*River House* by Lakeside’s major project partner, Brother Nature. Photography by Jascha Oakes.

A high performing home is one that’s designed to deliver exceptional levels of comfort, efficiency, and resilience—no matter the season, the weather, or the energy prices. It’s more than just a house that meets minimum building standards. It’s a home that works harder for you, day in and day out, to keep you comfortable, reduce your bills, and protect what matters most.

At Lakeside, we believe homes should be more than just shelters. They should actively support your wellbeing. That’s why every home we build in Jindabyne Lakeside is designed to perform at a higher level—from the ground up.

So, what does that actually mean?

It means a home that is carefully oriented to make the most of the sun in winter and protect you from heat in summer. It means using better materials—insulation that keeps the warmth in, windows that keep the cold out, and construction methods that reduce air leaks and thermal bridges. It means thinking through every detail, not just to meet code, but to exceed it—because performance is not just about numbers. It’s about how it feels to live in your home, every single day.

Passive design principles

High performance starts with passive design. We work with the sun, wind, and landscape to shape homes that naturally regulate temperature. North-facing living areas, appropriate shading, and thermal mass help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer without relying on artificial heating and cooling. This approach is centuries old—and when paired with modern materials and technology, it’s incredibly effective.

*Mountains* by Lakeside’s major project partner, Brother Nature. Photography by Guy Williment.

Airtightness

Next comes airtightness. It might sound counterintuitive, but sealing your home from uncontrolled air leaks is one of the most powerful ways to improve energy efficiency. Airtight homes are more comfortable, with fewer draughts, more consistent temperatures, and better control over indoor air quality. With a well-designed ventilation system (like a heat recovery ventilator), you get plenty of fresh air without compromising performance.

Insulation

Insulation is another key. Most homes in Australia only meet the minimum requirements—which often aren’t enough to deliver real comfort in places like Jindabyne, where winters are long and nights are cold. At Lakeside, we specify insulation well beyond code, tailored to our alpine climate. That means thicker batts in the walls, under-slab insulation, and roof insulation that actually works.

Windows and doors are often the weakest point in a building envelope. That’s why we choose high-performance, double-glazed units with thermally broken frames. Not only do they reduce heat loss and gain—they also make your home quieter, more secure, and more comfortable.

All-electric

All-electric homes are a big part of the performance puzzle. By removing gas and relying on efficient electric systems—like heat pump hot water and reverse-cycle heating and cooling—we make it easy for our homes to be powered by renewable energy, whether it’s from the grid or from rooftop solar. It also means you’re future-proofed against rising gas prices and aligned with Australia’s long-term decarbonisation goals.

Healthier Homes

A high performing home is also healthier. Better air quality, reduced condensation and mould risk, fewer draughts, and less exposure to toxic materials all contribute to a home that supports your health—not undermines it. Especially in colder climates, a warm, dry, well-ventilated home is vital.

*Stay* by Lakeside’s major project partner, Brother Nature. Photography by Luke Kneller.

Does this all cost more?

It’s easy to think of high performance as a “premium” product—something only accessible to people with big budgets. But that’s a myth. Yes, it takes more thought and care to design and build this way. Yes, some materials and systems cost more upfront. But the payback is real, and it starts the day you move in. Lower energy bills. Fewer maintenance issues. A home that just feels better. And if you ever choose to sell, buyers are increasingly looking for energy-efficient homes.

We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel at Lakeside. We’re simply doing the right things, in the right order, with the right attention to detail.

Is a high performance home right for me? What do I need to do differently?

We care about performance because it’s better for people, better for communities, and better for the planet. When your home uses less energy, it places less strain on the grid. When it’s built from renewable materials like mass timber, it locks up carbon instead of emitting it. And when it’s designed to work with nature, not against it, it creates a lighter footprint—without compromising comfort or style.

We’ve seen firsthand how performance changes the way people feel in their homes. Visitors to our builds often comment on how quiet and calm the spaces feel. How warm they are without heaters running. How they just feel… better. That’s performance in action.

At Jindabyne Lakeside, we’ve made high performance our baseline. Every home is:

All-electric (no gas, no fossil fuels)
Airtight and ventilated for health and comfort
Highly insulated beyond minimum requirements
Optimised for solar gain and shading
Built with mass timber and other more sustainable materials
Ready for rooftop solar and battery storage

You shouldn’t have to be a building expert to know your home is performing. That’s our job. We do the research, set the standard, and deliver homes that quietly outperform the status quo. Whether you’re living here year-round, visiting on weekends, or investing for the future—your home will support you, protect you, and outperform expectations.

So when we talk about high performance, we’re not just talking about energy ratings. We’re talking about comfort. Integrity. Climate resilience. Long-term value. And doing things better—because that’s what the future demands, and what our communities deserve.

That’s what a high performing home means to us. That’s what we’re building at Lakeside.

High performing homes