SUHO

SUHO Sustainability experts. We specialise in energy-efficiency consulting and architectural design. SUHO was started by Jim Woolcock in 2003.

SUHO, incorporating House Energy Rating, is a market leader in energy assessment for commercial and residential buildings. We have a wealth of experience in helping our clients create more environmentally sustainable buildings. When Jim created the business, it was known as House Energy Rating. We've since grown our range of services significantly, and are now known as SUHO.

Property Developer Network - Melbourne Meetup - Saturday, 6th of JunePlanning approvals are becoming increasingly comple...
01/06/2026

Property Developer Network - Melbourne Meetup - Saturday, 6th of June

Planning approvals are becoming increasingly complex, with sustainability requirements now playing a significant role in how quickly projects move from concept to construction.

That's why we're looking forward to joining the upcoming Property Developer Network event, where industry professionals will come together to explore the opportunities, challenges and strategies shaping today's development landscape.

As part of the program, SUHO's Alison Fenton will be sharing practical insights into navigating Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) requirements at the planning stage. An area that continues to evolve across councils and jurisdictions throughout Australia.

The session will explore how early sustainability input can help streamline approvals, reduce the risk of redesign, improve coordination between disciplines, and create a clearer pathway from planning permit to building approval.

We'll also unpack common pitfalls, discuss the sustainability requirements councils are increasingly focused on, and highlight practical opportunities to improve project outcomes without adding unnecessary complexity or cost.

Whether you're delivering residential, mixed-use or commercial projects, understanding how to approach planning-stage ESD strategically can make a significant difference to approval timelines, project certainty and long-term performance.

To learn more about the event and secure your place, visit the Property Developer Network event page: https://developernetwork.com.au/events/M076

Looking forward to the Australian Architects Declare event covering “The Hidden Aspects of Sustainable Design” on June 1...
29/05/2026

Looking forward to the Australian Architects Declare event covering “The Hidden Aspects of Sustainable Design” on June 10th at SUHO Melbourne.

For more information click the link below.

National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) is an opportunity for all Australians to raise awareness and reflect on o...
27/05/2026

National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) is an opportunity for all Australians to raise awareness and reflect on our shared history, recognise the cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and consider how we can each contribute to a more respectful, connected and inclusive future.

This year’s theme, 'All In', is a call for everyone - individuals, communities, organisations and industries alike - to actively participate in the ongoing reconciliation journey. It recognises that meaningful progress comes through collective action, shared understanding and a willingness to listen, learn and engage.

Across the week, communities around Australia will take part in events, conversations, cultural activities, educational programs and workplace initiatives that help strengthen understanding and connection. Whether it’s attending a local event, supporting First Nations businesses and creators, learning more about Country and culture, or simply taking time to reflect, every action contributes to the broader reconciliation journey.

Within the built environment, reconciliation also plays an important role in how we shape places, through more inclusive engagement, stronger community outcomes, respect for Country and culturally responsive design-thinking that acknowledges the histories and identities connected to place.

Wanting to explore National Reconciliation Week events and get involved? You can find a list of great activities happening across the country here:

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/calendar/

SUHO is excited to introduce Life Cycle Assessment as one of our newest integrated sustainability services.As the built ...
24/05/2026

SUHO is excited to introduce Life Cycle Assessment as one of our newest integrated sustainability services.

As the built environment shifts beyond operational energy and toward whole-of-life carbon performance, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is quickly becoming one of the most important tools shaping future-ready building design across Australia.

LCA measures the embodied carbon and environmental impacts of a building across its full life cycle, from material manufacture and transport through to construction, maintenance, replacement, reuse and end-of-life. Importantly, it allows project teams to compare design and material choices early using real environmental data rather than assumptions.

This is becoming increasingly relevant across residential, commercial, education, health, civic, industrial, and mixed-use developments, particularly for projects targeting Green Star certification, government procurement pathways, ESG outcomes, or long-term net-zero commitments.

In many cases, LCA is no longer simply “desirable”. Whole-building embodied carbon assessment is already required within Green Star pathways and is increasingly influencing planning policy, institutional procurement and major project approvals nationally.

