Abodo® Presents / Passive House in Practice: From Build to Living

Passive House in Practice: From Build to Living

Synopsis: What does it really take to build a certified Passive House - and how does it perform once people are living in it?

The presentation will cover the realities of construction, including key technical considerations, cost implications, and lessons learned along the way. It will then look at post-occupancy performance, with a practical insight into comfort, health, indoor air quality, and the day-to-day experience of living in a high-performance home.

Learning outcomes:

• Evaluate the financial viability of Passive House construction by analysing capital costs, operational energy savings, lifecycle costs, and long-term asset value to inform investment and design decisions.
• Understand post-occupancy performance outcomes in Passive House buildings, including occupant comfort, indoor air quality, health and wellbeing, and the influence of building performance on everyday living.
• Identify and evaluate critical technical details that influence Passive House performance, including airtightness strategies, thermal bridge-free junction detailing, and high-performance window specification and installation.

Speaker BIO:

Matthew Carland | Director | Carland Constructions is a builder and Director of Carland Constructions, as well as co-host of The Mindful Builder Podcast. With a strong focus on high-performance homes, he brings both practical experience and a deeply personal perspective to the construction industry. Matt has delivered multiple certified Passive House projects, including both new builds and renovations, and lives in a Passive House himself. This combination of hands-on expertise and lived experience gives him a unique understanding of building performance, constructability, and occupant comfort. Passionate about improving industry standards, Matt is known for challenging conventional approaches and encouraging open conversation around better building practices.

He is committed to sharing knowledge rather than gatekeeping it, with the goal of helping elevate the quality of homes across the industry. Through The Mindful Builder Podcast, he explores topics ranging from building science and construction techniques to mental health in the industry, reflecting his broader interest in both technical excellence and the wellbeing of those working within it. Outside of work, Matt enjoys time with his family, follows AFL, appreciates a good TV series, and doesn’t mind a whisky, particularly during a Carlton game.

Steve Napier | Business Development Manager - Australia | Abodo With over 16 years of experience in the timber industry, Steve brings deep knowledge across all major timber species and key coating systems available in the market. He's had the privilege of working alongside some of Australia’s most respected architects, contributing to the detailing and specification of feature timber in high-profile projects. His passion lies in creating long-term, practical solutions that enhance timber performance and aesthetics. Enthusiastic and detail-oriented, Steve is committed to helping clients get the most out of their timber choices. 

Hosted by Teulo CPD platform on behalf of Abodo Wood. NZRAB: 10 CPD - 5 Documentation, 5 Design | Australian CPD: 1 Formal CPD | BC | Canada | USA: 1 Hour Structured Continuing Education (1 Learning Unit)

Abodo® creates New Growth™ feature timbers that rival old growth options, preserving the ancient forests the planet depends on. Crafted from rapidly renewable, sustainably managed forests, our timbers deliver the beauty, durability, and performance you need – without compromise.