Address
Malabar NSW 2036
Certified Passive House
Coogee Passive House
Perched high above Gordon's Bay, this bespoke Passive House in Coogee was designed to maximise breathtaking ocean views while overcoming the challenges of Sydney's sometimes extreme weather and temperatures. The client wanted a comfortable, energy-efficient home where the top floor — housing the living and kitchen areas — could be enjoyed all year round.
Unlike many Coogee homes where the top floors become unbearably hot in summer and freezing in winter, this project was built to maintain consistent indoor temperatures, reduce energy consumption, and enhance thermal performance.
Our Process: From Knockdown to Completion
01
Tailored Passive House Design & Construction
BBS took over the design process after the original architect was not retained, ensuring every decision prioritised high-performance insulation, airtightness, and energy efficiency while staying true to the client's vision.
02
Overcoming Structural Challenges
This home required a complex steel structure, posing significant thermal bridging risks. We meticulously insulated every steel beam and incorporated thermo washers and thermal breakers to prevent heat loss and condensation.
03
Carbon-Negative Timber Materials
The entire build used timber-based products, making the house carbon negative and significantly reducing its environmental footprint. Wood-based insulation enhanced thermal efficiency while ensuring sustainability.
04
High-Performance Passive House Products
We integrated Pro Clima advanced airtightness membranes and tapes, BINQ HRV high-performance windows and doors, and Steico natural high-performance insulation materials to achieve exceptional airtightness.
Project Challenges
After the original architect was not retained for the construction phase, BBS took over the design process — ensuring every decision prioritised high-performance insulation, airtightness, and energy efficiency while staying true to the client's vision. The home required a complex steel structure, which posed significant thermal bridging risks. Every steel beam was meticulously insulated and incorporated thermo washers and thermal breakers to prevent heat loss and condensation. The entire build used timber-based products, making the house carbon negative.
Results: A Year-Round Comfortable Home
0.91 ACH50 — certified airtightness result at handover
No more extreme seasonal discomfort — stable temperatures year-round
Significant energy savings — artificial heating and cooling dramatically reduced
Breathtaking views of Gordon's Bay fully integrated into the living experience
Carbon-negative build — timber-based products throughout
Project Outcome
The completed home achieved 0.91 ACH (Air Changes Per Hour) — a great result, particularly for a retrofit where parts of the original house were retained. The top-floor design was reimagined with sliding doors, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces and offering incredible views of Gordon's Bay. No more extreme seasonal discomfort — the home maintains a stable, comfortable indoor temperature in both summer and winter, with dramatically reduced energy costs.
“We wanted to maximise our view while making our top floor liveable all year round. The BBS team not only delivered an energy-efficient passive house, but they also transformed the design to create a home that is both functional and breathtaking.”
Owner
Coogee Passive House
