Professional Passive Home Builders

We are Australia’s Certified PassivHaus Builders in The Gold Coast Queensland.

We Design Sustainable Living

Welcome to Purcell Homes, where we take pride in being passive home builders. Located on the beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland, our mission is to build, extend, or renovate sustainable, energy-efficient houses that significantly reduce our eco-footprint.

 

So what does Passive House actually mean? Also known as Passivhaus, it’s a building design standard that started in Germany and has since earned worldwide acclaim. The focus is to design homes that require minimal energy for heating or cooling year-round. The thermal envelope (the layer that separates the inside from the outside) of the home is enhanced through, Thermal bridge construction, a continuous insulation layer, an airtight construction design equal to or below .3 air changes an hour, high-high-quality windows and doors also airtight and a mechanical ventilation system that in Queensland is coupled with an energy recovery core. The Passive House standard ensures a healthy, comfortable, and affordable home long-term making it a leading model for sustainable living.

What Are the Benefits of a PassivHaus in Australia?

As climate change continues to influence our environment, building a Passive Home is becoming increasingly valuable. Here are some key benefits of Passive Homes in the Gold Coast Australia:

  • Energy Efficiency: Passive home designs minimise energy use, significantly reducing heating and cooling needs. This results in lower energy bills and a reduced eco-footprint.

  • Comfort: By maintaining consistent indoor temperatures, passive homes provide superior comfort throughout the year, regardless of external weather conditions.

  • Health: Enhanced indoor air quality and reduced exposure to pollutants make passive homes healthier environments, particularly beneficial for those with respiratory issues.

  • Sustainability: Passive homes contribute to a sustainable future by reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources and promoting environmentally friendly building practices.

  • Greater Resale Value: Passivhaus Australia certification provides peace of mind that your home is designed for optimum performance in temperature extremes which increases its long-term market value.

  • Mitigate the risk of mould and condensation throughout the entire home. Making the home a healthier place to live and raise your family. Also keeping the structure dry which extends the life of the home and minimises maintenance. 

  • With superior air tightness in your home construction. Vermin and bugs will find it extremely hard to find their way inside making your home healthier as you will not have contaminants in the home, or the need to spray unhealthy chemicals.

  • Testing, through this process your home is not only designed to perform but throughout the construction process, testing is performed and documented to guarantee your home performs as designed

Our PassivHaus Building Process

As highly qualified & certified Passive Home builders, we will guide you through every step of your building process to ensure a smooth, transparent, and easy experience;

Initial Consultation: We begin with a detailed consultation to understand your needs, preferences, and vision for your passive home.

Design & Planning

Our team of experts collaborate with you to design a home that meets the Passive House standards and suits your lifestyle

 

Construction

Using sustainable materials and advanced building techniques, we construct your home with precision and care.

Quality Assurance

We perform rigorous testing and inspections to ensure your home meets all PassivHaus Australia standards.

 

Handover & Support

Upon completion, we provide a thorough handover and ongoing support to help you maximise the benefits of your passive home. We want to make this journey stress-free so you can enjoy the experience.

Passive House Principles in Queensland Climate

Building a Passive House on the Gold Coast involves specific considerations due to our unique climate. With warm, humid summers and mild winters, our primary goals are to minimise heating in winter and reduce cooling needs in summer. We incorporate climate-appropriate designs to ensure your home remains energy-wise and comfortable year-round. As community awareness of energy-efficient homes continues to grow, investing in sustainable living not only ensures your family’s well-being, it increases your home’s value for years to come! Check out our passive home blog to discover even more insights!

Our PassHaus Building Standards & Expertise

Purcell Homes is dedicated to excellence in passive home construction. Our team is certified and experienced in building passive home designs. Whether you choose to work directly with us or with an architect, collaboration with like-minded eco-friendly professionals ensures the best outcome for your home renovation or new build.

Passive Home FAQS

The cost varies based on design, size, and materials. Investing in a Passive House can lead to significant long-term savings on energy bills. Your home will require less ongoing maintenance as the construction process keeps your structure drier with the use on ventilated cavities

The construction timeline depends on the complexity of the design and the specifics of the project. It typically ranges from several months to a year.

Yes, you can open windows in a Passive House, although the design minimises the need to do so for ventilation purposes. On the Gold Coast particularly in summer, you will need to open windows to aid in passive cooling. You can live in your home as you would normally.

While Passive Houses significantly reduce the need for air conditioning, some climates like ours here in Queensland, may still benefit from supplemental cooling in the hotter summer months. This may also be coupled with external shading or the use of a dehumidifier.

Certification is not mandatory but is highly recommended to ensure your home meets the PassivHaus standards.

Yes, Passive Houses offer superior indoor air quality, making them ideal for individuals with respiratory conditions. With the filters in the Mechanical Ventilation with Energy Recovery, you will also be able to mitigate the risk of bushfire smoke, plane fumes, and pretty much all contaminants.

No, Passive Houses can be designed in various shapes and sizes to meet your specific needs and preferences.