Wonnarua & Darkinjung Country
New South Wales
Putty Passiv is a resilient, off-grid bushland home shaped by its hillside context and the clients’ desire to embrace a slower, nature-focused lifestyle. It combines traditional passive solar principles with contemporary technologies to deliver comfort, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. The two-pavilion layout responds to the site: one follows the natural contours, while the other faces north to capture daylight, solar gain, and bushland views.
The home is fully electric, powered by on-site solar energy, and incorporates sustainable systems including rainwater collection, a worm farm septic system, and EV charging. Prefabricated panels, ventilated façades, electric shutters, and low-toxicity finishes enhance durability, indoor air quality, and occupant comfort.
Wrapped in Ironbark decking, Putty Passiv blurs the boundary between interior and exterior, demonstrating how thoughtful design, passive strategies, and sustainable technologies can create a climate-responsive, high-performance home in harmony with its landscape.
This house is a luxurious bush retreat allowing us a high level of comfort whilst being immersed in the natural environment.Â
Vast windows and high roof lines provide the perfect aspect of the soaring trees and abundant wildlife. With decking on all sides there are plenty of options to sit outside, whether seeking sun or shade throughout the day.
The Passivhaus design allows us to enjoy our bush sanctuary throughout the year without worrying about the extremes of heat and cold. There is also the added comfort in knowing the house has been designed with consideration of bush fire safety.
Simon Anderson, Design Architect
Lachlan Kain, Project Lead: Architectural Assistant
Tom Rogers, Project Lead: Architectural Assistant
Alexandra Woods, Passivhaus Consulting
Megan Julian, Concept Design Team
Anatasia Uricher, Concept Design Team
Sophia Gordon, Carbon Footprint Analysis
Isabella Howe, Architectural Assistant
Eli Conroy, Master Builder
Duncan Cameron, Foreman
Ben Conroy, Constructions Operation Manager
Evan Graham, Prefabricated Panels Builder
Tadd Walford, Structural Engineer
Alan Dowling, Structural Engineer
Liz Smith, Landscape Consultant
Erryn Blacklock, Landscape Consultant
Dan Rooke, Landscape Consultant
Marcus Strang, Passivhaus Certifier