ON THAMES

Designed for a pair of engineers with a deep appreciation for systems, performance and function, this compact home in South Frankston was conceived as a healthy retreat for their young family. Living with allergies, the clients were deeply engaged in the design process, approaching each decision with a pragmatic mindset and a clear focus on what would genuinely improve comfort and day-to-day living.

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Working within a tight budget, the brief prioritised performance, indoor air quality and durability. The result is a carefully considered house where every element has purpose from the highly insulated, airtight envelope to the balanced ventilation system delivering filtered fresh air year-round.

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The south-facing site presented a key challenge. An Eastern courtyard was introduced to bring daylight into the home and create a sheltered outdoor space. The additional form factor this creates is balanced by a compact, rectilinear footprint that supports construction efficiency and strong thermal performance.

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Formally certified to the Passive House standard and achieving a 9-star NatHERS rating, the project demonstrates how careful, performance-led design can deliver a comfortable and healthy home on a constrained site.

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PROJECT PERFORMANCE

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• Passive House Certified
• NatHERS Rating: 9 Stars
• Heating Demand: 13.8 kWh/(m²a)
• Cooling Demand: 3.5 kWh/(m²a)
• Airtightness: 0.4 ACH @ 50 Pa

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BUILDER:  Sanctum Homes

ENGINEER:  Oranik Consulting engineers

PH CONSULTANT: PHPP Design

PH CERTIFIER: Detail Green