Resources
In House Passive House Services
It comes as no surprise that we at Gruen Eco Design love Passive House! Once you look into this way of building energy efficient, comfortable and healthy homes there is no way back anymore. We have been designing and detailing passive houses for a while now. So, our...
Build Architecture Awards 2020: Passive House Designer of the Year
We are so excited to annouce that our Founder and Senior Certified Passive House Design, Simone Schenkel, has been awarded the Passive House Designer of the Year in the Build Architecture Awards 2020. See Below for the full article.
Our New Certified Passive House Designers – Dee & Shaily
Please say congratulations to Dee & Shaily on becoming Certified Passive House Designers. We are very excited to announce that Dee & Shaily have received their certificates. And can now officially call themselves: CERTIFIED PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGNER!!!!...
Learnings from the 24th International Passive House Conference
Well, there are a few good things coming out of the pandemic. One being that all major events are going virtual this year. I am very excited to attend the International Passive House Conference in Germany. And I can watch presentations while doing house work ? While a...
Passive House Podcast Feature
Our founder and Passive House designer here at Gruen Eco Design recently had the pleasure of being interviewed on this international Passive House Podcast. Simone shares her expertise and experience about Passive House and her passion to help change the building...
Why it pays off to have a builder on board early on
We are currently working on a new SIPS passive house in Blackburn at the most beautiful location. Overlooking a park and with lots of amazing gum trees. While these trees do look great and create a great character. They had also lots of other implications. The site...
The 20/20 House Part 24 – How to Chop Thousands off Your Passive House Build
The Gruen Eco Design blog about how to convert your dream of an energy efficient home into a reality. How to Chop Thousands off Your Passive House Build As some of you might have heard. Our mission at Gruen Eco Design is to make energy efficient homes a staple...
How to not build an energy efficient home
Are you thinking about building a new home? Ever wondered whether to go for a 6- or 7-star home? What’s the difference anyway? And how do you know which home is best for you? How can you make sure you find the right designer and builder? Someone who designs and builds...
Sanctuary Magazine – Avoiding The Winter Cold
Want to know how you can make your existing home more energy efficient? Our very own designer Simone Schenkel shares her experience about retrofitting her 2 bedroom unit to bring it up to a very comfortable 8.4 stars with Sanctuary Magazine.
Beat The Winter Chill And Enjoy Your Cosy Home
How did you hold up this winter? Being home all day? Thanks to iso 2.0? Have you been cursing about your high energy bills? Or rather rugging up with your thick fleece jumper? Wouldn’t it be ideal to feel nice and cosy next time around? Making your home more energy...
What Will The Post Covid Home Look Like? Check Out These 6 Major Changes On How To Make The Most Of Our Homes.
The last few months have been difficult. Who would have ever thought the year could turn out like this? And of course, we all had our own challenges and different circumstances. But the one thing that we all have in common is that we are all spending much more time in...
The 20/20 House Part 23 – Covid & Other Disruptions
The Gruen Eco Design blog about how to convert your dream of an energy efficient home into a reality. Just when we Melbournians thought we were through the worst of it and life was resembling some kind of normal, we find ourselves back in lockdown 2.0. Our Gruen Team...
Why do many Europeans complain that living in a typical Australian house feels much colder than enduring a winter in Germany or Sweden?
Imagine this, it’s 6am and you’re getting out of bed. You walk barefoot to the kitchen in your summer pj’s to turn on the kettle. You then get your clothes ready for the day. Taking out your warm winter jumper and pants to get ready for work. Hold on? You might...
Why being in isolation made me love my energy efficient home.
When we bought our first home in 2010 I was very keen on getting the house as energy efficient as possible. Having grown up in Germany I know how good thermal comfort can feel. And I was not willing to keep on living in a cold and draughty home, especially if...
The First 5 Steps Before Starting A Unit Or Townhouse Development
Are you considering a subdivision? Or do you own a block of land and would like to do a development on your site? Did you know that even though there is a development in your street you might not be able to do the same on your land? I have spoken with too many...
7 Essentials When Working From Home With Kids
Working from home in itself can pose many challenges. Even more so when kids come into play. For the first 4 years (from 2013 – 2017) I was running Gruen Eco Design from home. And 3.5 years of this time I was a working from home mum. So, I know a good deal about the...
Getting a Building Permit
Before any construction can start you need a building permit. This means a building surveyor must check all construction drawings and required documentation, to make sure it complies with all building and planning regulations. Once satisfied he will stamp the plans...
The 20/20 House Part 22 – Report and Consent Approved
The Gruen Eco Design blog about how to convert your dream of an energy efficient home into a reality. Report and Consent Approved Yay! Finally: our report and consents are approved. You might remember, we had to get a report and consent to keep our reduced front...