Passivhaus is an international energy performance standard that is truly energy efficient. Passivhaus buildings provide a high level of occupant comfort while using very little energy for heating and cooling.

Passivhaus buildings are built with meticulous attention to detail through rigorous design and construction, and delivered according to principles developed by the Passivhaus Institute in Germany which is certified through an exacting quality assurance process.

They achieve a 75% reduction in space heating requirements, compared to standard practice for a UK new build house. Such notable reductions in energy consumption are primarily achieved by adopting a fabric first approach to the design, specifying a highly insulated thermal envelope with exceptional levels of airtightness and the use of whole house mechanical ventilation.

This scheme comprises five 4 and 5 bedroomed homes at a site set within the landscaped grounds of a Grade II* listed hall in Cheshire. We have retained the character of a loose cluster of buildings, set around a communal courtyard, each with its own private courtyard. The site layout and orientation of the buildings has been carefully considered to respect the heritage asset and estate grounds, and has optimised the site in relation to Passivhaus principles.

Building to Passivhaus Standards through this fabric first approach inherently delivers highly energy efficient homes which by far exceed current Building Regulations. We pushed the boundaries of zero carbon living by adding additional renewable energy sources to further reduce the carbon footprint of this development.