Not everyone’s talking about passive design, air tightness, or thermal bridging over a beer but for those who are working developing the future built environment and the next generation of Australian homes, it’s starting to matter.

More and more Aussie builders are leaning into a new way of thinking about homes, not just how they look or how fast you can put them up but how they feel to live in. Comfortable. Quiet. Dry. With fresh air and low running costs.

They call it the “healthy home” movement, and while it might sound a bit like a buzzword (no, we’re not just writing this for clickbait!), it’s got real legs.

On this morning’s episode of The Good Builder podcast, the crew chatted about how a growing number of builders, especially in the custom and architectural space are changing the way they think about homes.

Forget just ticking code boxes. These builds are going a step further. In essence, this is what we’re talking about:

• More insulation in walls, floors, and roofs
  
• Airtight construction to reduce drafts and improve thermal control
  
• Passive design principles to cut energy use
  
• Ventilation and air purification systems
  
• Smarter material choices that support wellbeing.

Now, once we get past those more obvious considerations, some builders start talking about throwing in a sauna or an ice bath to really up the health benefits. These lifestyle essentials also start making a lot of sense if you’re a fan of the Huberman lab podcast that we chatted about last week.

“There’s a massive shift towards [healthy homes] across the industry…”

“Some builders are putting in things like ice baths and saunas, but also looking at material choices,” said Az on the pod.

It’s all about delivering a home that supports how people feel, not just what it costs or how many bedrooms it has.

Should builders be paying attention?

You might not hear the words “healthy home” in the National Construction Code, but the foundations are there. Ventilation, insulation, thermal comfort, moisture control, and even natural light. The 2022 NCC updates actually back a lot of what builders are already trying to do when they talk about better air, more comfortable homes, and lower running costs. It’s not some fringe idea. It’s already baked into how we’re meant to build, and there’s plenty of room to go above and beyond if you want to stand out.

Healthy homes aren’t just about comfort. They’re about performance and value.

Buyers are wising up to the benefits:

• Lower energy bills
  
• Fewer issues with mould or damp
  
• Better sleep and overall well-being
  
• Long-term savings through higher build quality.

Builders like Duayne Pearce in Queensland are among many becoming known for this, and others like Lowe Living and Clover Homes are starting to market their homes with health and comfort front and centre.

“The movement with passive houses is huge… even though it’s hard to meet that standard, we’re seeing traction at all levels under it,” the boys pointed out.

You don’t have to go full Passive House to make a difference. Adding performance glazing, increasing R-values, and reducing thermal bridging are all part of the shift.

​If you’d like to explore going down the full Passive House route, builders like Carland Constructions are actively championing Passive House principles on their Instagram. They showcase a commitment to sustainable building practices, featuring architecturally striking Passive House designs that emphasise energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

What do we know?

According to the Australian Building Codes Board, national energy efficiency targets are tightening. The move to a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating in 2023 across most states was just the start.

At the same time, the CSIRO reports that about 30% of Aussie homes have some form of condensation or mould issue, usually linked to poor ventilation and insulation. New builds compliant with the NCC should be on top of this!

So whether it’s by regulation or buyer expectation, builders are moving at pace with client expectations.

Good builders take ventilation, air purification, and mould management seriously. It’s about building for better air quality and comfort, not just code.

The TGB Take?

Healthy homes aren’t cheap to build. That’s the reality.

“Look, it is an expensive way to build, but there’s long-term saving…”

“There are also healthier lifestyles on the other side of it,” Pete said on the pod.

The challenge is striking the balance. Not every buyer wants to pay extra for features they can’t see, and not every builder can absorb those costs in a tight market.

That said, as demand grows and marketing shifts, there’s a chance to stand out.

You don’t have to rebuild your business overnight. Start by:

• Talking to your suppliers about better-performing materials
  
• Considering air tightness and moisture control in your design
  
• When sharing what you’re already doing with clients, don’t assume they know.
  
• Asking questions: What does a “healthy” home mean to your customer?

You might not build to Passive House standards.

That’s fine.

Most don’t.

If you’re already thinking about comfort, materials, and performance, you’re part of the shift. Don’t worry if you’re still not sure what we’re talking about; we’ll cover more on Passive House at a later stage.

Author: Jonathan Tibbits

Starting his career as a lawyer, Jonathan transitioned into project management, compliance, and certification for companies throughout the industry supply chain in Australia and New Zealand. With international experience in green building, sustainability and stakeholder communication, he is passionate about innovation and building transparency and trust.