The newly completed villa at The Grove marks a pilot effort to test how ultra–energy-efficient housing design can be adapted for older residents.

“The Passive House at The Grove is the first of its kind in an Australian retirement village, and we are excited to bring it to market,” Chief Executive Nathan Cockerill says.

He describes the project primarily as a learning exercise aimed at evaluating how Passive House principles could improve comfort, efficiency, and long-term performance in retirement housing.

The open home event drew builders, academics, sustainability experts and prospective residents, many of whom focused on the home’s practical advantages: improved air quality, stable indoor temperatures, and lower energy consumption.

“These are features that can meaningfully improve how older Australians live,” Cockerill says. “We’re exploring how elements of this design can be applied in future developments.”

Passive House construction emphasizes airtight building envelopes, high-performance insulation, triple-glazed windows, and mechanical ventilation systems that recover heat — all designed to minimise energy use while maintaining indoor comfort.

Keyton says the project is part of a broader push to integrate sustainability and resident well-being into its communities. The company is assessing which design elements can be scaled cost-effectively across future developments.

“It’s about taking the best of Passive House thinking and applying it in a way that supports healthy and confident aging — while also reducing energy bills,” Cockerill says.

The villa is part of a wider redevelopment of The Grove, which also includes upgrades to the Gold Creek Homestead and a planned aged care facility to be operated by Arcare.

“The project reinforces our commitment to innovative housing that enhances health, comfort and long-term well-being,” Cockerill says.

The Grove Ngunnawal will be the lead case study at the Australian Passivhaus Association's 2026 THRIVE Conference in Melbourne on the 25-26 June.

Image: Supplied

Architecture & Design Team

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