When you sit down with someone like Anthony Jenkin, founder of Outlier, it doesn’t take long before you realise you’re not just talking about design, you’re talking about the future of how homes should be built.
Anthony’s journey into building wasn’t a straight line. He started out swinging a hammer as a carpenter in the volume space, detoured into skate park design and construction (yes, you read that right), and eventually found his way into residential design. But what makes Anthony’s story compelling is that he didn’t just want to design homes that look good on paper – he wanted to create homes that actually perform.
That’s where Outlier comes in.
Passive House vs Passive Solar: What’s the Difference?
On the podcast, Anthony broke down a confusion many builders and homeowners have, the difference between passive solar and Passive House.
- Passive solar is all about principles, orientating to the north, capturing winter sun, cross-breezes, thermal mass. It’s a smart design.
- Passive House is a strict building standard. There’s no sliding scale, just a pass/fail based on rigorous testing like blower door results. It’s not just theory, it’s verified during the build.
And that’s where Anthony’s passion shines. He’s not content with drawings that promise six-star energy ratings on paper but deliver far less in reality. Outlier tests homes as they’re built, thermal imaging, blower doors, even pre-plaster scans, to make sure performance matches the promise.
Why “Healthy Homes” Matter
The word healthy gets thrown around a lot in marketing, but Anthony is quick to point out it’s not a throwaway line. Poorly built homes can lead to mould, dampness, poor air quality, and in the long run, serious health issues.
We’ve all seen it: brand new homes with condensation problems, wall cavities full of mould, or insulation slapped in haphazardly. As Anthony says:
“It’s okay to expect that your home isn’t going to make you sick.”
Sounds simple, but in practice? That’s a big challenge for an industry still stuck at the “minimum code” level.
Outlier, Panelhaus, and Flexihouse – A Vertical Stack for Change
Anthony isn’t just talking about design. He’s built an ecosystem of businesses tackling different sides of the problem.
- Outlier: The design arm. High-performance, durable homes designed for comfort and health.
- Panelhaus: Prefabricated SIPs (structural insulated panels) imported from Europe, allowing homes to go up in days rather than months. These panels lock in insulation quality for the lifespan of the home and reduce errors on site.
- Flexihouse: A pathway to more flexible, affordable housing solutions.
In practice, that means a 60sqm home can be completed turnkey in six and a half weeks. Compare that to the 12–18 months many builders are facing now.
So why aren’t more governments and banks pushing this kind of innovation? Anthony points to the finance system: prefabrication requires more money upfront, which lenders see as high-risk. CBA has started exploring solutions, but for now, consumers and developers with cash are leading the way.
Thermal Performance Tips Every Builder Should Know
Anthony gave away some gold on the podcast – practical, low-cost ways builders can lift thermal performance right now:
- Tape your wall wraps: Don’t just throw them up. Seal them to the top plate and junctions.
- Insulate around window reveals: Expansion foam around openings makes a big difference.
- Raise truss heels: Allows ceiling insulation to run unbroken to the outside wall.
- Insulate frame junctions: Those uninsulated pockets can reduce efficiency by up to 50%.
- Add slab-edge insulation in colder climates.
- Continuous ventilation: Even a quiet DC exhaust fan running 24/7 can help manage humidity.
None of these are bank-breaking. But across a whole build, they add up to a healthier, higher-performing home.
The Cost of Going Passive
So, what’s the price tag? Anthony shared an independent analysis: upgrading from code-minimum to certified Passive House in a colder climate could add around 34% to the build cost.
That’s a big jump, but here’s the counterpoint, what’s the cost of poor health, skyrocketing energy bills, or rectifying mould and condensation damage down the track?
For clients planning to live in their home long-term, the investment makes sense. As Anthony put it, Outlier wants clients who see themselves as custodians, building homes designed to last 100 years, not just until the next renovation cycle.
A Builder’s Role in the Process
One of Outlier’s smartest moves has been involving builders early in the design process. By bringing construction smarts in at concept stage, they can value-manage designs, avoid costly redraws, and ensure the final outcome matches the budget.
It’s a small shift in mindset but one that saves time, money, and headaches.
The Next Generation of Builders
What excites Anthony most is the new wave of builders entering the market. They’re open-minded, collaborative, and hungry to learn. They’re not afraid to talk about what they don’t know and that vulnerability is driving better outcomes for clients.
Pair that with more educated consumers demanding healthier homes, and you’ve got the ingredients for change – even if government reform is dragging its heels.
The TGB Take
Talking to Anthony, one thing is clear: this isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about rethinking what “good” looks like in Australian homes.
- Healthy homes aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity.
- Prefabrication and testing aren’t fringe ideas, they’re proven solutions that need mainstream adoption.
- Builders and designers working together early can prevent problems before they start.
Outlier lives up to its name – a business sitting outside the norm, pushing the industry toward something better. And from what we can see, the industry needs a lot more outliers.
Listen to the full podcast with Anthony Jenkin
Catch the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
0 Comments