Get It Right with Undercover Architect

Passive House Design and Budget Lessons: Project Update, with Jan and Landon

Aug 11, 2025
Jan and Landon share their journey of building a Passive House in Sydney, emphasizing sustainability and age-in-place design. They discuss their current project status, detailing the unique features of their main house and granny flat. The couple navigates design challenges while keeping costs in check, collaborating closely with their architect and builder. They reflect on accessibility considerations and the practical impacts of budgeting on material choices. Their proactive project management ensures a well-organized build process, supported by a skilled team.
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ANECDOTE

Granny Flat Decision

  • Landon and Jan decided the granny flat would be built to the same passive-house method but not certified to avoid redundancy.
  • They chose architect-designed integration over off-the-shelf units to maintain thermal performance and visual cohesion.
INSIGHT

Form Follows Performance

  • Passive House form constraints push toward simpler shapes unless budget increases significantly.
  • Jan and Landon balanced performance with budget by avoiding complex projections and keeping form simple.
ADVICE

Prioritise Accessibility Over Aesthetics

  • Stick to your accessibility brief and accept spatial trade-offs rather than compromising essentials.
  • Design bathrooms and halls larger where future needs are likely and ensure construction drawings allow future grab-rail addition.
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