Building physicists bring a fundamental understanding of physics to improving the design of building fabrics and surrounding spaces. 

Building physics is a design discipline. We start from the basics, an assessment of the site itself, the local climatic conditions and iteratively analyse for optimal orientation for solar gain and natural ventilation pathways. Our team of qualified engineers work closely with academics and industry researchers to keep in front of leading ideas and adapt these to our projects. 

From daylight and comfort through to performance solutions, moisture risk and future-climate scenario testing, this physics-led approach ensures clients can have confidence in the solutions proposed for both new and existing buildings.

• Bioclimatic, Site-Based Opportunities Assessments
• Building Energy & Emissions Modelling
• Parametric Modelling & Optimisation
• Adaptive Thermal Comfort Assessments
• External Comfort Modelling
• Daylight & Glare Modelling
• Thermal Bridging Assessments
• Carbon Emissions Modelling
• NCC Part F Performance Solutions (Light)
• NCC Part F Performance Solutions (Ventilation)
• NCC Spec 43 Bushfire Internal Tenability Modelling
• Future-Climate Scenario Testing
• Mould, Condensation & Moisture Analysis (WUFI)

Case Studies:

Caroma Experience Centre

Parks Victoria Head Office

As a signatory to Engineers Declare, HIP V. HYPE approach every project through the lens of the climate emergency. We are driven to provide our clients with robust advice on building better, using less carbon in construction and operation.

Alongside reducing carbon, we help clients understand and plan for the risks of a changing climate, building adaptation and resilience into assets across their full lifecycle.

• Net Zero Carbon & Carbon Positive Strategies
• Science-Based Target Advisory
• Upfront & Lifecycle Carbon Analysis
• Climate Adaptation & Resilience Plans

Case studies:

Ferrars & York Life Cycle Assessment

Nightingale Terrace House Life Cycle Assessment

Mount Buffalo: Alternative Energy Solutions

Buildings should be developed with occupant health and wellbeing at the forefront. Our approach is holistic — addressing design, behaviour and operations. The role buildings can play in human health and well-being has never been more evident or more important.

Thanks to an evolving evidence base, we understand more about the relationship between the physical environment and human health than ever before. We know how to create spaces that enhance, rather than hinder, health and wellbeing. We can measure — and then improve – the quality of our air, water and light. We can design environments that fuel our bodies, move us, keep us connected, inspire our best work and facilitate a good night's sleep.

• WELL Building Standard
• Healthy Buildings Strategy
• Indoor Environment Quality Studies
• Thermal Comfort Assessments
• Ventilation & Air Quality Assessments
• Low-Toxicity Material Specification

Case Studies:

Haven Home Safe Design Guidelines

Passivhaus is an internationally recognised building standard focused on creating ultra-energy-efficient, comfortable, and healthy buildings. Developed in Germany in the early 1990s, the Passivhaus standard aims to dramatically reduce a building’s energy use, particularly for heating and cooling, while providing exceptional indoor comfort and air quality.

Marcus Strang (PhD) heads up HIP V. HYPE’s Passivhaus team as Technical Lead and is a certified Passivhaus Designer, Trainer and Certifier. Marcus is one of Australia’s pre-eminent experts on Passivhaus having delivered/worked on over 200 projects that have applied the Passivhaus Standard here in Australia.

• Passivhaus Feasibility Studies
• Passivhaus Designer Role (CPHD)
• Passivhaus Certifier Role (PHC)
• Thermal Bridge Modelling & Advice
• Education & Training / Upskilling (CPT)
• Construction & Installation Inspections
• Hygrothermal Analysis (WUFI 1D)
• PHI Climate File Development
• Product Certifier Role

Case Studies:

Clifton Hill Primary School, Victoria

ANMF House, Victoria

Castle Forbes Bay Passivhaus, Tasmania

Certifications can provide robust, independently verified assessments of the buildings we design, build and operate. Our team are qualified in a range of certification frameworks and are highly experienced across a range of building typologies.

We also assist clients to achieve compliance across national and state frameworks, from NCC Part J and NatHERS through to BASIX and planning pathway requirements.

• Green Star Buildings
• WELL Building Standard
• Living Building Challenge: Petal, Core, Zero Carbon
• NABERS Predictive Modelling
• BESS Assessments
• NCC Part J & J1V3 Assessments
• NatHERS & VURB Ratings & Certificates
• BASIX Assessments
• NSW SEPP, HDR & Planning Application Support

Case Studies:

Bomaderry Build-To-Rent, New South Wales

The true test of a building is how it performs once occupied. We help to close the loop between design intent and operational reality, using measured data to verify outcomes and improve how buildings run.

Often neglected in the procurement cycle, post-occupancy evaluation seeks to understand and learn from the gap between how buildings are designed to perform and how they actually perform in use.

Combining sensor-based monitoring and physical inspection with occupant surveys, we evaluate everything from energy use, temperature and air quality to lived experience. The result is often lower operational costs for owners, operators and residents.

This evidence base also helps inform the design of future projects in how buildings really perform, including through a changing climate.

• Airtightness Testing
• Feedback Loops & Post-Occupancy Research
• Indoor Air Quality Monitoring & Tracking
• Building Performance Reporting & Tracking
• Energy & Emissions Tracking

Case Studies:

Closing the Performance Gap: Why Post-Occupancy Evaluation Matters