Keyton pilots a new standard for energy-efficient village living

The Grove retirement village in Ngunnawal, a suburb in the district of Gungahlin in Canberra, is a pilot for what Keyton says is the first Passive House in a retirement village. 

The Passive House, developed in Germany in the 1990s, is a design standard that achieves thermal comfort with minimal heating and cooling by using insulation, airtightness, appropriate window and door design, ventilation systems with heat recovery, and elimination of thermal bridges. 

Keyton’s Head of Safety, Sustainability and Wellbeing, Kara Pisani, said the initiative is not only about delivering a high-performing home, but also about learning and evolving. 

“Homes built to the Passive House standard provide significant health and wellbeing benefits to the occupants,” she said.  

“This pilot project gives us the opportunity to learn about the build process, monitor how the home performs, and partner with the resident to understand how living in it impacts their lives. These insights will help us improve comfort and liveability in future developments.” 

Passive Houses maintain a stable ambient temperature of 18°C to 25°C year-round, which is ideal for older people according to the World Health Organisation, stated the retirement village operator.  

This helps safeguard against health risks associated with colder temperatures, such as respiratory and cardiovascular issues, immune system problems and joint pain.