Renovation Collaborative

• Architect Stephanie Skyring: What’s new at Renovation Collaborative in 2025

  Renovation Collaborative has evolved since I launched at the beginning of 2024. If you've listened to my original introduction podcast from back then, you might have noticed that a few things have changed. In this podcast, I explain what's been going on behind the scenes and what's now on offer for the community and architects in 2025. Today I'll be interviewed by my most dedicated listener, my mother, Beverley. MORE INFORMATIONFind everything you need on the Renovation Collaborative website. www.renovationcollaborative.com.auPODCAST Key points summary, timestamps and resource linksFREE RESOURCES Transcripts edited into clear Q&A and other useful resources.CPD Australian architects can find more information on CPD, and COURSES Eleven easy to read courses demystifying the entire home design and construction process. INTERVIEW QUESTIONS00:00 Introduction00:38 How have your objectives changed since you started Renovation Collaborative in 2024?01:54 What’s on offer at Renovation Collaborative in 2025?04:35 Are the Online Courses still useful for the community?05:30 When did you realise the podcasts would be helpful for architects?06:26 How are your podcasts different to other design podcasts?09:08 Tell us about the CPD for architects.10:08 What podcast topics are you planning for 2025? GET IN TOUCHIf you've got any comments or questions or there's any topic you'd like to know more about, please send me an email at [email protected].

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• How to get started with Passive House

  Here we are at the end of Season 2 and if you'd like to know more about Passive House, today you'll learn some ideas that will get you started: If you just want to dip your toe in, and experience the air quality, temperature and quietness, you'll find out about Passive House holiday accommodation you can visit in Australia and New Zealand, orIf you want to get down to business, you'll find out about the indepth information, courses and support available. I'm joined by two guests who will show you the way forward. The Australian Passive House Association CEO, Alexia Lidas, and the Managing editor of Sanctuary magazine at Renew, Anna Cumming. Australian Architects can claim formal CPD hours for these podcasts. MORE INFORMATIONFind everything you need on the Renovation Collaborative website. www.renovationcollaborative.com.auPODCAST Key points summary, timestamps and resource linksFREE RESOURCES Transcript edited into clear Q&A.CPD Australian architects can find more information on CPD, and COURSES Eleven easy to read courses demystifying the entire home design and construction process. KEY POINTS SUMMARY I'll start with the information about the Australian Passive House Association. The association have been advocating for the adoption of the Passive House standard in Australia since 2013. One of the primary barriers to Passive House worldwide is the lack of education. So the association provide everything you need to know in a range of learning formats. Following is a quick snapshot of what they offer and you can find further info on their website. They offer free information including: A searchable project database, consultant database and general info blog on their website. Free information sessions in your office to introduce the Passive House basics and benefits. Free one-on-one support for large organisations and government through their Passive House Incubator and this service is designed to help integrate Passive House into building procurement policies, and Free open days to visit Passive House buildings all around Australia. Their paid information options include:Association membership, providing access to online forums where you can ask for support and advice, plus local chapter meetings in each state to discuss local issues. Online courses including the Certified Passive House Designer course and the Certified Passive House Tradesperson course.Plus they offer a hands on construction training course in all states and that's open to anybody, and Their annual conference.The next key points relate to Sanctuary Magazine at Renew: Renew has been advocating, researching and providing independent practical advice to Australians wanting to live more

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• Passive House Design: Subtropical

  How do you design a Passive House in a Subtropical climate like Brisbane?Today’s episode is the fourth and final episode focussing on the design specifics for each of the four climate zones around Australia, where most of our population lives. I talk to very experienced passive house designer Tiago Guerreiro, a director at the award-winning design and construction company H4 Living based in Brisbane. In this episode, Tiago explains the Passive House design specifics for Subtropical, plus he shares heaps of other information and insights about designing and building from his years of experience to help you better understand Passive House. Australian Architects can claim formal CPD hours for these podcasts. MORE INFORMATIONFind everything you need on the Renovation Collaborative website. www.renovationcollaborative.com.auPODCAST Key points summary, timestamps and resource linksFREE RESOURCES Transcript edited into clear Q&A.CPD Australian architects can find more information on CPD, and COURSES Eleven easy to read courses demystifying the entire home design and construction process. KEY POINTS SUMMARY1. The 5 Passive House design components for a subtropical climate are as follows:Windows are typically double-glazed and always operable. Windows should enable cross ventilation, purging of any excess heat build-up, and connection to the outdoors to enjoy comfortable external temperatures over spring and autumn and much of winter. The fresh air circulation system for subtropical is an ERV (energy recovery ventilation system) which is different to the HRV systems used in the cooler southern states. Wall insulation can fit within a typical 90mm timber stud framed wall thickness. No under-slab insulation is required because connecting to comfortable earth temperatures (usually around 22-23 degrees Centigrade) is beneficial for cooling. Only one layer of external wrapping is required; the vapour-permeable weatherproof membrane on the outside of the home is taped, sealed and made airtight. An additional internal membrane may be used to obtain certainty of airtightness, but it can be avoided in most cases to reduce costs. Removing thermal bridges is always essential to avoid heat gain.2. Effective shading to avoid all heat gain is critical - no sun can enter the house. Passive houses retain heat very effectively because they are well-insulated and sealed; therefore, the hotter the climate zone, the more shading is required.3. Humidity and condensation are major issues in subtropical design. It’s always essential to run a Wufi analysis (which is a moisture study) as well as the PHPP modelling to resolve any moisture issues and prevent unseen mould growth in the building structure over the long term. . If you’d like to hear more about the Wufi analysis you can find more information in Episode 4. Passive House Consultant and Certifier – with Luc...

