Bass Coast Shire Council’s Phillip Island arts and cultural centre hub, Berninneit, has officially achieved the internationally recognised Passivhaus certification.
Berninneit is Australia’s first Passivhaus-certified public centre to incorporate a professional theatre, public library, gallery and museum within a single building. The certification is also a global achievement – making Berninneit only the second building in the world to do so.
Passivhaus is built around five key design principles: airtight construction, high levels of insulation, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, high-performance windows and minimised thermal bridging. Together, these principles create buildings that maintain excellent indoor comfort, deliver superior air quality and significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Since opening in late 2023, Berninneit has received multiple awards for its architecture, sustainability and design. Designed by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects and constructed by McCorkell Constructions, the facility was always intended to set a new benchmark for public buildings in regional Victoria.
Bass Coast Mayor, Brett Tessari said the certification reflects Council’s long-term vision for the facility.
He said Council carefully considered a range of sustainability certification options, including Green Star, weighing upfront costs, certification requirements and long-term operational benefits. Passivhaus was ultimately chosen because of its strong focus on building performance, energy efficiency and occupant comfort over the life of the building.
“Achieving Passivhaus certification is a fantastic outcome and reflects the foresight shown when Berninneit was first planned and designed,” Mayor Tessari said.
“Council made a deliberate decision to invest in a building that would deliver long-term sustainability benefits, reduce operating costs and provide a comfortable, welcoming space for the community year-round. This certification confirms that vision has been realised.”
“Berninneit has quickly become a hub for Phillip Island, bringing people together through arts, culture, learning and community events. Knowing it has been designed and built to such a high international standard means future generations will benefit from an enjoyable, efficient and sustainable community asset for many years to come.”
Achieving Passivhaus certification for a public building of Berninneit’s scale and complexity is particularly noteworthy. Unlike residential buildings, public buildings experience higher visitor numbers, varying occupancy levels and more intensive day-to-day use, making certification more challenging to achieve.
The process required extensive documentation and photographic evidence throughout construction, followed by rigorous independent assessment through the Passive House Institute in Germany. A key component of the certification process is detailed pressure testing to measure the building’s airtightness and ensure it meets strict international performance standards.
The testing confirmed Berninneit meets the requirements of the Passive House Classic standard. The building achieved an airtightness result of 0.6 air changes per hour, meeting the Passivhaus benchmark for certification.
Importantly, no additional costs were incurred to achieve certification following completion of construction. Certification was always part of the project’s design intent and was delivered within the project’s approved budget.
The achievement was recognised at today’s Council Meeting, held at Berninneit (pictured), where Councillors experienced firsthand the building’s ongoing role as a venue for Council meetings, community activities and cultural events on Phillip Island.
Australian Passivhaus Association CEO, Stalin Chakrabarty, also congratulated Council on the achievement.
“Berninneit is more than an award-winning building – it is an investment in the health, comfort and wellbeing of the Bass Coast community for generations to come. Every person who visits the library, gallery, museum or theatre will benefit from a building that provides outstanding thermal comfort, excellent indoor air quality and exceptional energy performance throughout the year,” he said.
“Bass Coast Shire Council has demonstrated that public buildings can be designed to put people first while also reducing energy use and long-term operating costs. We congratulate the Council and the entire project team on setting a new benchmark for community infrastructure in Australia, and we hope this inspires other councils to create healthier, more resilient public spaces for their communities.”
