When building a forever home, every detail matters. From architectural design and natural light to energy efficiency and future-ready technology, the best homes balance style with substance. In Episode 3 of Season 9 of Open Homes Australia, Energy Matters’ Roshan Ramnarain visits a stunning custom-built residence in Tarragindi, Brisbane, created by O’Shea & Sons Builders. Alongside showcasing the home’s impressive design features, the episode highlights a premium energy ecosystem from Fronius, featuring the Fronius GEN24 Plus hybrid inverter, Fronius Reserva battery, and Fronius Wattpilot Flex EV charger.
Together, these technologies help deliver a smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable way of living.
A modern Brisbane home designed for living
From the moment Roshan arrives, it is clear this is no ordinary home.
Designed through a collaboration between the homeowners, Calder Architects, and O’Shea & Sons Builders, the residence embraces a modern mid-century aesthetic. Bold white architectural lines are complemented by brickwork, timber features, and carefully selected materials that create a warm and welcoming street presence.
According to Nick O’Shea, the design process focused heavily on creating a home that reflected the owners’ lifestyle and personality. The result is a residence that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living, while providing multiple spaces for entertaining, relaxation, and family life.
Large expanses of glass flood the home with natural light, while strategically positioned openings and sliding doors encourage natural ventilation throughout Queensland’s warm climate. The home also features luxurious finishes, including striking stone surfaces, custom joinery, and carefully curated living spaces that connect effortlessly with the outdoor entertaining areas and pool.
Energy efficiency starts with smart design
While beautiful homes attract attention, the smartest homes are designed to perform efficiently year-round.
As Nick explains during the episode, energy efficiency begins long before solar panels are installed. Factors such as home orientation, roof design, window placement, and natural airflow all play a crucial role in reducing energy consumption.
Importantly, the home’s roof was designed with solar energy in mind, ensuring there was sufficient space and optimal positioning for a high-performing solar installation. This forward-thinking approach allows homeowners to maximise solar generation during the day while preparing for future energy needs such as battery storage and electric vehicle charging.
Why Fronius was chosen for this project
To deliver a premium energy solution worthy of the home, O’Shea & Sons partnered with Brisbane-based installer MC Electrical and Fronius Australia.
MC Electrical Director Mark Cavanagh explained that his team has been installing solar systems for nearly two decades and continues to choose Fronius because of its proven reliability and long-term performance.
For homeowners investing in a high-quality custom build, reliability matters. A solar inverter is often referred to as the brain of a solar power system, managing energy production, battery charging, energy consumption, and grid interaction. Choosing a trusted inverter brand can help ensure consistent performance for many years.
Fronius GEN24 Plus hybrid inverter
At the centre of the installation is the Fronius GEN24 Plus hybrid inverter.
Described by Fronius Australia as its flagship residential product, the GEN24 Plus combines solar generation, battery integration, energy management, and backup power capabilities into a single platform.
Key features of the Fronius GEN24 Plus include:
- Hybrid inverter functionality
- Compatibility with DC-coupled battery storage
- Advanced energy management tools
- Backup power capabilities
- Smart monitoring and control
- Optimisation for self-consumption
Patrick Pragasam from Fronius Australia explains that the GEN24 Plus helps homeowners use their energy more efficiently by intelligently managing solar generation, battery storage, and household consumption. This can reduce reliance on the grid while delivering significant electricity bill savings.
The system also provides additional energy resilience when paired with battery storage, helping households maintain access to power during grid outages.
Fronius Reserva battery
Connected to the GEN24 Plus is the Fronius Reserva battery system.
Battery storage allows excess solar energy generated during the day to be stored and used later when the sun is no longer shining. Rather than exporting all surplus solar energy to the grid, homeowners can retain more of their clean energy and use it during the evening peak period.
Benefits of the Fronius Reserva battery include:
- Increased solar self-consumption
- Reduced electricity bills
- Greater energy independence
- Backup power functionality when paired with compatible systems
- Seamless integration with the GEN24 Plus platform
As electricity prices continue to rise across Australia, battery storage is becoming an increasingly attractive option for homeowners seeking greater control over their energy costs.
Fronius Wattpilot Flex EV charger
Completing the system is the Fronius Wattpilot Flex EV charger.
As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, many homeowners are looking for ways to charge their vehicles using solar energy generated on-site. The Wattpilot Flex is designed to intelligently manage EV charging, allowing homeowners to make better use of excess solar production and reduce charging costs.
Key benefits include:
- Solar-optimised EV charging
- Intelligent charging management
- Dynamic adjustment of charging power
- Integration with the wider Fronius energy ecosystem
- Greater utilisation of self-generated renewable energy
When combined with solar and battery storage, EV charging can become a natural extension of a home’s overall energy strategy.
Building homes for the future
The Tarragindi project demonstrates how thoughtful design and smart technology can work together to create a home that is both beautiful and practical. From its light-filled interiors and seamless indoor-outdoor connection to its advanced Fronius energy system, the home has been designed for modern Australian living.
By combining the Fronius GEN24 Plus hybrid inverter, Fronius Reserva battery, and Fronius Wattpilot Flex EV charger, the homeowners have created an integrated energy solution that helps reduce electricity costs, improve energy independence, and prepare for an increasingly electrified future.
As more Australians embrace solar power, battery storage, and electric vehicles, solutions like these are helping transform homes from simple energy consumers into intelligent energy hubs.
