Hedger Constructions Project 25
BUILDING HEALTHIER THAN EVER BEFORE
Two hours northeast of Melbourne, amidst the remote beauty of the Strathbogie Ranges, the homeowners planned to build a sustainable home and hobby farm with the aim of transitioning from the city to live a quiet and self-sufficient life. What began as a brief for an off-grid strawbale home soon developed into an industry leading achievement; Australia’s first strawbale home to achieve Passivhaus Premium Level certification.
This certification means the home generates more renewable energy than it uses, an incredible achievement for the team at Hedger Constructions. Utilising passivhaus features, the home stays at relatively constant indoor temperatures and humidity levels year-round, whilst minimising environmental impact and utility costs.
The welcoming light-filled property, known as Huff ’n’ Puff Haus, offers captivating rural views from every window. It’s a contemporary twist on a traditional strawbale farmhouse, featuring private spaces, a master bedroom wing at one end, and a guest wing at the other. Extensive thermal modelling undertaken during the design stage allowed for southern windows to be included, something traditionally forbidden by solar passive design.
The strawbale component was an integral element of the house’s success, with this ethical material choice dramatically assisting the passive nature of the build. Each of the 350mm strawbale panels has a very high insulative value, around R9. Combined with continuous roof, wall and under slab insulation, Hedger Constructions created a high-quality building envelope which maximises efficiency.
A mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system (MVHR) ensures the quality of air within the home is maintained at high levels, supplying filtered fresh air whilst actively expelling and minimising pollutants, pollens and dust. This approach provides a constant supply of fresh air to create a healthy home.
Experienced in off-grid builds, Hedger Constructions ensured Huff ‘n’ Puff Haus was self-sufficient for power, water and disposal of bio-waste on site. The all-electric off-grid home has a solar PV system and batteries incorporating 52 panels and a diesel backup generator. The home is serviced by a 115,000-litre water tank with catchment from the house roof and even has a full EV charging station.
With nine awards to date, including 2024 Best Sustainable Home in the Master Builders Association of Victoria (MBAV) Northern Awards, Huff ‘n’ Puff Haus has achieved national and international recognition. As the first Australian Certified Passivhaus Premium strawbale home, and only the fifth Certified Passivhaus Premium building in Australia, it serves as inspiration to environmentally responsible design and construction.
Modelling suggests Huff ‘n’ Puff Haus provides up to 90% more heating efficiency than an average home, delivering long term environmental and economic benefits. But this home’s real beauty is more about what you can’t see. Its inner beauty is genuine ethical responsibility, proving you can achieve an efficient, sustainable, low-carbon home, based on building science and responsible construction, that is healthier for people and the planet.
Full article : Home Design and Living