Everyone’s saying “healthy homes”. But what are they really building?
You’ve seen it on signs, brochures and social media: Healthy Home. Sustainable Build. Designed for Wellbeing.
But when we spoke to builders actually doing the work, the message was clear:
Healthy homes are more than a marketing tagline. And they definitely aren’t just code compliant.
Let’s unpack what builders on the ground say it really means.
“A healthy home isn’t sealed shut with plastic”
Duayne Pearce has built everything from award-winning custom homes to Passive House level projects. He’s trained in the method and has serious concerns.
“So much plastic, so many toxins, so much mechanical intervention,” Duayne said on The Good Builder podcast. “You’re building a sealed box but are you building a healthy life?”
His wake-up call came during a Passive House course. It ticked the energy efficiency boxes but raised red flags on material toxicity and mechanical dependence.
“You’re locking a house up and relying on machines for it to breathe,” he said. “That filtered air might test well, but it doesn’t support the immune system long term.”
For Duayne, a healthy home reflects the natural world: sunlight, airflow, tactile materials, and space to move and breathe.
“Your house should feel like a holiday. Not a sealed lab.”
“You’ve got to enjoy living there”
Brisbane builder Jared from Redkem Constructions is on a similar mission. He’s deep into the world of high performance, low tox housing and says the industry still doesn’t get it.
“It’s about orientation, materials, thermal performance but also the mindset of care,” he told The Good Builder podcast.
Jared’s building his first 10 star energy rated home this year. Breathable wall systems, smart glazing, and non toxic finishes are all part of it. But he’s wary of assuming Passive House principles guarantee wellness.
“We need to ask: are we creating homes people can live in long term without being dependent on machines?”
The airtightness of Passive House can mean relying entirely on mechanical ventilation. If that system’s not maintained or the materials used off gas, the result can be worse than a conventional home.
Instead, Jared leans into build quality and builder mindset.
“We train our apprentices to think about the next trade. That mentality flows right through to the finished product. Healthy homes are built by healthy teams.”
Passive House: Is it healthy or just high performing?
Let’s be clear. Passive House design can create incredibly efficient buildings. When done right, they hold temperature well, use less energy and reduce running costs.
But as Duayne and Jared highlight, there are caveats:
- Material toxicity: Many Passive House builds still rely on synthetic wraps, foam insulation, and glues that off gas VOCs
- Mechanical reliance: Ventilation is handled by HRV or ERV systems. If they fail or aren’t maintained, stale air and moisture can build up fast
- Reduced immune resilience: As Duayne notes, constantly filtered air may reduce the body’s natural resilience to everyday bacteria and allergens
Healthy homes need to go beyond the spreadsheet. They should reconnect us with nature, not cut us off from it.
What actually makes a home healthy?
This is where building biology enters the chat. It’s not just about structure. It’s about how a home supports life inside it.
Builders working in this space focus on:
- Low VOC materials: Minimising off gassing from paints, sealants and adhesives
- Breathable wall systems: Using materials that allow moisture to escape naturally
- Smart orientation and shading: Passive design for comfort and energy use
- Natural timber and finishes: Less processing, more connection to nature
- Site specific design: Factoring in landscape, drainage, airflow and sun paths
- Client lifestyle: Building for how people actually live, not just what rates on paper
“To me, a healthy home reflects how we were meant to live,” Duayne said. “Natural light, fresh air, safe materials. It all adds up.”
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being honest.
The builders we spoke to aren’t chasing perfection. They’re chasing better outcomes.
As Jared said:
“You can’t rely on product certifications and assume the job’s done. It comes down to how we build and how much we care.”
And as Duayne put it:
“You don’t need a massive house. You need one that feels good to be in. That’s the new luxury.”
Call to Action
We want your take.
If you’re building, designing or supplying for healthier homes, tell us what that means to you.
Are you moving away from foam? Rethinking wrap? Using breathable bricks or natural paints?
Send us your definition of a healthy home and we’ll include it in a follow-up piece. No fluff, no filter. Just builders helping builders get better.
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