Ngunnawal people
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra's first Cross Laminated Timber houses, prefabricated in Europe and built entirely to strict Passivhaus  environmental standards, are now up for scutiny in the judging of the 2026 National Architecture awards.  Located in the suburb of Garran they have at their core the first such locally designed, assembled and imported house structures in this city.  The combination of CLT together with German invented 'Passivhaus' brings together the advantages of both types of advanced building technology to produce quality living outcomes here which have now become mandated in other parts of the world.  The two side by side residences can now achieve year round comfort conditions which Canberra pioneers could only have dreamed of!
Commendation for Sustainable Architecture
Trevor Bunning Architects have delivered a rigorous and highly resolved response to low-carbon housing, underpinned by a clearly coordinated design journey. The integration of cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction with Passivhaus principles reflects a deliberate alignment between structure, envelope and performance. This is reinforced through detailed life cycle assessment, demonstrating substantial reductions in global warming potential and operational impacts.
The project is commended for its clarity and discipline, translating technical ambition into a coherent, buildable outcome that advances both environmental performance and architectural quality.
Commendation for Sustainable Architecture
Trevor Bunning Architects have delivered a rigorous and highly resolved response to low-carbon housing, underpinned by a clearly coordinated design journey. The integration of cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction with Passivhaus principles reflects a deliberate alignment between structure, envelope and performance. This is reinforced through detailed life cycle assessment, demonstrating substantial reductions in global warming potential and operational impacts.
The project is commended for its clarity and discipline, translating technical ambition into a coherent, buildable outcome that advances both environmental performance and architectural quality.
A redevelopment of the block would allow us to create two dwellings, one being a family home for retirement and each with significantly less than 1600 square metres to maintain. Â Our brief included an emphasis on low energy running costs, minimal exposure to the fluctuations in air temperature and current code compliant accessibility with disabled lift access to all levels. Â The design would reflect retirement lifestyle aspirations including one resident's more specialised interests in pipe organ building, maintenance and playing practice. Â A large extended garage would accommodate this along with a level 1 sky lit art studio.
Â
Trevor Bunning, Design Architect
Dr Myles Bunning, Architect, Architect
KLH Pacific Pty Ltd, Engineer
LAB Design Passivhaus Certified Consultant, ESD Consultant
Laros Technologies, Services Consultant
Logikhaus Windows & Doors, Design and Installation of Fenestration
Lifts for Life, Design, Import, Assembly and Install