The Bob Marshman building at the Construction Training Centre (CTC) completed in July 2024 is Australia’s first certified Passivhaus Plus training centre. This is innovative due to the building’s subtropical context where Passivhaus (PH) certification is not as commonly applied as in cooler, less humid climates. The PH certification requires an extremely airtight building envelope with significant amounts of thermal insulation, thermally broken windows and sophisticated heat recovery ventilation system which reduces the cooling energy required. However, given the humid climate as well as high building occupancy rates, the mechanical systems needed to adapt to maintain air quality and humidity.

Subtropical design principles such as orientation, rainwater collection and passive design strategies were key to the project’s design from the early concept stages. The intent was to create a testing ground commercial building almost vernacular in nature with sustainable, easily available materials that dealt with the particulars of subtropical climate and could easily be replicated in future using familiar construction materials.

The project ‘s sustainability targets and certifications did not impact on time or money, finishing on time and under budget. This is replicable especially as it offers a solution to passive heating and cooling where hot and humid climate is a challenge. The success of the project is due to the whole consultant team as well as the sustainability ambitious client whose drive to build better and mantra of “Inform, challenge and excite” was the driving force behind the project. The BMB training centre is highly energy efficient, quiet, climatically controlled and boasting superior air quality. It is a proof that Passivhaus certified learning environments in subtropical climates are not only a possible but also highly desirable, value adding propositions.

Photography by Hutchinson Builders