Address
Maroubra NSW 2035
Passive House Renovation
Phillip Bay Passive House
Located in Phillip Bay, this Passive House renovation is a showcase of Blaise Building Services' high-performance philosophy, designed by architect Joe Snell of Snell Architects. From the dramatic dark-clad exterior to the light-filled, precision-crafted interiors, every element of this home was built for long-term comfort, health, and energy efficiency.
The completed home features full-height double-glazed windows opening to a private pool and landscaped garden, a minimalist kitchen with marble island and timber slat feature walls, and spa-quality bathrooms with natural stone finishes. All within a thermally superior, airtight building envelope delivering luxury finishes alongside verified Passive House performance.
Our Process: From Knockdown to Completion
01
Design Collaboration with Snell Architects
BBS engaged early with architect Joe Snell (Snell Architects) during the design phase to ensure Passive House principles were embedded from the outset, reviewing glazing ratios, structural details, and envelope design to balance performance with the architectural vision.
02
Airtight Envelope Construction
The entire building envelope was constructed to Passive House tolerances. Pro Clima membranes were installed across the full structure, with every junction, penetration, and service entry carefully taped and sealed before external cladding proceeded.
03
Full-Height Glazing with Thermal-Break Framing
Large full-height glazing units were installed with precision thermal-break framing, eliminating cold bridging and condensation risk at the most thermally vulnerable parts of the envelope while maximising natural light and indoor-outdoor connection.
04
Luxury Interior Finishes and Joinery
Custom joinery, marble stone benchtops, timber slat feature walls, and bespoke cabinetry were all installed to the highest luxury standard, proving that Passive House construction and prestige architectural design are fully compatible.
05
Blower Door Test: 0.5 ACH Result
Upon completion, the home was tested with a Blower Door test. The result of 0.5 ACH comfortably beat the Passive House standard of 0.6 ACH, providing certified physical proof of the envelope's exceptional airtightness.
Project Challenges
Building a Passive House renovation to this level of finish at Phillip Bay required absolute precision across every trade. The full-height glazing system demanded careful thermal bridging management to maintain airtightness without compromising the architectural intent. Large openings and a structurally ambitious roof line created complex detailing challenges at every junction.
Coordinating premium bespoke joinery, natural stone finishes, and pool construction alongside the tight tolerances of Passive House construction required careful sequencing. Every penetration through the airtight envelope (for services, fixings, and glazing) had to be sealed and tested to standard before proceeding to the next phase.
Results: A Year-Round Comfortable Home
0.5 ACH Blower Door Verified: exceeds Passive House standard (0.6 ACH required)
Thermally stable interiors year-round with dramatically reduced energy loads
Luxury finishes: marble benchtops, timber feature walls, bespoke joinery throughout
Full-height glazing with thermal-break frames: no cold spots or condensation
Private pool terrace and indoor-outdoor living fully integrated into the design
Designed by Joe Snell, Snell Architects
Project Outcome
The finished home achieved 0.5 ACH, an exceptional Blower Door result that places this renovation in the top tier of airtight residential construction in Australia. To put that in context: the international Passive House standard requires 0.6 ACH or lower, and this home beat it comfortably. Interiors stay thermally stable year-round, the pool terrace and premium bathrooms reflect the craftsmanship Blaise Building Services brings to every high-performance renovation, and the home stands as a benchmark for luxury passive renovation in Sydney.