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• Passive House Design: Warm Temperate

  How do you design a Passive House in Warm Temperate climates like Perth, Adelaide or Sydney?In today's episode, I continue to investigate the design specifics for each of the four climate zones around Australia, where most of our population lives. I talk to very experienced Passive House designer Ben Caine, the director of the award-winning practice Leanhaus Architecture in Perth. Ben’s architectural mission is to deliver well-thought-out, mindful, architectural homes to the passive house standard, at less cost than a typical architecturally designed home. Ben explains the Passive House design specifics for Warm Temperate, plus he shares ideas on cost savings and heaps of other information and insights from his years of experience to help you better understand Passive House. Australian Architects can claim formal CPD hours for these podcasts. MORE INFORMATIONFind everything you need on the Renovation Collaborative website. www.renovationcollaborative.com.auPODCAST Key points summary, timestamps and resource linksFREE RESOURCES Transcript edited into clear Q&A.CPD Australian architects can find more information on CPD, and COURSES Eleven easy to read courses demystifying the entire home design and construction process. KEY POINT SUMMARY1. Through his practice, Leanhaus Architecture, Ben delivers well-thought-out, mindful architectural homes to the passive house standard for a lower cost than a typical architecturally designed home. His practice proves that if you are open to finding efficiencies across design and construction, you can have a passive house or high-performance home without the additional cost. 2. Ben generally designs to the Passive House standard without going as far as certification for the simple reason that Passive House certification adds cost. However, it’s essential to note that during the first four years of Leanhaus Architecture, Ben and his team went to great lengths to model, test and optimize every design and understand the exact formula for success. They can now confidently deliver to the passive house standard without the extra cost. 3. The 5 Passive House design components for a Warm temperate climate are as follows:Windows are double-glazed and always operable. Windows should enable cross ventilation, purging any excess heat build-up, and connection to the outdoors to enjoy comfortable external temperatures during spring and autumn. The fresh air circulation system is an HRV Wall insulation can fit within a typical 90mm timber stud framed wall thickness. No under-slab insulation is required, but sometimes slab edges may require insulation. Only one layer of external wrapping is required; the vapour-permeable weatherproof membrane on the outside of the home is taped, sealed and made...

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• Passive House Design: Mild Temperate

  How do you design a Passive House in a mild temperate climate like Melbourne? In today's episode, I continue to investigate the design specifics for each of the four climate zones around Australia where most of our population lives. I talk to very experienced Passive House designer Andy Marlow, a director of the award winning environmental practice Envirotecture in Victoria and New South Wales.In this episode, Andy explains the Passive House design specifics for Mild Temperate. Plus we talk more about Enerfit, the renovation and retrofit tool, and he shares heaps of other information and insights from his years of experience to help you better understand Passive House.Australian Architects can claim formal CPD hours for these podcasts. MORE INFORMATIONFind everything you need on the Renovation Collaborative website. www.renovationcollaborative.com.auPODCAST Key points summary, timestamps and resource linksFREE RESOURCES Transcript edited into clear Q&A.CPD Australian architects can find more information on CPD, and COURSES Eleven easy to read courses demystifying the entire home design and construction process. KEY POINT SUMMARY1. In terms of the five Passive House design components, mild temperate is very similar to cool temperate. Windows are double or sometimes triple glazed depending on the design. The fresh air circulation system is an HRV Stud framed wall thicknesses are typically 140mm to allow for more insulation, and insulation is required to separate a concrete floor slab from the cool earth temperature below. An internal wrap for air tightness and moisture control is usually required in addition to the exterior weather tight wrap, and Removing thermal bridges is always important. 2. The colour of the roof and walls is considered in the PHPP modelling and affects the design's performance. In cooler climates, dark coloured buildings perform slightly better than light coloured buildings. Dark coloured roof and walls will dry out faster which can be beneficial to reduce any moisture in the wall and roof structure. However, Andy noted that as a nation going forward into climate change and increasing temperatures, generally speaking, lighter coloured buildings are the best solution. 3. Passive House is a performance standard so buildings can be constructed from any material as long as they deliver the required results through the PHPP modelling. Andy references a Passive House that Envirotecture have completed made from straw bale. 4. Passive House certification costs around 3 to 8% extra, however the value it adds far outweighs the extra cost. Envirotecture prefer to build certified Passive Houses over uncertified high performance because of the rigorous testing on site. The quality assurance. 5. When renovating, the whole building must be upgraded to achieve Enerfit certification. Improvements must be made to...

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