NatHERS Rating 🏡 Renovate: 7.0 Stars | Rebuild: 7.2 Stars
In the seaside suburb of Malabar, NSW, ARKHAUS collaborated with SUHO to explore the energy performance potential of both a Renovate and a Rebuild pathway. Through careful consideration of passive design principles suited to Climate Zone 5, both options were refined to maximise natural comfort and thermal performance.
At the heart of the design strategy was a commitment to north-facing living zones, particularly the kitchen and living areas. This orientation provides ideal winter sun access while remaining easy to shade in summer. As SUHO advised, “North orientation of living spaces is desirable, because the position of the sun in the sky allows full sun access in winter.” This guidance was integrated into both the Renovate and Rebuild designs.
To further enhance seasonal performance, passive solar control strategies were implemented. In the Rebuild option, fixed horizontal shading, including deep eaves, pergolas and a generous north-facing outdoor living area, were introduced to regulate summer heat without compromising winter warmth. These low-effort, high-impact features are perfectly suited to Malabar’s mild climate and coastal location, helping to stabilise internal temperatures year-round.
While both schemes performed strongly, the Rebuild design edged ahead with a 7.2-star NatHERS rating (compared to 7.0 for the Renovate), thanks to its enhanced outdoor integration and optimised shading. This modest yet meaningful uplift reflects how small, strategic design adjustments, informed by climate-responsive thinking, can result in tangible improvements to energy efficiency and comfort.
This project demonstrates how embracing local climate insights and prioritising solar orientation and shading strategies can refine both renovation and rebuild outcomes. At Malabar, SUHO’s optimisation process enabled ARKHAUS to achieve better performance with simple yet effective passive design solutions, proving that thoughtful architecture doesn’t need to be complex to be high performing.
