The building’s inhabitants will receive the benefits of a temperate environment, reducing the use of expensive climate controls like air conditioning. The Passive House solution also supports the comfort of the user, not only through an evenly temperate environment, but through airtight construction the mitigation of sound transmission, dust, bugs and moisture.

Passive House prioritises energy efficiency and comfort, offering a future proof solution to the increasing needs of all stakeholders. Sustainable construction is already seen as the answer to the climate crisis which is where the Passive House standard offers solutions that are beneficial to both the environment and inhabitants.

Topics: ESD Architecture Thermal Comfort Sustainability Passive House Benefits of Passive House
6 min read

Introduction to Passive House

By Jamie Bonnefin on Jan 31, 2023 2:25:20 PM

The Passive House concept was first developed by German physicist Dr. Wolfgang Feist during the early 1990s in Darmstadt, Germany. The goal was to create buildings that use very little energy for heating and cooling, while still providing a high level of comfort for the occupants.

The exact definition of Passive House, as provided by the Passivhaus Institut is as follows:

A Passive House is a building, for which thermal comfort (ISO 7730) can be achieved solely by post-heating or post-cooling of the fresh air mass, which is required to achieve sufficient indoor air quality conditions – without the need for additional recirculation of air

Dr. Wolfgang Feist (via Passive House Institut)

Topics: ESD Architecture Sustainability Passive House