Skip to main content

Hoskins Building Sets New Benchmark for Sustainable Education in NSW

Apr 23 2026

Australia’s first CLT PassivHaus‑certified school building to officially open on 15 May 2026.

 

The Hoskins Building marks a major milestone in sustainable education design, becoming the first Passivhaus‑certified school building in New South Wales, setting a new benchmark for low‑carbon, high‑performance learning environments.

 

“The Hoskins Building represents a significant investment in the future of education,” said Dr Julie Greenhalgh, Principal of Illawarra Grammar. “It provides an environment for students with exceptional comfort, natural light and air quality, while modelling the kind of responsible, future‑focused thinking we want our students to carry into the world.”

 

Key building features:

  • Australia’s first Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) school building delivered to Passivhaus standards, and the first Passivhaus school in NSW
  • Designed to reduce heating and cooling energy demand by up to 90% compared to conventional school buildings
  • High-performance ventilation system providing constant filtered fresh air with heat recovery to all classrooms
  • 40 kW solar PV system, typically covering the building’s operational energy use
  • Structure constructed from approximately 850 m³ of CLT and timber, storing around 650 tonnes of CO₂ within the structure and façade
  • Green roof enhancing biodiversity, improving campus amenity, and supporting solar panel efficiency through a cooler roof microclimate

 

Providing additional learning spaces:

  • 150-seat lecture theatre
  • STEM laboratory
  • Junior library
  • 6 senior classrooms
  • 4 junior classrooms with integrated breakout and practical activity spaces
  • Outdoor play and learning areas

 

Official opening event:

The Hoskins Building will be officially opened on Friday 15 May 2026, with an ‘open house’ style event from 3.30pm – 5.00pm, offering a range of events for students and families to explore:

  • A talk and book signing from author Anh Do
  • Q&A panel with the architects on sustainability
  • STEM presentations and demonstrations
  • Various presentations from alumni
  • The official ribbon cutting ceremony

 

Register here to attend.