Your Questions, Answered

Clear answers about our design process, building science, and navigating the Tasmanian construction climate.

1. Working with an Architect

  • Many architectural projects fail because design aspirations clash with market realities too late in the process. We start every project with a comprehensive Investment Review. Before drawing a single line, we analyse your site, your brief, and current construction costs to ensure your project is financially viable and grounded in certainty from day one.

  • Architectural fees vary based on the project's scale, complexity, and the level of service required. For a full-service architectural package—taking you from the initial Investment Review through detailed design, Passivhaus modeling, council approvals, and on-site construction support—fees generally range between 7% to 15% of the total construction cost.

    Because we prioritise financial certainty, our fee structure is broken down into clear milestones aligned with each design stage. Investing in comprehensive architectural documentation and building science modelling upfront prevents costly variations and build delays on-site later.

  • A well-considered, high-performance home cannot be rushed. On average, the journey from your initial Investment Review to having a builder ready to break ground takes between 9 to 12 months.

    This timeline is split into two main phases:

    • The Design & Documentation Phase (7-9 months): This is the collaborative period where we refine the spatial layout, select materials, run the technical Passivhaus/PHPP modelling, and produce the highly detailed 'instruction manual' for the builder.

    • The Approval Phase (2–4 months): This depends entirely on your local council for Planning and Building approvals. We manage this entire administrative process on your behalf to keep things moving as smoothly as possible.

  • We are the "builders' architect." We believe the best high-performance homes are the result of early collaboration. We involve preferred partner builders during the design stages to provide real-time cost feedback, ensuring our highly detailed technical drawings align perfectly with their on-site execution. We often tailor our deliverables to suit the builder and their team.

  • Our process moves through four distinct phases:

    1. Feasibility & Investment Review (Aligning budget and site reality)

    2. Concept & Schematic Design (Exploring spatial flow and form)

    3. Detailed Design & Passivhaus Modelling (Refining the building science and specifications)

    4. Construction Documentation & Site Support (Delivering the 'instruction manual' to your builder)

2. Passivhaus & Building Science

  • Passivhaus is the world's leading comfort and energy-efficiency standard. It relies on a data-driven design approach utilising five core principles: high-quality thermal insulation, high-performance windows, suitable ventilation—often mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), airtightness, and thermal bridge-free construction. The result is a home that requires up to 90% less heating energy than a standard code-built home. Whilst we love it for the low energy outcome, we believe the health benefits are the most important aspect of a Passivhaus.

  • This is a common myth. You can open your doors and windows whenever you like. However, during Tasmania's brutal winter or high pollen days, you won't need to. The continuous mechanical ventilation system silently replaces stale indoor air with fresh, filtered outdoor air, maintaining a pristine indoor environment automatically.

  • While there is an upfront investment in superior windows, insulation, and ventilation systems (typically 5% to 10% over a standard architectural build), this is offset rapidly. A Passivhaus virtually eliminates power bills, slashes mechanical heating infrastructure costs, and protects the structural fabric of the building from mould and dampness, saving massive maintenance costs over its lifespan.

  • No. While Passivhaus represents our gold standard for comfort and energy efficiency, we apply the exact same rigorous building science principles to all of our work. Whether you are looking for a certified Passivhaus, a high-performance new home, a sustainable renovation, or a highly energy-efficient retrofit, our focus remains unchanged.

    We treat Passivhaus as a framework rather than an all-or-nothing requirement. If formal certification isn't your goal or doesn't fit your budget, we still utilise thermal modelling, smart membranes, and passive solar design to ensure your project is a healthy, resilient, and low-energy sanctuary.

3. Building in Tasmania

  • Tasmania features a heating-dominated climate with high relative humidity. Standard building code practices often trap moisture inside wall cavities, leading to structural rot and mould. We utilise advanced hygrothermal modelling (using smart vapour-variable membranes like Pro Clima Intello) to design breathable envelopes that keep warmth inside while safely migrating moisture out.

  • Much of Tasmania’s prime land is subject to bushfire overlays. Designing for high BAL ratings (like BAL-29 or BAL-FZ) requires specialised, non-combustible material selections such as Shou Sugi Ban (charred timber), rammed earth, and specific window glazing. We integrate bushfire compliance into the architecture seamlessly so your home remains resilient without looking like a bunker.

  • Yes. Whether on a rugged East Coast cliff in Bicheno or a steep valley slope, site-responsive design is our core pillar. High-performance homes are uniquely suited for off-grid living because their heating and cooling loads are so incredibly low, significantly reducing the size and cost of the solar and battery storage systems required.