The woman changing the future of Australian home building

IN an industry long dominated by men, Jessica Farrell is proving that leadership, innovation and a commitment to excellence are what truly define success.

As co-founder of Zelena Homes, she is reshaping how Australians think about home construction, challenging outdated standards and building homes that are healthier, more energy-efficient and designed to last.

With a degree in business and a diploma in interior design, Jessica blends strategic thinking with creative vision.

Her expertise goes beyond construction – she works closely with clients to create homes that are as functional as they are beautiful.

“A home isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about how it feels to live in. Space, flow and functionality matter just as much as finishes,” she explained.

Jessica’s move into the building industry was driven by a simple but powerful realisation: most people weren’t enjoying the process of building their own homes.

“When my husband and I moved to Torquay six years ago, so many of our friends were frustrated by the experience. I couldn’t fathom it,” Jessica said.

“Building your dream home should be exciting, not stressful.”

But beyond the customer experience, she saw a bigger issue – Australian homes were being built inefficiently.

More than 70 per cent are rated under three stars for energy efficiency, and more than half suffer from mould due to poor moisture control.

Jessica and her team at Zelena Homes are raising the bar. Their homes are designed around the sun to maximise free energy, built with airtight construction to eliminate leaks, and use advanced moisture barriers to prevent mould.

“Australian homes are allowed to leak air at 15 air changes per hour (ACH), while most developed countries sit under 5 ACH,” Jessica said.

“That’s the difference between a home that maintains comfort and one that constantly leaks heating and cooling.”

Starting Zelena Homes while raising four children under five was no easy feat. “There’s never a perfect time to start a business; you just have to start,” Jessica said.

Late nights and early mornings became the norm, balancing motherhood with running a growing company.

“Sometimes you can’t make every social event because you’re knee-deep in design specifications. But if you want something enough, you find a way.”

She believes women bring an invaluable skill set to construction.

“You don’t have to change who you are to succeed; your strength lies in the very things that make you different.

“Organisation, communication, problem-solving – these aren’t just soft skills, they’re what transform businesses.”

From the first renovation in 2018 to managing multiple high-performance builds in 2025, Zelena Homes has grown rapidly.

But Jessica’s vision doesn’t stop here.

“We want to make high-performance homes the standard in Australia, not the exception,” she said.

“People deserve better homes – homes that work with the environment, not against it.”

Jessica Farrell is proving that real change in the building industry is about expertise, vision and the determination to do things better.

For more information, head to zelenahomes.com.au