This unique warehouse conversion explores the potential of Passive House principles in the context of an inner-city Melbourne site. The project represents a thoughtful blend of environmental performance and refined architecture—where sustainability is embedded in the structure rather than worn on the sleeve.
Passive House is based on performance standards rather than prescriptive methods. As Director Antony DiMase explains, “One of the hardest parts about Passive House is that it doesn’t tell you how to do it; it outlines the principles, and it’s up to each architect to apply those principles.” In this case, DiMase Architects took on the challenge of applying those principles to an existing industrial structure.
Key features of the design include:
A high-performance airtight envelope with a continuous internal air barrier
Comprehensive insulation including wrap-around bulk insulation and reflective foil to reduce solar heat gain
Minimised thermal bridging and meticulous sealing of junctions—around windows, doors, and even power points
High-quality, triple-glazed European-style windows
A heat-recovery ventilation system that provides fresh air while retaining warmth in winter and coolness in summer
While the project aligns closely with Passive House principles, it was not submitted for formal certification. Instead, the goal was to test these ideas in a real-world retrofit context. The result? A 7-Star energy-rated home that balances environmental performance with architectural integrity.
DiMase Architects collaborated with Passive House consultant Peter Steudle to refine technical strategies and optimise building performance. “This isn’t the kind of thing you decide to do midway through a project,” Antony notes. “The principles have to filter through everything from the beginning.”
Importantly, the home doesn’t sacrifice lifestyle or flexibility. It’s designed for airtightness, but also allows natural ventilation, solar gain in winter, and shading in summer. The architecture encourages active engagement from its residents—a gentle reminder that good design and good living go hand-in-hand.
Beyond energy efficiency, this project also champions sustainability through adaptive reuse. Transforming an existing warehouse rather than building new highlights the often-overlooked environmental value of reusing what’s already there.
“It’s not engineer-driven, like some Passive Houses can be,” Antony says. “It’s architecturally pleasing. The sustainability features are just there, embedded in the infrastructure for the long term.”
This Passive House-inspired warehouse is a case study in how energy-efficient design and beautiful architecture can coexist—even in the challenging context of a retrofit. It’s a space designed to evolve, to teach, and to be lived in.
