East Coast Building Design

05/06/2026

One of my PassivHaus clients pointed me to "The Godfather of Building Science" north American Joseph Lsitburek. Everything he talks about here is exactly what the PassivHaus system does.

As Australian buildings get more airtight, and insulation gets better and better, we are actually making our houses far less healthy. We are trapping condensation and humidity which leads to Mould and toxins. We are making all of the same mistakes that the rest of the world has already learned from?

Not everybody needs or wants a fully certified PassivHaus but we do need to learn why a standard 7 star home built to the current standards is leading us towards unhealthy homes.

If you want to know more, please get in touch?

What happens when you make a building more energy efficient… but do...

12/03/2026

PassivHaus Biloela coming along very well now. cladding on, interior linings nearly complete. almost time for another blower door test?
when finished will likely be the first certified PassivHaus in a HOT climate in Australia. definitely a challenge for sure.

26/01/2026

is your house air-conditioned more than its not?
do you run air-conditioning 24 hours a day in summer?
are you worried about air quality? mould? CO2, allergies?

you probably need an HRV system installed.
these units deliver fresh, filtered air to every room 24/7 and recover the coolth from your airconditioning at min 90% efficiency?

A modern well built home with a recirculating air-conditioner will result in high CO2 levels well above the WHO recommendations?
what is your health worth?

26/01/2026

PassivHaus Mt Crosby shaping up very well, passing first blower door test at 0.32 ach which is amazing for a first time PassivHaus builder. Well Done Mick from Complete Concept Constructions.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562251812889

https://www.facebook.com/passivehousebrisbane

09/06/2022

An excellent article comparing the cost of passive house to similar premium built low energy homes. PassivHaus is not only cheaper but far more healthy to live in.
https://www.envirotecture.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Passivhaus-Whats-it-worth-1.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3KudNDc9nhHgJZyelko7UQ1ktHcC9Ve2lQzXJRH1iciLGvmLYAl6NzkZ4

05/03/2022

Not my content, but from what I’ve read, it seems correct.
Vinegar works for us 100% and it’s very cheap.

☔️⚠️I AM RE-SHARING THIS : ☔️⚠️

As a qualified building biologist, I offer the following tips:
If you're cleaning after flooding:

Remember if your furniture is wet:
Metal, glass, ceramic, etc: clean w soap & water, dry in sun
Real timber: vinegar (70%) & water (30%), soap & water), dry in sun
MDF, chipboard, soaked cushions/ mattresses etc: chuck it out
Leather: vinegar (70%) & water (30%), then leather conditioner, dry in sun
Clothes, soft furnishings, curtains, etc: washing machine on hottest setting, detergent + at least 1 cup of vinegar, you guessed it, dry in sun (check your fabric's washing instructions too)

Don't use bleach on mould: use vinegar & water (70/30) or alcohol (metho is fine, adequate ventilation) & water (80/20), dry in sun

Ordinary dishwashing liquid apparently has good anti bacterial, that, hot water, and sun, are your friends.

Don't forget your ppe: rubber gloves, closed in shoes, and face masks!

Stay out of flood waters, and if you can't see the ground, don't walk on it. Lift properly, stay safe ❤

Pauline Ferguson- building biologist
Feel free to share

21/06/2021

You get what you pay for?
In the design world, cheaping out on plans will cost you in the construction phase, opening you up to variations and under-priced contracts.

30/05/2021

And so the next chapter begins.
Please like our sister page Passive House Brisbane

09/01/2021

new home office nearly complete.

06/01/2021

Please go on over and like our sister page. Passive House Brisbane.
New direction after 32 years in the business.
https://www.facebook.com/passivehousebrisbane/

Passive House Brisbane is a newly formed business by Owen Batchelor of East Coast Building Design, established for 30 years, now specializing in passive house design in the sub-tropics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_house