Passivhaus
Passivhaus buildings provide a high level of occupant comfort, while using very little energy. The ‘Fabric First’ approach will achieve a premium standard of construction, superb comfort, a quiet and calm space, even temperatures throughout and low running costs.
A Passivhaus is built with meticulous attention to detail; rigorous design, high-quality construction and quality scrutinised components. These principles have been developed by the Passivhaus Institute in Germany and can be certified through an exacting quality assurance process.
Passivhaus is a ‘Performance Standard’ and therefore can work with traditional or contemporary designs, either residential or commercial.
Advantages of Passivhaus:
- High levels of thermal comfort – the temperature is consistent in all corners of all rooms throughout the year.
- Low energy costs – particularly the heating.
- Environmentally friendly – low energy use and long lifespan of the building.
- Healthy environment – particularly the air quality.
- No drafts – drafts are uncomfortable and can make the interior of a building feel 2 degrees colder.
- Low levels of noise – almost no external sound transfer.
- Energy security – generally it is accepted that energy costs will rise in the future.
- Enhanced lifespan of the building – due to the quality of the construction.
- Enhanced value – potentially enhanced value of the building.
Principles of Passivhaus:
- Compact building form – the ratio between surface area and volume is minimised for efficiency.
- Super insulation – a continuous thermal envelope and high levels of insulation to minimise heat loss.
- MVHR – Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, minimising heat loss whilst providing fresh air.
- Fenestration – High quality triple glazed PH standard doors and windows.
- Glazing – orientated to optimise winter solar gain.
- Shading – to prevent summer overheating.
- Thermal bridges – thermal bridge free construction.
- Air barrier – continuous air barrier preventing any drafts.
If you have a project that would benefit from our passion for architectural design and desire for sustainable high quality low energy construction, then we would love to talk with you.
Below is a list of some UK Passivhaus projects that we love.
- Carrowbreck Meadow Norwich
- Oak frame Lakehouse Gloucestershire
- Diagram showing the basic principles of PH
- Hadlow College Kent
- Social houses Wimbish, Essex
The links below will detail more information about the principles. If you would like to commision a Passivhaus building we would love to talk with you.
Links:
Passivhaus Trust (UK) – http://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/
Passivhaus Institute (International) – http://passivehouse.com/
BRE (Building Research Establishment) – https://www.bregroup.com/a-z/the-passivhaus-standard/