NEWBUILD PASSIVHAUS

The project is a healthy, low energy new build house near Stroud, Gloucestershire. The key objective is for that building provides a regenerative, non-toxic living environment to reduce the applicants on-going multiple chemical sensitivity (msc) condition.

Healthy and low-energy design principles

The buildings orientation maximises natural daylighting within the house enhancing a sense of wellbeing. The eco-minimalist approach and the resource efficient shape of the building reduces the buildings impact on the natural environment.

Internally it is essential that the house establishes a healthy indoor climate and we seek to explore various construction approaches that are in particular chemically inert and free from organic solvent borne treatments.

Concept design

The proposed 4-bedroom scheme is approximately 150m2 in total. The placement of the windows and the building itself seek to have minimal impact on the neighbouring properties. The design considers planning policies in terms of privacy, rights to light and sustainable design We consider that the initial design schematic offers both a nod to the local vernacular whilst the shape offers an energy efficient form factor. The external building envelope seeks to employ a pallete of natural and vernacular materials such as local Cotswold stone and timber cladding. The building seeks to sit comfortably below its woodland setting offering a distinct piece of sustainable architecture which is sympathetic to the local vernacular.

Passivhaus PHPP energy modelling by Tim Martel http://optimalretrofit.co.uk