Enduring Domain Architecture

31/07/2026

Not surprisingly, multi-million dollar trend-focussed homes are not in high demand. I would love to see a TV game show where contestants aim to build the smallest and most environmentally and financially sustainable home, which is perfectly livable for an ordinary family. Make it look snazzy, sure, but give us something that meets our core needs, and which is aspirational for today, not for some outdated notion that bigger and more is better.

Nearly a year after one of The Block's most controversial auction finales, the Daylesford homes are still making headlines. One has been relisted, two are still searching for buyers, and only one has truly found a new life.

Here's what happened to every house once the cameras stopped rolling.

Read the article in the comments!

29/07/2026

Our church renovation and addition project in Invermay has been published in the latest edition of Renew Sustainable Living magazine. Built by Trunorth Projects "A Little Faith" is a great example of what can be done to improve thermal performance of an old building not really built to suit our cool-temperate climate zone.
The owners really wanted to invest in where they intended to live for the long term. While retaining the historical character of the original church structure was paramount, they were also keen to have a contrasting and more playful addition that could be built with passive-solar design principles.
The result is a visually and spatially cohesive coupling of the old with the new, to create a complete home containing nothing more and nothing less than what is needed to enjoy life comfortably through the extremes of out Central Victorian climate.
Designed Enduring Domain Architecture
Built Trunorth Projects
Photography

22/07/2026

We are excited to have been a part of the restoration and transformation of the old Kooroocheang Schoolhouse, breathing new life into this important piece of heritage architecture. If you would like to have a better look, there's no better opportunity than to get along to Winter Sounds Festival this August where the schoolhouse will play host to live music.

06/07/2026

In a passive solar 'hi-tech, low-tech' home pretty much all the heating and cooling strategies are shown in this one image.
In the centre on the internal wall is a reverse-cycle air conditioner which gives push-button heating and cooling. When coupled with solar panels and battery storage this equipment is basically free to run. A sweep fan on the ceiling for some very low energy usage air movement. Low Winter sun entering the north-facing windows and hitting the slab floor, charges the thermal mass inside the home with free heat energy and keeps a stable temperature throughout the year. Finally on the left is a slow-combustion wood heater inside an externally insulated brick chimney. This is for the ambiance, the radiant heat, the glow and crackle of the naked flame. The most primal and oldest form of heating know to our ancient ancestors. Still works today.
Featured - 'Ember', our latest off-grid passive-solar family home in Ballarat.
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Built by
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01/07/2026

More of that good free heat entering your home throughout the day. Even if there are obstructions to the sun hitting the thermal mass floor, it doesn't eally matter. The sun will move across your floor throughout the day and is continuously storing heat energy into everything it hits.
Its also nice not to have to turn your lights on during the day, when you have correctly positioned and sized windows.
Featured - 'Ember', our latest off-grid passive-solar family home in Ballarat.
Designed by
Built by
Photos

28/06/2026

North-facing windows + sun hitting exposed concrete floor = free Winter heating, happy home and happy people!
Did you know, a well design passive solar home will not need any heating on a sunny Winters day, even in cool Central Victoria, and probably not even for several overcast days afterward.
Featured - 'Ember', our latest off-grid passive-solar family home in Ballarat.
Designed by
Built by
Photos

23/06/2026

It can be a tough gig this architecture business. A lot of regulatory requirements and ongoing professional development to be able to stay abreast of a fast moving industry. Proud to once again meet the requirements to practice as and carry the title of architect.

22/06/2026

The timber slatted eaves lining is not just a decorative feature, its part of the passive roof ventilation system.
Warm moist air can and does accumalate inside the home, and unless dealt with will cause structural damage and mold growth over time. This is bad for the building and for human health.
Part of a good passive moisture and condensation mitigation strategy is to vent the roof space. Fresh air enters the lowest part of the roof and is exhausted out the though the ventilated ridge cap, bringing with it the stale moist air, and in Summer the very warm air that you do not want accumalating right above your home.
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18/06/2026

'Ember'. Our off-grid low-tech and hi-tech home 4km from the Ballarat CBD.
Using a mixture of energy sources to keep the home running year round with next to no operating costs.
The brickwork you see here for the chimney is actually double-skin, with a layer of insulation between. The result? Insulated interal thermal mass to absorb radiant heat from the wood-heater, AND the look of brick on the exterior.
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