Verdigris Energy

7-Star NatHERS & BASIX Compliance for High End Architecture in NSW

DFJ Architects

Services

NatHERS NatHERS
NatHERS

7-Star, National House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) compliance, specialising in high end, architectural homes.

BASIX BASIX
BASIX

New South Wales, Building Sustainability Index (BASIX), water and energy efficiency assessments for Class 1 and Class 2 dwellings.

Passive Thermal Design Consultancy Passive Thermal Design Consultancy
Passive Thermal Design Consultancy

Assisting you to combine traditional, high end architectural design elements with passive, thermal design for creative flexibility in the current 7-star regulatory environment.

My vision

Woodward Architects - Luke Shadbolt Photographer

I have a passion for passive, thermal design and with a background in engineering, I understand heat transfer and the physics around controlling it. My vision is to synergise passive, thermal design, energy consumption and energy generation in residential dwellings, while simultaneously maintaining the architectural integrity of each project, keeping costs low, and ensuring hassle free compliance.

With over thirteen years of experience in NatHERS and BASIX compliance, I have managed developments as large as multi-residential towers for Mirvac, and Meriton, to backyard Granny flats and everything in between. The most interesting, rewarding and challenging projects for me however, have always been high end, architectural homes and these are now my speciality. I have been working exclusively on high end architecture for the past 8 years.

High end architecture tends to exhibit large, elaborate floor plans, extensive glazing, orientation favouring views, and aesthetics that demand no compromise on surface finishes. All of these can be detrimental to the thermal performance of the dwelling and thus it takes a thorough understanding of, and experience in, passive, thermal design to be able to achieve a 7-star NatHERS performance within such limitations.

My Priorities

The most important objective is to ensure that your design and the final built product meets regulatory compliance, and that your certifying authority has no issues or concerns with the relevant assessments.

Achieve Hassle Free Compliance

I may be an engineer, but I understand that for architects, their homes are like their children and that thermal performance is but one element of many that make up the identity of the dwelling. I prefer to consult during the design phase, and find a purely technical solution rather than propose glazing reductions or floor plan changes where possible.

Maintain the Integrity of The Design

My approach is to encourage good design principles, maximise thermal mass and insulation, and only specify glazing performance as a final step. This way, you retain maximum flexibility when selecting your preferred glazing and minimise the associated costs with one of the most expensive elements in a new dwelling.

Keep Costs Low for Clients

Woodward Architects - Luke Shadbolt Photographer

DFJ Architects

Woodward Architects - Luke Shadbolt Photographer

Testimonials

“We have exclusively worked with Ella since having her be recommended by a colleague in Sydney. She is a brilliant energy design consultant - collaborative, engaged, thoughtful, creative AND pragmatic.

The passive design of our projects has improved since working with her, as has our compliance with the ever changing standards we are expected to meet.”

— Dominic Finlay-Jones, Director, DFJ Architects, Byron Bay

“Our studio has worked with Ella since 2018 to complete environmental BASIX & NatHERS assessments on Alterations and Additions to existing residences, as well as new residences. Ella is our go to environmental consultant who is a delight to work with.

Her knowledge and expertise is of great contribution to our work, as she orchestrates design adjustments in order to achieve compliance within the ever evolving legislative landscape. We have no hesitation in recommending Ella to our client base.”

— Matthew Woodward, Principal Architect, Woodward Architects, Sydney

“My only reluctance in referring others to Ella is that I don’t want her to get too busy to work on new projects with me! Ella was referred to me by a colleague who said she was terrific to work with. He was right. Ella is professional, friendly, clearly spoken and pragmatic. Everything you’d want from an Energy Consultant. She listens carefully to the brief and constraints and provides balanced advice.”

— Phillip Arnold, Nominated Architect, Plus Minus Design, Sydney

Are You Wondering?

  • I provide BASIX certificates for small-scale multi-residential, new homes, and alterations and additions.

    I also provide NatHERS certificates for BASIX compliance, referred to as the “simulation method” within the thermal comfort section.

  • I only conduct NatHERS and BASIX assessments for Class 1 and Class 2, residential developments.

  • While NatHERS is a national compliance framework recognised by the National Construction Code (NCC), I only conduct assessments on developments within the state of New South Wales and subject to BASIX compliance.

    In the past few years, different states and territories have adopted non-standardised approaches to star ratings and compliance pathways, making it difficult to keep abreast of the current legislative requirements throughout Australia. I therefore chose to specialise in my home state of New South Wales exclusively.

  • BASIX is a compliance framework that has been specifically designed to allow owner/builders to be able to complete without any formal training or experience. Due to this, BASIX is a fairly simplistic tool, which leads to limitations for thermal comfort compliance.

    Firstly, in all but the most simple building designs, the Do It Yourself (DIY) BASIX tool can lead to a poorly optimised, and inflexible outcomes.

    Secondly, for building designs that include specific complexities, including multi-residential developments, the DIY tool is ineligible for use, and an alternative assessment pathway must be sought.

    Lastly, the BASIX website does a poor job at explaining the protocols for inclusions, measurements and requirements, and this is where an experienced assessor can ensure your final BASIX certificate is complete and correct.

  • I have a bachelor’s degree in Renewable Energy Engineering from the University of New South Wales, as well as the requisite Certificate IV in NatHERS Assessment.

    I am an accredited NatHERS assessor through the Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA) with Australian Building Sustainability Accreditation (ABSA). I am also a certified Passive House consultant.

    I am a registered sole-trader with an ABN and all of my work is covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance (PI) as required by law.

  • Each job is quoted individually with the price being largely determined by the scope and complexity of the proposed design.

    A flat fee is provided for the BASIX assessment itself, and the creation of the initial NatHERS computer model.

    In the event that the design is not meeting thermal comfort compliance, hourly rates are charged for the analysis and assessment of thermal comfort upgrades.

    A flat fee is also charged for design and development meetings which are encouraged during the preliminary design phase of the project, in order to minimise the time spent assessing, and the impact of, thermal comfort upgrades.

Contact

If you would like to discuss the thermal comfort and efficiency compliance requirements for your next project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.