Maxa Design

Maxa Design Award-winning designers of high-performance homes and certified projects in Australia. Best Sustainable Design - Residential.

Maxa design stunning, stylish buildings that are beautiful to live in, replete with character and personality. Your design brief, budget and lifestyle form the basis of our concepts and we strive to keep your dream alive throughout the design process. Maxa Design are passionate about designing innovative, energy efficient and environmentally sustainable homes. Whether we are enhancing an existing

building or creating a unique response to a blank canvas, we embrace the opportunities you present to us. Maxa Design endeavours to develop lasting relationships with our clients through effective communication and by ensuring that we understand your vision. We believe you should enjoy the journey and adore the creation and by working collaboratively your vision will become a reality. Particular attention is paid to:
• Passive Solar design to naturally warm and cool your home
• Passivehaus design
• Energy saving measures so your house is cheaper to run.
• Water efficiency systems
• Responsible material selection

Recent Awards:
2016 NABD (National Association of Building Designers)
Best Residential Design, New Houses, $300-$500k Construction Cost. BDAV design awards:
Best Residential Design, New Houses, $300-$500k Construction Cost.

2016 Commendation:
BDAV design awards:
Residential Design Alterations & Additions, $200-$500 Construction Cost. Culvert House Trentham.

2015 BDAV design awards:
10 Star Sustainable Design Challenge
Excellence In Use of Steel.

2014 NABD (National Association of Building Designers):
Best Environmentally Sustainable Design.

2014 BDAV design awards:
Best Environmentally Sustainable Design
Residential Alterations and Additions $200-$500k build cost. Commendation:
New House $500k-$1m build cost. Finalist - BDAV 10 star challenge

2013 BDAV Design Awards
Best Residential Design Alterations & Additions up to $200K. Best Environmentally Sustainable Design
Finalists in the 10 Star Challenge

2013 Australian Timber Design Awards
Best Small Budget Renovation

2012 BDAV Design Awards
Finalists in the 10 Star Challenge

2011 BDAV Design Awards
Best Residential Design of a New Home up to $300k
Most innovative use of brick
Finalists in the 10 Star Challenge

Set in a 40,000 m² foothill clearing of the Dandenong Ranges, this home was shaped around the land from day one.We used ...
19/06/2026

Set in a 40,000 m² foothill clearing of the Dandenong Ranges, this home was shaped around the land from day one.

We used careful siting to avoid tree removal, floor levels that cut minimal earthworks, and materials chosen to age quietly in the landscape. Faced with steep terrain, Green Wedge controls and overlays for bushfire, erosion and flooding, we spent extra time early in the design process refining position, form and services, so the house would respond to constraints rather than fight them.

A home designed to protect nature and wildlife while making everyday life a joy. Interested in a site‑sensitive approach for your project? Let's chat!

https://www.maxadesign.com.au/contact-us

Europe’s prefab scene showed us a smarter way to build — and Australia stands to gain. Think: Factory‑perfect quality an...
14/06/2026

Europe’s prefab scene showed us a smarter way to build — and Australia stands to gain.

Think: Factory‑perfect quality and airtight performance, delivered faster and with far less waste; timber‑led systems that cut embodied carbon; and offsite QA that makes Passive/low‑energy standards achievable and affordable. For Australian sites that face bushfire risk, steep terrain or supply constraints, prefab offers predictable outcomes, safer detailing and less on‑site disruption.

What we love most: The ability to customise high‑end finishes and passive performance without the usual cost or timeline penalties.

What do you think?

Prefab homes are not what you think. Far from cookie‑cutter boxes, today’s prefab is a design-first, performance-driven ...
10/06/2026

Prefab homes are not what you think. Far from cookie‑cutter boxes, today’s prefab is a design-first, performance-driven route to luxury that’s greener, faster, and smarter.

Bespoke layouts and premium finishes without the elevated price.
Factory precision = airtightness, consistent insulation, and fewer surprises.
Passive‑ready with triple glazing, MVHR, solar + battery options.
Lower embodied carbon, faster build, less waste.

Think of prefab as an expedited path to high‑performance, low‑maintenance luxury where craft, science, and smart production meet.

These homes are taking off in Europe, and we're excited to bring some of these ideas back to Australia!

Enjoying sweeping views shouldn't mean dealing with winter cold or summer heat!Choose glazing with a low U‑value and hig...
06/06/2026

Enjoying sweeping views shouldn't mean dealing with winter cold or summer heat!

Choose glazing with a low U‑value and higher SHGC for winter warmth, then tame summer heat with deep eaves, external shading or dynamic coatings.

Pair triple‑glazed IGUs with thermally broken frames and airtight detailing + MVHR for year‑round comfort and clean air. Structural mullions and laminated glass keep big spans safe and serene.

