In a property landscape often dominated by discussions of granite and gloss, two Melbourne developers dared to look deeper—beyond the superficial finishes and towards the very fabric of the buildings they were creating.
Kin Seng Choo and Michael Robertson of C Street Projects [pictured above] embarked on a journey during the challenging years of the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by a shared ambition: to introduce the global gold standard of energy-efficient building, Passivhaus, to the Australian residential market.
The result of their dedication and countless hours of research and design is ECHO, a groundbreaking development of eight certified Passivhaus townhouses at 360 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, Victoria—the first of their kind in Australia.
This isn’t just another townhouse project; it’s a testament to Choo and Robertson’s unwavering commitment to creating homes that prioritise occupant comfort, well-being, and a significantly reduced environmental footprint.
The ECHO story is one of meticulous planning, overcoming technical hurdles, and a passionate drive to educate the Australian market on why what’s in the walls matters just as much, if not more, than the colour of the benchtops.
For Choo and Robertson, the motivation was clear: to redefine value in the property sector.
They aimed to shift the focus from purely aesthetic considerations to the fundamental performance of a home, encompassing its comfort, energy efficiency, and the health of its occupants.
Their research into global best practices led them to the Passivhaus standard, a scientifically rigorous framework backed by decades of research and recognised internationally as the pinnacle of high-performance building.
They recognised the interconnectedness of climate change, housing affordability, and energy consumption, viewing high-performance building as a practical solution addressing all three.
Crucially, they believed that if a commercially viable model could be established within the private sector, it would unlock a significant and immediate decarbonisation opportunity for the built environment.
They identified Melbourne’s temperate climate as particularly well-suited, where the manageable cost of Passivhaus upgrades could drastically reduce the substantial energy bills associated with heating for a significant portion of the year.
Hawthorn, with its excellent access, orientation, and growing environmental awareness, was deemed the ideal location for ECHO.
The beauty of the Passivhaus standard, as Choo and Robertson discovered, lies in its flexibility.
There isn’t a single prescribed method to achieve its stringent criteria.
Their approach was strategic: simplify the Passivhaus-specific elements of the build by concentrating expertise within key trades. Simultaneously, they accelerated the design development phase to proactively address potential clashes between thermal and air tightness requirements and existing fire engineering and building regulations.
Their extensive experience in commercial construction meant that buildability was a central consideration from the outset.
They understood the skill levels of local trades and aimed for solutions that were effective and realistically achievable.
Unusually for developers, C Street undertook significant in-house research and development, including rigorous testing of various products, creating scale prototypes, and engaging directly with suppliers early in the process.
This proactive approach, amidst a culture where risk is often quickly transferred to the builder, demonstrated their commitment to ensuring the success of the Passivhaus principles.
Multi-residential projects in Australia present unique challenges, with strict regulations and competing demands for fire safety, services, and structural members within limited spaces.
Integrating thermal and airtightness layers added another layer of complexity.
Durra Panel emerged as a critical material, providing a continuous external insulation layer capable of supporting the vital airtightness membrane.
The glazing package proved to be a particularly significant hurdle, requiring numerous late-night discussions with suppliers from Germany and Estonia to identify cost-effective solutions.
The stark contrast between European expectations of glazing quality and Australian standards was a notable learning.
Throughout the build, Choo and Robertson remained deeply involved, leading workshops, meticulously checking quality and diligently documenting the entire process for certification.
A pivotal moment was the initial blower door test, which yielded an exceptional result of 0.36 air changes an hour (ach), powerfully validating their design and construction strategy.
They also faced unprecedented external pressures, navigating supply chain disruptions, rapid cost inflation, rising interest rates, global conflicts and an affordability crisis—making their achievement even more remarkable.
Despite countless technical challenges, their dedication, coupled with the support of a committed team of suppliers, trades, and professionals, saw them through.
For Choo and Robertson, this wasn’t a mandatory undertaking but a conscious choice driven by the belief that everyone deserves to live in a home that truly performs.
While Choo and Robertson acknowledged the inherent risks of being first movers, it is the collective responsibility of the industry to address major societal challenges.
Their unique skillset positioned them to take on this ambitious endeavour, and they are now committed to helping the broader industry embrace high-performance building practices while effectively managing costs.
They have established a townhouse as a display at ECHO to educate their peers, and the enthusiastic response, particularly from emerging leaders within the industry, has been inspiring.
The project has already attracted significant interest, with delegations from leading names such as Frasers Property, Development Victoria, Local Government, Industry Associations and Breathe Architects visiting the site, indicating a growing momentum behind the push for better building performance.
The ECHO townhouses have garnered significant praise from industry leaders.
Kate Nason from Frasers Property highlighted the project’s success in demonstrating that luxury and high performance can not only co-exist but also complement each other.
Elsie Wang (PHPP Design) lauded the sense of "calmness and serenity" within the homes, offering a sanctuary from the increasing density and construction noise of urban living.
Claire Doherty (Ratio Consultants) described ECHO as “beyond impressive”, commending the innovation, passion, precision and execution of the project as “extremely inspirational and motivating”.
Importantly, the feedback from buyers has been equally positive.
One resident noted the comfort of being able to relax at home without constantly adjusting their clothing due to temperature fluctuations.
Another acknowledged the “boldness” of Choo and Robertson’s undertaking, recognising that the value of high-performance building isn’t yet widely understood in the Australian market.
A final buyer confirmed that their expectations of a cosy and soundproof home had been fully met.
C Street’s journey with ECHO is more than just the story of building eight energy-efficient townhouses.
It’s a compelling narrative of vision, perseverance, and a deep-seated belief in creating a better future for Australian homes.
By prioritising building performance over fleeting trends, they are not only delivering exceptional living spaces but also laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and comfortable built environment for all Australians.
Their commitment to education and collaboration signals a genuine desire to elevate industry standards, proving that when it comes to homes, what’s beneath the surface truly counts.
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