For project teams, the benefits are significant:
• Earlier identification of carbon-intensive materials
• Smarter and more cost-effective design decisions
• Stronger planning and certification pathways
• Improved ESG reporting and future regulatory readiness
• Reduced waste, embodied emissions and long-term environmental impacts

As sustainability expectations continue evolving nationally, embodied carbon is rapidly becoming part of mainstream project delivery, & the earlier it’s considered, the greater the opportunity to influence meaningful outcomes.

Future-ready projects start with informed decisions.
Get in touch with SUHO to explore how LCA can support your next project. 1300 308 525 or [email protected]

Photo by Aron Yigin on Unsplash

Across Australia, many councils are continuing to lead the way in sustainable design, recognising the important role com...
20/05/2026

Across Australia, many councils are continuing to lead the way in sustainable design, recognising the important role community infrastructure can play in creating healthier, lower-carbon and more climate-resilient environments for the people who use them.

As environmental conditions continue to evolve, there is growing focus on future-proofing public and community assets through smarter building performance, improved energy efficiency and more resilient design outcomes to support long-term value for local communities.

SUHO is pleased to be supporting the Rostrevor Tennis Club Building Upgrade in South Australia through a range of integrated ESD analysis and assessment services designed to strengthen sustainability outcomes from the earliest project stages.

Our involvement includes Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and a comprehensive Sustainability Management Plan addressing key performance areas including energy efficiency, water use, stormwater management, transport, waste, indoor environmental quality and urban ecology. Together, these assessments help inform practical, evidence-based sustainability strategies that support both building performance and occupant wellbeing.

The project has also been strategically positioned to target a minimum 30% improvement over existing NCC JV3 energy efficiency requirements, including a minimum 10% improvement delivered through building fabric performance alone, before considering building services.

Projects like this demonstrate how integrated ESD thinking can help shape more resilient, efficient and future-ready community infrastructure, while supporting stronger planning outcomes and reducing long-term operational and embodied impacts.

Importantly, this approach is becoming increasingly relevant across recreation, education, health, civic and mixed-use developments nationally as communities place greater value on comfortable, sustainable and adaptable places.

Future-ready projects start with informed decisions.

Australia’s sustainability conversation is increasingly shifting from what we build to what we already have, and retrofi...
18/05/2026

Australia’s sustainability conversation is increasingly shifting from what we build to what we already have, and retrofitting existing buildings is emerging as one of the most powerful tools in that transition.

Building retrofits involve upgrading existing assets to improve performance, comfort, efficiency and resilience without requiring full demolition and rebuild. This can include façade and glazing upgrades, electrification, HVAC optimisation, lighting improvements, insulation, renewable energy integration, water-efficiency measures, and broader building performance enhancements.

Beyond reducing operational emissions, retrofits can significantly improve occupant wellbeing, indoor environmental quality and long-term asset value. Better thermal comfort, lower running costs and healthier indoor environments are becoming increasingly important as sustainability expectations continue to rise across Australia’s built environment.

Importantly, retrofits also help reduce embodied carbon by extending the life of existing buildings and avoiding unnecessary demolition and reconstruction, making them a key part of the transition toward lower-carbon, climate-resilient cities.

This shift is being supported by a growing number of retrofit and building decarbonisation initiatives nationally, including:

• City of Melbourne – Retrofit Melbourne Financial Incentive Scheme
• City of Sydney – Building Sustainability Programs
• Brisbane City Council – Sustainability and Energy Initiatives
• Green Building Council of Australia – Existing Buildings Pathways
• Property Council of Australia – Retrofit and Building Upgrade Advocacy

As regulations evolve and pressure grows to improve building performance, retrofit strategies are becoming less of a niche sustainability exercise and more of a core part of long-term asset planning.

Building resilience into existing assets? 1300 308 525

Sirius Building, Sydney, Australia. Photo by Berenice Melis on Unsplash.

Climate resilience is quickly becoming one of the most important considerations in the future of the built environment. ...
13/05/2026

Climate resilience is quickly becoming one of the most important considerations in the future of the built environment. From rising temperatures and extreme heat events through to flooding, bushfire risk and severe storms, the question is no longer if climate impacts will affect our buildings and communities, but how prepared we are for them.

That’s where Climate Adaptation Plans (CAPs) come in.

