We bring passive solar design to homes across Tasmania, using orientation, glazing and materials to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, naturally.
Too many Tasmanian homes are cold in winter, stuffy in summer and expensive to run all year. The heaters work overtime, the bills climb and comfort still feels out of reach. Poor orientation and design lock in decades of wasted energy and money that better planning would have avoided.
We design homes that use the sun, not fight it, so they stay comfortable with far less heating and cooling. Orientation, glazing, insulation and thermal mass work together to hold warmth in winter and release heat in summer. The result is a home that is cheaper to run and better to live in.
We had no idea where to start with our new home and Strait Design made the whole thing feel simple. They designed to our budget from day one and kept us informed the whole way through. Could not fault them.
After a bad experience elsewhere we were nervous, but this team told us the truth about timelines and cost upfront. No surprises and no excuses. Our plans were build ready exactly when they said they would be.
The approvals process terrified us but Strait Design handled all the council side so we did not have to. Everything was explained in plain English and we always knew what was happening next. Brilliant service.
We wanted a double storey family home and were worried about blowing the budget. They shaped the design around what we could actually spend and it still turned out beautiful. Would recommend to anyone building.
As a small developer I needed speed through approvals and accurate early costing. Strait Design delivered both. The documentation was clear enough for builders to price it properly the first time around.
What stood out was the communication. We never had to chase for updates because they always let us know where things sat. Dealing with one team from start to finish made the whole process so much easier.
Over 35 years of experience really shows. They picked up issues early that we never would have and saved us money down the track. It genuinely felt like they had our best interests at heart the entire time.
We are first home builders and had a hundred questions. The team was patient, down to earth and never once made us feel silly for asking. Our build ready plans came through exactly as promised. Thank you.
From the first call to the finished plans the experience was exactly what they said it would be. Trade qualified people who actually know planning and building inside out. Honestly worth every single cent.
Sustainable design does not have to mean an eye watering budget. We build efficiency into the design from the start, so much of the benefit comes from smart planning rather than expensive add ons. You are kept informed at every stage, so you always know where things sit and what happens next.
Your design is reviewed by people who build homes for a living. Get practical input on structure, materials, thermal performance and cost before decisions are locked in.
Stage one finishes with a Project Budget Alignment Estimate based on real project data and current construction rates, so you can check the design against your budget before it goes to council.
Your design fees, consultant allowances and council costs are set out upfront. We explain provisional costs and discuss any additional requirements with you before proceeding.
We guide your selections and document them in your construction drawings, giving builders a clear basis to price the fixtures, fittings and finishes you want.
We coordinate surveyors, engineers, energy assessors, your building surveyor, council and TasWater where required, keeping your pre-construction work moving through one team.
Regular, clear updates explain where your project is at, what comes next and anything we need from you, so you can make decisions with confidence.
We design each home for your specific site, its aspect and Tasmania’s climate, then keep it within the budget you actually have. Your plans are documented clearly enough for builders to price the work accurately and on the same basis. We help you engage the right builder, so the build starts knowing exactly where you stand.
We talk through your budget before any design work begins, so you know what your energy efficient home will cost and what you are getting. Construction estimates are prepared alongside your approvals. Our timeline and cost guarantees (terms and conditions apply) mean you can plan with certainty.
Timing depends on the size and complexity of the home, your site and what council requires. We give you a clear timeline at the start, before any work begins. Our process is built to keep your energy efficient home moving through design, documentation and approvals without long stalls. We back that timeline with a guarantee, and terms and conditions apply.
Passive solar design uses the position of the sun to heat and cool the home naturally, through orientation, glazing, insulation and thermal mass. Rather than relying on heaters and air conditioners, the home is planned to hold warmth in winter and stay cool in summer. In Tasmania’s climate, that means real comfort and lower running costs year round. It is design working smarter, not equipment working harder.
Not as much as people expect, because a lot of the benefit comes from planning rather than expensive products. Good orientation, sensible glazing and proper insulation cost little more yet deliver comfort and savings for decades. We prepare construction estimates alongside the design so you see the cost clearly and can weigh any upgrades. That is how sustainable homes stay achievable rather than a luxury.
Aspect helps, but good passive solar design works with the block you have rather than needing a perfect one. We assess your site’s orientation, slope and outlook, then design to make the most of the sun available. Where the block is challenging, experience is what turns constraints into a comfortable home. That is exactly the kind of problem we are here to solve.
Changes are a normal part of the design process, and we refine the design with you until it feels right. The best time to make changes is during the design stage, before documentation and approvals begin. If you want to change something later, we will tell you how it affects your timeline and cost before anything happens. You stay in control of every decision.
Yes, we help you engage the right builder once your plans are build ready. Your documentation is prepared so builders can give you accurate, comparable pricing on your energy efficient home. We can help you work through the quotes so you understand how they compare. You are not left on your own at the moment it matters most.
We had no idea where to start with our new home and Strait Design made the whole thing feel simple. They designed to our budget from day one and kept us informed the whole way through. Could not fault them.
After a bad experience elsewhere we were nervous, but this team told us the truth about timelines and cost upfront. No surprises and no excuses. Our plans were build ready exactly when they said they would be.
The approvals process terrified us but Strait Design handled all the council side so we did not have to. Everything was explained in plain English and we always knew what was happening next. Brilliant service.
We wanted a double storey family home and were worried about blowing the budget. They shaped the design around what we could actually spend and it still turned out beautiful. Would recommend to anyone building.
As a small developer I needed speed through approvals and accurate early costing. Strait Design delivered both. The documentation was clear enough for builders to price it properly the first time around.
What stood out was the communication. We never had to chase for updates because they always let us know where things sat. Dealing with one team from start to finish made the whole process so much easier.
Over 35 years of experience really shows. They picked up issues early that we never would have and saved us money down the track. It genuinely felt like they had our best interests at heart the entire time.
We are first home builders and had a hundred questions. The team was patient, down to earth and never once made us feel silly for asking. Our build ready plans came through exactly as promised. Thank you.
From the first call to the finished plans the experience was exactly what they said it would be. Trade qualified people who actually know planning and building inside out. Honestly worth every single cent.