What Makes a Good Retrofit?
Six Principles for Creating More Comfortable, Healthier and Lower-Carbon Homes Many homeowners begin thinking about retrofit because something in their home isn’t working as well
Fluit Studio specialises in Passive House (Passivhaus), passive solar design and sustainable residential architecture, designing homes that stay comfortable year-round while significantly reducing energy use.
Based in Melbourne, we work with homeowners across Victoria who want their homes to perform as beautifully as they look.
We believe comfortable, healthy, energy-efficient homes should be the expected standard, not the exception.
Grounded in Passive Solar Design and Passive House (Passivhaus) building principles, our homes are designed to work in harmony with their surroundings, supporting comfort, sustainability, and long-term energy performance.
This approach forms the foundation of our sustainable residential architecture practice at Fluit Studio.
Every project begins as a conversation: between your values, the way you want to live, and the unique qualities of your site.
We listen carefully, respond thoughtfully, and design with purpose. Whether a family home or a weekend retreat, the goal remains the same:
To create sustainable homes that feel good to live in, environments of comfort, connection, and enduring quality.
Human-Centred Design
We prioritise the well-being of occupants, designing homes that support connection, comfort and everyday living.
Sustainable Foundations
Good design goes beyond aesthetics. Grounded in Passive Solar Design and Passive House (Passivhaus) principles, our architecture focuses on creating energy-efficient homes that maintain comfortable indoor environments while reducing environmental impact.
Connection to Place
We believe good design starts with understanding a place. Our homes respond thoughtfully to site, climate and community, creating sustainable spaces that feel naturally connected to their surroundings.
Designing a home should feel considered, not overwhelming. We bring clarity and structure to the architectural process from day one, guiding you through each stage with a calm collaborative approach.
Understanding what’s possible within your site, budget, and vision.
Bringing ideas to life through sketches, mood boards, and layouts.
Refining your design while ensuring all approvals are met.
Preparing detailed drawings and connecting you with trusted builders.
Overseeing the build to ensure quality and efficiency.
Every project begins somewhere different. These three services are designed to help you think clearly, move confidently and invest wisely — before committing to detailed design or construction.
Project Strategy Session
Get clarity before you start.
If you have a project in mind but aren’t sure how to approach it: what’s realistic, what it might cost, or whether your site and brief can work together, a Project Strategy Session helps you think it through with an architect before any money is spent on design.
Project Foundations
Explore possibilities before investing in detailed design.
If you’re still forming your brief, testing the potential of your site, exploring how your home could change, or weighing up options, Project Foundations creates the space to investigate and refine before the project fully commits to a direction.
Retrofit Advisory Services
Understand what to improve and in what order.
If you own an existing home and want to improve comfort, energy efficiency or indoor health, but aren’t sure where to begin or which upgrades will have the most impact, Retrofit Advisory provides a clear, architect-led roadmap before you spend.
A considered response to a growing family’s evolving needs, Fluit Studio balances sensitivity to heritage with the comfort and ease of contemporary living — light-filled, sustainable family home designed for connection, and long-term performance.
Six Principles for Creating More Comfortable, Healthier and Lower-Carbon Homes Many homeowners begin thinking about retrofit because something in their home isn’t working as well
Why Australian Homes Overheat in Summer and Freeze in Winter Climate Change Is No Longer a Future Issue Many discussions around climate change focus on
Exploring the relationship between indoor air quality, ventilation, moisture and healthier homes during winter.
Exploring how site selection can influence construction cost, complexity and long-term project outcomes , often before design even begins.
A reflection on comfort, climate and the small everyday actions that can help homes stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Small, practical improvements that can help older Australian homes feel more comfortable, efficient and liveable without major renovation work.