PASSIVE, SUSTAINABLE & OFF-GRID HOME PORTFOLIO

Huff ‘n’ Puff house is a resilient and sustainable off-grid strawbale Passivhaus Premium Certified home which generates more energy than it consumes. The home uses a wide range of Passivhaus features to achieve a consistent indoor temperature with minimal heating and cooling. Triple-glazed windows, continuous insulation to roof, walls and floor, Heat-Recovery ventilation, and air-tight construction create a high-quality building envelope which maximises efficiency.

Passive Solar Design principles orient the site to allow winter solar gain, with appropriate shading to exclude summer sun, high levels of insulation, and natural cross-ventilation with carefully placed, high-quality openable windows.

The strawbale sit up panels have a value range of R7 – R9 and use embodied energy to boost the passive nature of the home. The use of natural straw adds to the sustainable component of the build. A natural lime render applied to the walls provides not only an added benefit for insulation, but also creates a unique patina, in harmony with the rural setting.

This industry leading passivhaus received the MBAV Best Sustainable Home Award 2024, Northern Region, in recognition of for it’s ethical material choices, innovation and craftsmanship.

For this rural lifestyle property, the clients requested an energy efficient, off-grid home which optimised the use of solar power. They required a compact design, which maximised views of the surrounding countryside and provided indoor and outdoor areas to enjoy regardless of season.

Clever design and meticulous planning were central to achieving the client’s brief. As an off-grid project, Hedger Constructions ensured all services to the site and infrastructure were captured in the build. Polished concrete floors run throughout the open plan home, providing good thermal mass, whilst commercial windows draw views in to the centre of the house and allow solar gain to passively heat the concrete slab in winter. The internal walls are exposed masonry blocks, which not only provide a solid feel and rustic style, but also create thermal mass to help provide heat retention and energy savings.

The house is serviced by a P.V. unit with full battery back‐up, double-glazed windows, low energy downlights and high levels of insulation. Attention to sealing details, siting and positioning were imperative to achieve high efficiency levels. Similarly, the use of L.P.G. gas for the hot water service and cooking offset the need for electrical production.

Read more about this property in a feature by Melbourne Home Design + Living Magazine.

This award-winning energy efficient off grid home is a low maintenance lifestyle property, for which all services to the site and infrastructure were captured in the build. The high cathedral ceilings of the living space picture frame the dramatic view through expansive double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows. Exposed sugar gum trusses with iron truss plates in the alfresco area and a Chiminees Phillipe heater on an exposed concrete hearth are also key features of the home.

Hedger Constructions were proud to receive the 2019 MBAV Best Custom Home Award $500,000 – $600,000, Northeast Region  for this outstanding custom home.

Read more about this property in feature articles by Complete Home and Melbourne Home Design + Living

This magnificent off-grid holiday home capitalises on its elevated position providing uninterrupted Lake Eildon and mountain views. Set on 3.44 acres, the home sits in harmony with the landscape, with natural stonework, expansive glass and soaring ceilings. Featuring 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, the property has multiple open-plan entertaining zones, and indoor / outdoor dining spaces. At the heart of the home is a stone kitchen with premium appliances and butler’s pantry. A massive 4 bay shed ideal for boat storage completes this luxury lifestyle home.

From the outset, attention to sustainability was a key component of the build. With the cost of mains power prohibitive, the home was designed to be off grid and all requirements scoped to suit, with Hedger Constructions ensuring all services to the site and infrastructure were captured in the build. Polished concrete floors run throughout the lower level, providing good thermal mass, whilst commercial windows draw views into the centre of the house and allow solar gain to passively heat the concrete slab in winter. The external walls are rendered masonry blocks, which not only provide a solid feel, but also create thermal mass to help provide heat retention and energy savings. Feature stonework and steel-cladding has naturally oxidized, adding a rustic feature to the external appearance which is complementary to the landscape.

The house is serviced by a P.V. unit with full battery back-up, double-glazed windows, low energy downlights and high levels of insulation. Attention to sealing details, siting and positioning were imperative to achieve high efficiency levels. Similarly, the use of L.P.G. gas for the hot water service and cooking offset the need for electrical production. Water is harvested via a 70,000L rainwater tank.

Read more about this property in a feature by Complete Home. 

This award winning sustainable home blends with the rural environment, incorporates energy efficient elements and functions as a retreat for the owners from their busy Melbourne lifestyle, as well as providing a bed & breakfast facility for guests. To enhance the energy efficiency and to ensure building sat synergistically with its bush setting, the home was effectively built into the natural slope of the block, with the soil and thermal mass acting as insulation for the home. Polystyrene under the slab and double block reinforced concrete walls, along with extensive wall and ceiling insulation further assisted the home to achieve it’s 8.4 star energy rating.

Externally the home was clad with spotted gum and stone which added the natural elements to the design and a number of recycled materials were also used internally. The home features a well-appointed kitchen with an expansive open plan dining and lounge area. The adjacent al fresco area leads to the rooftop garden that sits above the second bedrooms of the home. Water is collected via a Versidrain system that is then stored and used to reticulate gardens when required.

Hedger Constructions was proud to receive the 2015 MBAV Best Sustainable Home Award, Northeast for this outstanding custom home.

Read more about this property in feature articles by Complete Home and Melbourne Custom Homes Magazine.

Based upon sustainable energy principles, this largescale custom home received both HIA and MBAV awards. Constructed using Zego blocks, the home features a wide range of energy efficient features including double glazed P.V.C framed windows, suspended slabs and an internal stone wall for thermal mass. A wormfarm for sewerage and waste, solar hot water boosted by combustion stove, thermostatic vented ceiling spaces and passive solar shades fitted to northern windows, all add to the sustainable aspect.

Designed for compartmentalized living , zoned areas reduce energy consumption and heating. This 5 level home offers practicality in living with an awareness of blending with the surrounding natural landscapes.

Hedger Constructions was proud to receive the 2006 HIA Energy Efficient Custom Built Home Award and 2006 MBAV Best Custom Home Over $500,000 Award, Northeast Region, for this industry leading energy efficient home.

This award-winning custom home was designed and built by Hedger Constructions with Greensmart principles in mind and achieved a 6-star energy rating. Zoned living spaces, double glazed windows and skylights with electric blinds, and north facing orientation provide light and outstanding insulation qualities. Celestial windows allow winter sun to warm a heat sink wall and all under floor heating is zoned. Wide eaves allow for shading around the home for orientation of the sun throughout the year. A quantum heat pump serves the hot water system and a water tank is used for sanitation and garden watering.

Hedger Constructions was proud to receive the 2009 MBAV Best Display Home $300,000 to $400,000, Northeast Region for this leading energy efficient home.