According to research by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), “energy use in buildings is responsible for 26 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and is the primary cause of peak energy demand on the electricity network.” 

Furthermore, on particularly hot days, air conditioners in Australia can consume as much as 22 per cent of all the electricity generated across the nation.

Australia is one of the worlds’ most urbanised nations, with 89 per cent of residents living in cities. The stringent Passive House standard, though not yet much of a factor in Australia, offers the potential for multi-family housing that serves the continued demand for urban housing while drastically reducing energy consumption.

Two multi-family Passive House projects in Portland, Oregon, one just completed and one just begun, are examples of innovative projects that could be adapted for Australian cities. Portland is one of the strongest Passive House markets in the US, with more than a dozen projects built already.

The Kiln Apartments were designed by GBD Architects of Portland. This recently completed infill project offers 19 one-bedroom apartments that range from about 50 to 70 square metres. The project also includes first-floor retail space. The site dimensions demanded a longer and narrower structure than is ideal for maximizing energy efficiency, so other elements had to be optimized to cut energy use by 70 to 80 per cent to meet Passive House standards.

As with all Passive House projects, the building is heavily insulated, with 100 millimetres of rigid foam insulation under the slab and footings. The walls are insulated to R-42 with dense-packed cellulose, and include two layers of 50-millimetre exterior rigid insulation. The R-70 roof uses wooden trusses with 500 millimetres of batt insulation, plus 100 millimetres of rigid foam insulation on top....Continue Reading

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