High-performance building is not just about premium products. It is about the system. In this episode, we sit down with Sven Maxa from Maxa Design to unpack what Passive House building really looks like behind the scenes, from airtightness targets to the practical realities of delivering high-performance homes on site.

This conversation flips the usual format, with Sven taking the lead and putting us (Hamish and Matt) in the hot seat. We get into the details that actually make or break a Passive House project, including airtightness testing, verification, contract clarity, and what happens when documentation looks great in renders but does not hold up on a building site.

A major theme is collaboration between the architect, designer, builder, and trades. Passive House and building science only works when the whole team is aligned early, with transparent cost planning, clear communication, and strong documentation to avoid rework, delays, and budget blowouts.

We wrap by looking at what needs to change in the Australian construction industry to lift standards at scale. Better legislation, better education, and a stronger baseline for residential construction.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Introduction

02:18 Meet the Sponsors - Proclima

03:05 Builder's Perspective on Passive House Contracts

06:39 High Performance Homes: Products vs. Systems

14:48 The Importance of Collaboration in Construction

23:20 Challenges in Project Costing and Documentation

36:51 Feasibility Studies and Square Meter Rates

40:13 Site Inspections and Builder Reactions

41:07 Quality Control on Site Visits

41:57 Site Meeting Schedules and Coordination

43:06 Importance of Passive House Principles

44:50 Challenges in Australian Building Practices

48:54 Air Tightness and Building Performance

56:45 Biggest Mistakes and Lessons Learned

01:03:38 Favourite Projects and Memorable Builds

01:13:43 Future of Residential Construction

01:20:46 Mindful Moments for Apprentices

LINKS:

Connect with Sven:

Maxa Design

Our Sponsors:

Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod

Connect with Hamish:

Instagram: @sanctumhomes

Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

Connect with Matt:

Instagram: @carlandconstructions

Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks to Proclima for sponsoring this podcast

Visit www.proclima.com.au to find out more