Passive house insights shape sustainable future at Bradmill Yarraville
Lessons from a landmark passive house study are helping shape the design of Frasers Property Australia’s Bradmill community in Melbourne’s inner west, with a focus on improving energy efficiency, indoor comfort and long-term liveability.
The developer recently completed what it describes as the first large-scale comparative passive house study undertaken by an Australian developer at its Life, Point Cook community.
GALLERY
Two identical homes were constructed, with one built to a standard 6-Star rating and the other designed to meet international Passivhaus standards.
After 12 months of occupancy, the passive house consumed around half the energy of the standard home. The study also recorded improved indoor air quality, lower humidity, reduced carbon dioxide levels and significantly lower noise. Independent global consultancy Arup assessed the findings, which are now informing sustainability decisions across Frasers Property developments, including Bradmill.
While the Yarraville townhomes are not certified passive houses, the company has incorporated the passive design measures that delivered the greatest performance benefits without significantly increasing construction costs.
“We essentially looked at which aspects of passive house design delivered the best bang-for-buck for customers, and the result is an all-electric community where solar panels, double glazing, better airtightness and top-of-the-range insulation are standard,” said Kate Nason, Sustainability Manager, Development at Frasers Property.
Optional upgrades include solar batteries, EV chargers and a balanced air filtration system that removes dust, pollen and pollutants before fresh air enters the home while continuously filtering indoor air. The system allows homes to maintain fresh air circulation without opening windows, helping preserve internal temperatures while supporting occupants with asthma or allergies.
Achieving improved airtightness has required collaboration across design and construction teams, with specialist workshops focused on detailing and installation methods. Airtightness is measured through blower door testing, which identifies air leakage and verifies building performance.
Nason said reducing household energy costs was the primary objective, but occupant comfort quickly became another defining benefit.
“They’re extremely quiet and maintain a pleasant and liveable temperature with much reduced reliance on heating and cooling systems,” she said.
Located on the former Bradmill textile factory site, the 26-hectare precinct will ultimately deliver around 680 townhomes and 760 apartments for approximately 3,500 residents. Alongside energy-efficient homes, the masterplanned community incorporates cycling connections, public transport access, extensive green spaces and the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed industrial buildings into resident amenities, reinforcing sustainability through both environmental performance and place-led design.
Images via Frasers Property
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