Take a look at this elegant rural home in Selby and see how great design creates a great home!

https://www.maxadesign.com.au/selby/

Builder:
Engineer: .consulting
Windows: .weather.windows
Geotechnical Engineer:
Thermal Performance Assessor: .energy
Photography: Neylon

Want a Passivhaus but not sure where to begin? Start with finding the right specialists.▪️ Talk to a certified designer ...
03/06/2026

Want a Passivhaus but not sure where to begin? Start with finding the right specialists.

▪️ Talk to a certified designer early: Sven (Certified Passivhaus Designer) leads our team to ensure form, orientation and systems are performance‑first.

▪️ Make performance a brief item: Set energy targets, comfort goals and maintenance expectations up front.

▪️ Integrate design + modelling: Early PHPP or energy modelling saves cost later and guides material choices.

▪️ Lock in airtight detailing & MVHR from the concept stage, as it’s cheaper to design in than retrofit.

▪️ Choose builders experienced with high‑performance workflows or prefab assemblies to control quality and timelines.

At Maxa Design, our over two‑dozen awards reflect buildings that balance luxury, durability, and real running‑cost savings.

We work across Australia and Tasmania, from concept to certification and handover.

Curious if Passivhaus suits your site or budget? Book a consult today!

https://www.maxadesign.com.au/contact-us

Back from Essen and ready to bring you all the latest Passivhaus innovations!From airtight detailing to MVHR strategies ...
31/05/2026

Back from Essen and ready to bring you all the latest Passivhaus innovations!

From airtight detailing to MVHR strategies and performance-first modelling, we're translating European precision to local climates and materials so clients get reliable comfort, luxury living, and tiny energy bills.

Want to be part of the change? Let’s start a conversation about your home design!

https://www.maxadesign.com.au/contact-us

Sign up for free tickets to our latest home tour!If you're dreaming of designing a home that feels incredible to live in...
28/05/2026

Sign up for free tickets to our latest home tour!

If you're dreaming of designing a home that feels incredible to live in, this is your chance to go behind the scenes.

We’re opening up our Rhyll project on Phillip Island for a guided tour, giving you a rare look at how high-performance homes are designed and built.

From big-picture ideas to the smallest details, you’ll see what makes the difference.

Stay tuned for the date announcement and sign up to be the first to know!
https://www.maxadesign.com.au/upcomingevents

Coastal homes face unique challenges, from wind exposure to changing temperatures. This Passivhaus responds with a robus...
24/05/2026

Coastal homes face unique challenges, from wind exposure to changing temperatures.

This Passivhaus responds with a robust envelope, high-performance glazing, and carefully considered openings.

Every window in this Jan Juc project is placed with intention to capture sweeping ocean views and natural light.

Combined with deep eaves and shading, the home maintains a strong connection to the outdoors while staying comfortable and efficient inside.

Create your very own coastal haven with Maxa Design!
https://www.maxadesign.com.au/contact-us



PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIER: Marcus Strang - Hip V Hype
PASSIVHAUS CONSULTANT/ DESIGNER: Paul Gray - Detail Green
ARCHITECT/ BUILDING DESIGNER: Maxa Design
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Owner
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Independent Link
WINDOW SUPPLIER: UPVC Windows World
HRV SUPPLIER: Fantech
PHOTOGRAPHER: Maxa Design

A high-performing roof does more than shelter your home. It plays a direct role in how you manage heat, light, and comfo...
19/05/2026

A high-performing roof does more than shelter your home. It plays a direct role in how you manage heat, light, and comfort.

Eaves are often built into roof design as the default for solar control. But they're a fixed solution, typically sized for midday summer and winter sun angles. In reality, the hottest part of the day often arrives later in the afternoon, when the sun is lower and eaves offer limited protection.

That’s where the roof needs to work smarter.

By integrating external sun blinds into the overall design, you move beyond static shading. You gain control. Blinds can respond to changing conditions throughout the day, blocking unwanted heat when it matters most while still allowing light and warmth when you want it.

In Passivhaus and high-performance homes, roof design, glazing, and shading need to be considered together. It’s not just about overhang depth or pitch. It’s about how every element works as a system to manage solar gain effectively.

Talk to us about designing your dream home today!
https://www.maxadesign.com.au/contact-us

Join our enews list and get first access to free tickets for upcoming site tours! You’ll step inside a high-performance ...
17/05/2026

Join our enews list and get first access to free tickets for upcoming site tours!

You’ll step inside a high-performance home in progress, see how it all comes together, and speak directly with our team.

It’s a practical way to understand what makes these homes so comfortable, efficient, and built to last.

Spots are limited and always fill quickly. Sign up via the link below to secure early access!
https://www.maxadesign.com.au/upcomingevents

Address

Blackburn, VIC

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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