Sharing what I’ve learned across hundreds of projects is how Cooee creates regional impact beyond individual commissions.
Start with my book.
I wrote this book to help students and graduates of architecture to bridge the gap between study and practice, but it has also struck a chord with DIYers and interested members of the public.
It covers the basics of construction, legislation, energy-efficient design, and project process in the Australian context.
I also welcome you to join my quarterly newsletter list which shares the most up to date information and resources. Sign up here.
Functional Farmhouses; 8 Design Tips
Compared with urban homes, rural builds come with particular design opportunities and challenges.
10 Tips for a Climate Defensive Home
Climate change demands that our homes go beyond sustainability to actively defend against environmental challenges, such as extreme weather, resource scarcity and changing lifestyles.
Build Insite; My expert interview
Solar Passive vs Passivhaus, double-glazing vs triple-glazing, and the data on other comparisons I see homeowners struggle with.
Star Ratings; The myths, the madness, the magic
NatHERS, BASIX, Whole of Home, Scorecard and Passivhaus - compare systems, common misconceptions, and how to use each of them for your home.
Beat The Heat; 6 Cool Cost-Effective Tips
Easy tips to get the most out of your home in a heatwave, and some common mistakes people make.
Energy, Bushfire and Budget: Where are the overlapping wins?
Key tactics for designing an energy-efficient, bushfire-resisting home on a budget.
How to Thermally Optimise Your Design
Steps for working with an energy-assessor to optimise your home - the ‘sweet spots’ might surprise you.
Recent Podcasts and Videos
I’ve been busy sharing all I know about energy-efficient, low-carbon, resilient homes in these podcasts and videos.
Design for Bushfire Defence
A list of things to include in the design of your home to aid active bushfire defence, if the need ever arises.
Star Rating Misconceptions
There are some common misconceptions about energy-efficiency standards in Australia, especially when it comes to star ratings.
Condensation
If condensation forms in wall, roof or floor cavities it can lead to serious mould issues, ineffective insulation, and structural damage.
The Elephant in the Room: House Size
There’s something we need to talk about, and it’s going to make some of us feel a little bit uncomfortable. We need to talk about house size in Australia.
Bushfire Prone Areas
Design for bushfire prone areas needs to be an integrated part of the design process, rather than tacked on requirements at the end.
Thermal Mass
Thermal mass is like a built-in battery to increase your comfort all year round
Solar Passive Design - How it Works
Design for orientation means free heating in winter, and drastically reduced cooling requirements in summer.
Air Leakage and Ventilation
Draft-sealing is the single most cost-effective way to reduce energy bills and experience increased comfort.
Insulation and R-Values
A balanced and optimised ‘whole of house’ approach is required for effective insulation.