A Climate Adaptation Plan helps project teams understand how future climate conditions may impact a site, building or precinct over time, while identifying practical strategies to improve resilience, safety, durability and long-term performance. Increasingly, these assessments are being considered for projects located in flood-prone, bushfire-prone or heat-vulnerable areas, as well as larger residential communities, mixed-use precincts, commercial developments, public infrastructure, education facilities, health projects and community assets across Australia.

Importantly, climate adaptation isn’t just about risk mitigation. It’s also about designing places that remain comfortable, operational and valuable well into the future, while supporting stronger planning outcomes, reduced lifecycle costs and better occupant wellbeing.

As planning policy, ESG expectations and climate-related regulations continue to evolve nationally, integrating adaptation thinking early is becoming a smarter and more strategic part of project delivery.

We’ve unpacked what Climate Adaptation Plans are, why they matter, and how they can support future-ready development outcomes in our latest article.

🔗 Read more here: https://suho.webflow.io/what-is-a-climate-adaptation-plan?_gl=1*1vy4z4b*_gcl_au*MTc0Njc2NjYzMy4xNzczNjE0MDU0

Photo by Don Ricardo on Unsplash

Apartments are under more pressure than ever to perform. Not just in the way people experience them day to day, but also...
11/05/2026

Apartments are under more pressure than ever to perform. Not just in the way people experience them day to day, but also in response to gradually tightening regulatory expectations through ongoing National Construction Code updates, including the recent NCC25 introduction on May 1st.

In our latest short-form video, SUHO Sustainability Associate Sumit Kenche unpacks why early-stage optimisation is becoming one of the most valuable tools in apartment design.

Two key takeaways?

• Small design decisions made early, from glazing selection to orientation and façade strategy, can significantly influence thermal comfort, energy efficiency and long-term operational costs.

• Optimisation isn’t about overcomplicating design or chasing unnecessary upgrades. It’s about understanding where performance gains can be achieved most effectively and economically, before costly redesigns occur later in the project lifecycle.

The conversation also explores why some apartments naturally perform better than others, how high-rise and low-rise buildings respond differently to climate conditions, and why data-driven modelling is helping create healthier, more resilient homes with stronger long-term value.

As performance expectations continue to rise across Australia’s residential sector, optimisation is quickly shifting from an enhancement option, to a must-have strategic design advantage.

🎥 Watch the full “Energy Efficiency ‘Optimisation’ For Apartments: Why It Matters” video here and explore how smarter early decisions can lead to better-performing apartment projects.

Global benchmarks are increasingly shaping how buildings are designed, delivered and valued, and LEED BD+C continues to ...
06/05/2026

Global benchmarks are increasingly shaping how buildings are designed, delivered and valued, and LEED BD+C continues to stand out as one of the most recognised frameworks for measuring sustainable performance. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED BD+C provides a structured, evidence-based pathway for new buildings and major refurbishments, with a strong focus on outcomes across energy use, water efficiency, materials, and site impact.

At SUHO, our LEED BD+C service brings this framework into a practical, project-led context, aligning sustainability objectives with design, documentation and delivery from the outset. By embedding requirements early and coordinating closely with project teams, we help ensure certification is not just achievable, but efficiently integrated and commercially considered.

Across Australasia, LEED is most commonly applied to projects seeking to benchmark against international standards or attract global investment and tenants. This includes premium commercial offices, large-scale mixed-use developments, institutional and education facilities, healthcare buildings, and high-performance industrial or logistics assets. It is also increasingly relevant for developments looking to complement local frameworks such as Green Star, offering a dual lens of environmental performance and global comparability.

As expectations around ESG, operational efficiency and long-term asset value continue to rise, LEED BD+C provides a clear, data-driven pathway to deliver buildings that perform, not just locally, but on a global stage.

>>> If you’re exploring how LEED could support your next project, we’d be glad to share how this approach can be applied in a way that adds clarity, not complexity. Call SUHO on 1300 308 525 to speak with our LEED BD+C Consultant today!

International Convention Centre Sydney (NSW). By Canela Pontelli on Unsplash.

Address

Unit 8/938 South Road
Edwardstown, SA
5039

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

1300 308 525

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SUHO posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to SUHO:

Shortcuts

Share

Category