Transforming Our Approach: Unveiling the Altereco Journey towards Intentional and Truly Sustainable Design

In the past, we used to work with a wide range of clients, taking pride in our work, but sometimes lacking a deep connection with all of them. This prompted us to take a closer look at our values and gather as a team to create our own manual, a set of guidelines that truly mattered to us. We dedicated time to introspect and answer the fundamental question: "What's our why?"

This process allowed us to establish our own rule book for how we approach our work, and it has been a transformative shift at Altereco over the past few years. We aimed to align ourselves, so we're not simply caught on the hamster wheel, working for anyone and everyone. This was the catalyst that led us toward Passivhaus. Our entire team embraced this journey together, united by a shared vision.

Completing the Passivhaus course brought about a renewed sense of energy and purpose. It compelled us to create our own set of rules, standards, and details that would guide our design process. From the very beginning of a project, we changed the way we conceptualised a house. We modified the way we model buildings, our building assemblies, implemented a new mechanical design philosophy etc. Ultimately giving all projects the pathway towards a certified passive house - if our clients chose to - or at a bare minimum the knowledge that we’ve detailed a supremely energy efficiency, long lasting healthy home.

Hempcrete House, Central Victoria

Passive House, Melbourne

By adopting our own set of guidelines, we have redefined the way we approach our work and the clients we choose to do work for. This shift has breathed new life into our designs, infusing them with a heightened level of intentionality and sustainability. We will continue to evolve, embracing new ideas and new building methodologies to ensure that whatever we create will outlive us and contribute sustainably and functionally for its occupants and future generations.