Our approach
What is Passivhaus?
Passivhaus is the world’s leading standard for energy-efficient, comfortable, and healthy buildings. It’s built on five core principles:
- Airtight construction
- High-performance windows and doors
- Continuous insulation
- Thermal-bridge-free detailing
- Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)
These work together to keep indoor temperatures between 20°C and 25°C year-round, prevent mould and condensation, and drastically reduce energy use.
Certified Passivhaus homes are independently tested to ensure they perform exactly as designed—giving homeowners and architects confidence in comfort, quality and long-term value.
HONE's Passivhaus Rating System
Honing in on positive change
We have created a system to show the Passivhaus credentials of our projects at a quick glance. The closer the rings move to the centre, the greater the Passivhaus performance.
An airtight building envelope controls air movement, improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality. Passivhaus limits air leakage to ≤0.6 ACH @ 50 Pa, compared to the Australian average of 15.4 ACH—minimising pollutants, moisture, and heat loss.
Passivhaus requires double or triple-glazed, thermally broken windows and well-sealed doors. These reduce unwanted heat transfer, prevent condensation and optimise passive solar gains through thoughtful placement and shading.
Airtight homes need controlled ventilation. MVHR systems supply fresh, filtered air while recovering heat from outgoing air—ensuring comfort, health, and low energy use year-round.
Thermal bridges are weak points where heat escapes and condensation can form. Passivhaus design eliminates or significantly reduces these, protecting the structure and preventing mould and cold spots.
Insulation must be consistent and uninterrupted around the entire building envelope. In Melbourne, achieving Passivhaus typically requires higher insulation levels than the National Construction Code (NCC), ensuring stable indoor temperatures.
The original standard for high-performance new builds and retrofits (EnerPHit):
- ≤0.6 ACH50 (≤1.0 for EnerPHit)
- Heating demand: ≤15 kWh/m²·a (≤20 EnerPHit)
- Cooling demand: ≈ heating demand
- Primary energy: ≤60 kWh/m²·a
- No renewable generation required.
Adds renewable energy generation to Classic-level efficiency:
- Same airtightness and heating/cooling thresholds
- Lower primary energy: ≤45 kWh/m²·a
- Renewable generation: ≥60 kWh/m²·a.
The most advanced certification, achieving net-positive energy:
- Same airtightness and heating/cooling thresholds
- Primary energy: ≤30 kWh/m²·a
- Renewable generation: ≥120 kWh/m²·a
Beyond Passivhaus
While Passivhaus sets the benchmark for performance, truly sustainable homes go further. At HONE, we consider 11 elements that shape how a home contributes to people, place and planet.
We collaborate with talented architects to create timeless, well-crafted homes that enrich their surroundings and age gracefully.
We consider the impact of our material choices, site practices and landscaping on ecosystems—aiming to support, not degrade, local biodiversity.
By embracing biophilic design—natural light, greenery and connection to the outdoors—we promote mental wellbeing and emotional comfort.
We assess the emissions tied to the extraction, manufacture and transport of materials, aiming to reduce carbon before a home is even lived in.
We encourage clients to maximise solar PV systems for clean energy generation, reducing reliance on the grid and future-proofing against rising costs.
From indoor air quality to daylight access and thermal comfort, our homes are built to support both physical and psychological wellbeing.
We support passive solar strategies—like orientation, glazing, and shading—that allow homes to harness natural warmth in winter and stay cool in summer.
We build for durability. Airtight construction, moisture control and high-quality detailing protect homes for generations to come.
Homes should enhance community. Through thoughtful design, we support passive surveillance, social interaction and green public realms.
We provide every client with a tailored user manual—helping them operate their home for optimal comfort, efficiency, and long-term performance.
With water scarcity a national challenge, we prioritise efficient fixtures, stormwater capture and permeable surfaces to protect our local waterways.
