Why Small Pocket Spaces Can Derail Your BASIX and NatHERS Compliance
- Sarah Campbell
- Oct 11, 2025
- 2 min read
When it comes to BASIX and NatHERS assessments for new homes, most people assume the big spaces like open-plan living areas, bedrooms, or glazing-heavy rooms will be the hardest to get right. But in practice, one of the most common reasons projects fall short of compliance is far less obvious.
It’s the small pocket spaces.
Think hallways, butler's pantries, walk-in linen cupboards, and internal robes. These “bonus” areas may seem harmless in design, but they play an outsized role in whether your project reaches that all-important 7 star NatHERS rating or ticks the BASIX certificate requirements in NSW.
Why do pocket spaces matter in BASIX and NatHERS assessments?
Here’s the catch: under assessment rules, these spaces are treated as daytime zones, just like a hallway. That means they are modelled as conditioned spaces, drawing energy and affecting how the home performs overall.
The problem is, pocket spaces are usually centrally located in a design, often without windows, natural ventilation, or solar orientation. That makes them high-demand areas in the model, pulling load from the adjoining living rooms and bedrooms.
In other words: more pocket spaces = higher energy use = lower star ratings.
A real project example
Recently, I worked on a family home design that just couldn’t break through the 7 star barrier. On paper, the project ticked all the right boxes: the living areas were north-facing, insulation was solid, and glazing was within limits.
But the rating still fell short.
When we dug into the model, the issue became clear. A long central hallway was feeding into multiple walk-in storage spaces, none with ventilation. These were dragging the thermal performance down across the whole home.
By reworking the hallway design and consolidating some of those enclosed spaces, the home comfortably reached compliance without sacrificing the client’s vision.
How to design smarter for compliance
If you’re an architect, builder, or homeowner planning a new build, here are some practical steps to avoid pocket-space headaches:
Limit unnecessary enclosed areas – do you really need three walk-in robes?
Consider natural ventilation – where possible, connect these spaces to external walls.
Review early – catching these issues at the design stage saves time and redesign costs later.
Balance with performance goals – remember that BASIX, NatHERS, and Whole of Home assessments look at the entire home, not just individual rooms.
How Studio Terra helps
At Studio Terra, we specialise in making BASIX, NatHERS, and Whole of Home compliance simple and stress-free. Our role is to spot the hidden problem areas early and provide straightforward solutions that keep projects on track without compromising comfort or design.
Whether you’re chasing a BASIX certificate in NSW, aiming for a 7 star NatHERS rating, or preparing for Whole of Home compliance, we can guide you through with practical, nature-led strategies that deliver results.
Conclusion
Pocket spaces may seem small in size, but their impact on compliance is huge. By rethinking how these areas are designed, you can improve your energy performance, avoid delays, and move forward with confidence.
Talk to Studio Terra today about how we can support your project with clear, practical sustainability advice that makes compliance simple.
