Energy Efficient House Designs with Whisker Architecture
Sustainable, Healthy, and Beautiful Homes
What if your home could reflect your values, feel calm and comfortable year-round, and tread lightly on the planet?
Imagine a home that…
Stays naturally cool in summer and warm in winter - without high energy bills.
Fills your space with natural light and fresh air - without wasting resources.
Seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor living - for a healthier, more open environment.
Uses premium, sustainable materials - designed to last for generations.
Your home is more than just walls and a roof. It's a place full of memories, peace, and happiness. Your home should reflect your values, your lifestyle, enhance your well-being, and offer the perfect balance of functionality, beauty, and sustainability.
At Whisker Architecture, we design homes that are not just visually stunning but also designed for energy efficiency. Our expertise in energy-efficient house design supports your vision for lower energy bills, a reduced environmental impact, and comfortable living year-round. We believe that a well-designed home should not only look beautiful but also function efficiently.
Pascoe Vale Bungalow Reborn, Live [in] Your Values
Why Clients Choose Whisker Architecture for Energy-Efficient Design
Expertise in Energy-Efficient Design
Our designs seamlessly integrate energy efficiency, block orientation, and natural light to reduce reliance on artificial heating and cooling. Every new home we design is optimised for energy usage, ensuring maximum comfort with minimal running costs. By taking advantage of the sun's movement, cross-ventilation, and well-insulated building materials, we create homes that naturally regulate temperature throughout the year.
Sustainable and Renewable Solutions
We incorporate renewable energy systems, and energy-efficient appliances to help you save energy and lower electricity bills. Our focus is on adding sustainable architectural features that not only reduce home energy use but also contribute to a cleaner environment. With government incentives for energy-efficient home designs, now is the best time to make the switch to an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Personalised, Client-Focused Approach
We listen to your needs, aligning our designs with your lifestyle. Our transparent, fixed-fee structure means no hidden costs, just a good design that meets and exceeds minimum energy efficiency standards. Every project is approached with attention to detail, ensuring that our home designs are practical, functional, and visually stunning.
Compliance with Australian Standards
We stay up to date with the latest regulations, including the National Construction Code, ensuring that the energy-efficient homes we design comply with local requirements and exceeds the industry standard. Our experts will guide you through the process of achieving a high energy efficiency rating (whether that be NatHERS or Passive House), ensuring your home is as efficient as possible.
What We Offer: Innovative Designs for Every Lifestyle
Custom Energy-Efficient Home Designs
Our custom home designs focus on high energy ratings, using premium building materials, insulation, and lighting to create spaces that feel naturally comfortable all year round. Our house plans are designed to be adaptable, ensuring that your home suits different climates and changing lifestyle needs.
Renovations & Extensions
Upgrade your home with smart designs that save energy! We add features like efficient hot water systems, energy-saving appliances, and high-performance windows. Many homes in Australia lack proper insulation, leading to high electricity bills. Our renovation services turn older houses into energy-efficient homes, helping you save money while staying comfortable year-round.
Sustainable Interior Design
Our interior design approach balances aesthetics with function, using natural materials, low-tox finishes, and passive comfort strategies to enhance everyday wellbeing. Sustainable interiors are spaces that function well and survive the test of time - including the turning wheel of fashion cycles.
Energy Assessments & Compliance
Our expert energy assessors make it easy to ensure your home meets national construction code requirements and achieves top energy ratings. We guide you every step of the way in obtaining energy efficiency certifications so your home isn't just compliant—it's a smart, sustainable space designed for comfort and savings.
Renovation Case Study
Existing Home: 2.2 stars
Option 1 - Star rating: 4.3 stars
- R6.0 to the ceiling
- No insulation to walls / floor
- Timber windows to North and South, uPVC to remainder
Option 2 - Star rating: 4.6 stars
- R6.0 to the ceiling
- R2.5 to the floor
- No insulation to walls
- Timber windows to North and South, uPVC to remainder
Option 3 - Star rating: 6.7 stars
- R6.0 to the ceiling
- No insulation to the floors
- R2.5 to walls
- Timber windows to North and South, uPVC to remainder
Option 4 - Star rating: 7.2 stars
- R6.0 to the ceiling
- R2.5 to the floor
- R2.5 to walls (e.g. https://enviroflex.com.au/wall-insulation/ )
- Timber windows to North and South, uPVC to remainder
For this project we chose to proceed with Option 3 as there wasn’t enough room under the floor to install insulation.
How We Design for Performance
Clever House Plans & Orientation
Strategic block orientation maximises winter sun exposure and natural ventilation, reducing energy use while maintaining comfort. Our carefully planned house designs make the most of the natural elements, allowing your home to stay cool in summer and warm in winter without excessive energy consumption.
High-Performance Building Materials
From insulation to thermal mass, we use top-tier materials that regulate indoor temperature and enhance home energy use efficiency. We consider factors such as local climate, different climates, and environmental impact to choose the best building materials for each project.
Renewable Energy Integration
Incorporating solar panels and batteries reduces dependency on grid electricity and helps you minimise your energy bills. Whether you're looking to install a full solar power system or just supplement your home with energy-efficient appliances, we can help tailor a solution that suits your needs and budget.
Energy-Efficient Appliances & Lighting
We recommend energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and smart home systems to help you lower your anticipated electricity bills. The right appliances can make a huge difference in reducing overall energy use, from heating and cooling to cooking and laundry.
Many blocks in Melbourne are covered by a Heritage Overlay. It’s important to understand the thermal implications of needing to keep an older part of the home and not let that compromise your health or comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A: Energy-efficient homes are more comfortable to live in, cost less to run, and have a smaller impact on the environment. By designing with the sun, site, and seasons in mind, we create spaces that naturally regulate temperature and reduce your reliance on artificial heating and cooling. The result? A home that feels good to live in every day — and supports your long-term goals for sustainability and wellbeing.
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A: Absolutely. Many homes in Australia weren’t designed with energy efficiency in mind — but there are smart, cost-effective ways to improve comfort and performance. Through thoughtful renovations, we can upgrade insulation, improve ventilation, replace inefficient systems, and rework your layout to better suit how you live today. It all starts with understanding your home’s limitations and what’s realistically achievable within your budget.
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A: A great place to start is our Home Masterplan Report. It gives you clarity from day one — outlining what’s possible on your site, how your brief and budget align, and which design strategies will help reduce energy use while enhancing your lifestyle. If you're not sure where to begin, we also offer a free 20-minute Clarity Call to discuss your goals and recommend your next best step.
Live [in] Your Values – Start Your Sustainable Home Journey Today
Building a home with energy efficiency in mind is a smart investment for both your lifestyle and the planet. Let's create a sustainable home that suits your vision and the local requirements of Australia.
Take the first step towards a sustainable, energy-efficient home today. Book your free 20-minute Clarity Call with Audrey today.
