The Hütt 01 Passivhaus: A Regenerative CLT Family Home and Urban Beacon
Located in a quiet laneway near the heart of Coburg, Melbourne, The Hütt 01 Passivhaus by Melbourne Design Studios (MDS) is more than just a high-performance residential build — it is a powerful prototype for regenerative living in Australia’s urban centres. Sitting on the Traditional Lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Eastern Kulin Nation, this project transforms a disused site into a self-sustaining urban oasis.
Combining Passivhaus Premium certification, biophilic principles, and prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction, the home reflects the ambitions of its architect-owners Felicity Bernstein and Marc Bernstein-Hussmann, who designed it for their family and broader legacy. The home was also featured on Grand Designs Australia, revealing its construction journey and aspirations.
We spoke with the team behind The Hütt 01 to delve into the thinking, systems and lived experience that make this home an exemplar of sustainable urban densification and a model for climate-conscious living.
Published with bowerbird
photography by Oltra Creative and Marnie Hawson
What was the vision behind designing your own family home?
Marc Bernstein-Hussmann:
We set ourselves a high benchmark — to design a luxurious, regenerative home that was carbon zero, comfortable year-round without active heating or cooling, and rich in both fun and functionality. We wanted a family home that could also work for different life stages — equally suited to young children, teenagers, and later, empty nesters or professionals.
Our architectural ambition was to craft a calm, timeless structure, grounded in nature and sustainability. We used prefabricated CLT panels, recycled and low-toxicity materials, and high-performance building envelopes. Ultimately, we wanted to leave the world a little better through our design choices.
How does the design improve the way you live and connect as a family?
Felicity Bernstein:
The spatial layout encourages interaction, balance and wellbeing. There’s a strong interplay between indoor and outdoor life, with natural light and biophilic elements throughout — from internal green walls to ponds and gardens.
The sunken lounge becomes the social heart for movie nights or games, while the open-plan kitchen seamlessly connects to the outdoor space, making entertaining and daily routines more enjoyable. Playfulness is woven in — from giant nets for lounging and play, to hidden cabinets and a treehouse — giving the home a joyful, adaptable quality.
What attracted you to the site and how did you approach the context?
We were drawn to the site’s duality — urban infrastructure on one side, tranquillity and green space on the other. It felt like a blank canvas with massive potential for something regenerative.
Despite being located next to a train line, we knew that high-performance materials and Passive House construction could make it peaceful inside. The laneway location also offered rare privacy and framed garden views across two levels without needing privacy screens. It’s a slice of serenity within walking distance of Coburg Central, parks, public transport, schools and markets.
What technologies and systems enable this to be a Passivhaus Premium?
The Hütt 01 uses an advanced prefabricated CLT panel system to create a draught-free, high-performance structure. It’s wrapped in natural wood-fibre insulation and fitted with triple-glazed Austrian windows. The result is a building envelope that is airtight, thermally efficient, and acoustically superior.
Key features include:
- Heat recovery ventilation for fresh, filtered indoor air
- Solar PV and battery system to generate and store energy
- Heat pump technology for water and appliances
- Green roofs and rain gardens that retain over 90% of stormwater
- Recycled and natural finishes throughout the interior
- Net-zero operational energy with an A++ LETI rating
Together, these systems eliminate the need for traditional heating or cooling and significantly reduce ongoing energy costs.
What aspects of the design bring you the most joy — and what will you miss most?
Felicity Bernstein:
Every feature was selected with thought and love, but for me, the kitchen stands out. With its full-height triple-glazed sliding doors, it feels like you’re cooking in the garden. Paired with Swiss V-ZUG appliances, cooking becomes a pleasure — even for those who don’t love it.
We’ll miss the comfort most: the consistent indoor temperatures, fresh filtered air, low bills, and sense of sanctuary. Watching our kids — and their friends — enjoy the house’s playful spaces, like the loft nets or secret hideouts, has been incredibly rewarding. The house offers wellness, sustainability and delight all at once.
How do you see this home influencing future housing in Australia?
Marc Bernstein-Hussmann:
The Hütt 01 proves that sustainable, zero-carbon homes are not only possible in Australia — they can be luxurious, joyful and compact enough to fit into dense urban environments.
By using prefabricated methods, we also demonstrate how construction can be faster, more precise, and less wasteful. If replicated, this approach could address housing challenges by offering regenerative densification near public transport and services.
This home is a case study, not just a residence. It shows that with the right priorities — comfort, performance, low impact — we can shift the housing paradigm toward a resilient, climate-positive future.
For more information about The Hütt 01 Passivhaus and other innovative prefab projects, visit prefabprojects.com.
