Clifton Hill Passive House Primary School
Clifton Hill, VIC
Clifton Hill Primary School’s new vertical campus marks a milestone for the Victorian School Building Authority as the first educational facility in Victoria designed and constructed to meet the rigorous Passive House standard. Located in the heart of Clifton Hill, the three-storey building redefines what a modern learning environment can be - combining exceptional energy efficiency, acoustic comfort, and visual clarity within a light-filled architectural form.
From the outset, the project carried an ambitious brief: to deliver an inspiring, highly glazed learning space that met Passive House airtightness and thermal performance benchmarks while also meeting stringent safety and fall-prevention standards. To achieve this, Viridian partnered with window fabricator Paarhammer Windows & Doors to supply advanced glazing solutions capable of meeting the project’s demanding technical requirements.
The collaboration between Viridian and Paarhammer was critical in delivering a glazing system that performed under pressure – literally. Situated in a high-wind zone, the building required windows capable of withstanding significant environmental loads without compromising clarity or aesthetics. Together, we delivered a custom system featuring Viridian’s VistaTech™ triple glazing with LightBridge™ technology, designed to deliver superior insulation, acoustic balance, and durability. The result was a collection of large-scale glass units, including an oversized 35m² feature window, that maintained stunning visual connection to the outdoors while providing the thermal stability required for certification.
Each triple glazed unit was engineered with multiple pane configurations to optimise performance across different orientations. The glass combinations balanced solar control and insulation, ensuring minimal heat loss and comfortable internal temperatures year-round. Installed within Paarhammer’s precision-crafted timber-aluminium frames, the glazing achieved exceptional airtightness while maintaining a refined architectural finish. The low-VOC materials, barrier-free thresholds, and robust hardware further supported the project’s focus on occupant wellbeing and accessibility.
Inside the classrooms and shared spaces, the difference is immediate. The glazing works in tandem with external louvres to manage solar gain and glare, creating a calm, acoustically stable environment that allows students to focus and thrive. Natural light fills the interiors without overheating or distraction – a subtle but powerful example of how glass can shape comfort, productivity, and health in educational design.
The Clifton Hill Passive House Primary School has been recognised with both the Victoria State Award and the Australian National Award at the 2024 AGWA Design and Industry Awards (Commercial Window/Glass Project under $750,000). For Viridian, this project stands as a demonstration of what’s possible when innovation in glazing meets craftsmanship in fabrication. By combining Viridian’s LightBridge™ technology with Paarhammer’s precision window systems, the team delivered a benchmark in sustainable, low-carbon architecture that will serve generations of students to come.
