This passive house, BAL40 home in the Blue Mountains was built to allow the owners and their family to coexist with each other and the natural environment. This project serves as a yellow rock case study.
Video: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Sustainability features
- Meets the Passive House Plus standard for maximum annual heat demand (15 kWh/m2) and airtightness (0.6 ACH)
- Bushfire attack level (BAL) rating of 40
- 15kW solar PV system with 40.5kWh battery storage
- Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system for improved air quality and temperature regulation
- Triple-glazed timber frame windows
- North-east orientation to take advantage of natural lighting and prevailing breezes
- R4.5 insulation in walls and R6 insulation in roof cavity
- All electric, minimum 5-star energy rating cooking appliances
- Hot water heat pump
Project details
Building type: Low density intergenerational housing
NCC climate zone: 6 – mild temperate
Architect: Diego Villar
Builder: Blue Eco Homes
Size: 524m2
Size of land: 13,018m2
Cost of build: $4750 per m2
This home was design to be accessible for people of all abilities, ensuring ease of movement and enabling residents to age in place comfortably.
Photo: Open2View. © Blue Eco Homes.
With a high bushfire attack level (BAL) rating and conscious design with respect to the natural surrounds, the Yellow Rock home harmonises with the existing environment.
Photo: Open2View. © Blue Eco Homes.
Author
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, 2024
Projects like the Yellow Rock case study show what is possible when sustainability, resilience, and performance are considered from the ground up. For Blue Eco Homes, this is the kind of work that reflects our core philosophy — creating homes that are healthier to live in, more comfortable in every season, and better prepared for the environmental challenges of the future.
By combining Passivhaus principles, thoughtful design, and practical construction expertise, we help homeowners achieve more than compliance. We build homes that are energy efficient, durable, and tailored to the realities of life in the Blue Mountains and surrounding regions.
If you are planning a new home and want expert guidance on Passivhaus, high-performance construction, or bushfire-resistant design, Blue Eco Homes is here to help you move forward with confidence.
