ECHO.1

Buildings account for 19% of emissions, and it’s crucial that Australia improves the performance of these long-lived assets now. Australia’s 9 million existing homes have a 2.2-star average, leading to poor health, productivity and financial outcomes that cost the economy. Ambitious housing targets have been set, but the industry is still reeling from rapid cost escalation, skill shortages, insolvencies, interest rate rises and worsening consumer affordability. Despite these headwinds, ECHO.1 has ambitiously delivered high-performance homes to the world-leading Passivhaus standard at scale, showcasing a vision of how we can address the climate, housing and energy crises in this country.

Passivhaus is the most stringent building standard globally and a decarbonisation pathway by massively reducing energy demand. C Street committed to Passivhaus certification early, and accelerated design to resolve key strategies for airtightness and thermal performance. International examples were adapted to Australian conditions, new solutions were engineered to reconcile Passivhaus with code compliance, and costs were managed to ensure competitive returns. ECHO.1 has now welcomed its first residents and is performing excellently, with solar and battery capabilities supporting net zero operation. By proving that high-performance projects are commercially viable, ECHO.1 is an exciting glimpse of what lies ahead.

ECHO.1 is an important demonstration of the viability of Passivhaus-certified buildings at scale. It gave practical exposure for consultants and trades to solve complex details in a Class 2 project. ECHO.1 supported new businesses like specialist membrane installers, and distributors of high-performance products. C Street continues to engage community though our educational display home, building a wider understanding of ECHO.1’s net zero outcomes and the benefits of high-performance homes. By pioneering Passivhaus at scale, ECHO.1 is derisking the technical, legal and financial challenges to embolden more developers to improve the performance of our future housing.

ECHO.1’s objective is to deliver well-designed homes that are guaranteed to perform for its occupants. Passivhaus certification is central this strategy in achieving very low energy demand, thermal comfort, excellent air quality and quiet interiors. Continuous insulation is achieved with 50mm Durrapanel around the exterior of the 90mm frame. Thermal bridges are treated with additional insulation, such as around the suspended slab. Verified airtightness performance prevents loss of energy, while Zehnder heat recovery ventilators provide continuous fresh, filtered air. Triple glazed doors, windows and skylights with low U-values are featured. The homes have north-facing orientation, enjoying generous natural light and deep soil gardens. Ten canopy trees have been planted amongst hedges, shrubs and grasses. The cladding is robust and minimalist, using light-coloured brick and metalwork in clean lines. Together with the Surfmist roof, this building reflects heat and stays cool. Each home has ceiling fans, and a 6.8kW Daikin multi-head reverse cycle aircon for cooling during summer heatwaves. 4.4kW of solar, 9.6kWh of battery storage and a 7kW EV charger are standard inclusions. An efficient Reclaim heat pump supplies hot water, while carbon-neutral V-Zug appliances are specified in the kitchen. These all-electric homes, with best-in-class equipment are future-ready.