Passive Design, Beautifully Executed

Our client placed their trust in us to deliver a contemporary home that would be warm, energy-efficient, and architecturally refined — and this project is a true testament to that collaboration. 

Designed around passive solar principles, the home captures and stores the sun’s energy through a carefully considered combination of insulation, thermal mass, and construction detail. Internal block walls act as thermal batteries, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly overnight. The polished concrete floor — thick and water-heated — provides additional thermal mass, ensuring the home stays cosy with minimal supplementary heating.

To optimise comfort and efficiency, we incorporated:

• Super insulation with thermal break details to eliminate heat loss
• A fully isolated slab to reduce thermal bridging
• Decorative timber insets set into a symmetrical geogrid pattern, balancing form and function while helping control expansion and contraction

One of the standout design conversations centred on the concrete floor finish. Working closely with the client, we decided on a sealed matte finish that enhances the natural look of the exposed aggregate — avoiding the overly glossy effect of many polished sealers, and letting the true material character shine through. 

This home isn’t just efficient — it’s beautifully executed, deeply considered, and a joy to live in.