Speak to a member of the team today
Tel: 01328 801536
Email: info@voidarchitecture.co.uk
Speak to a member of the team today
Tel: 01328 801536
Email: info@voidarchitecture.co.uk
Passivhaus construction is a methodology that significantly reduces energy requirements and increases comfort in a building through high levels of insulation, reduced thermal bridging, low air leakage, and constant mechanical fresh air provided through a heat exchanger.
Passivhaus (Passive House) is more than just a green building trend; it is a precision-engineered construction standard. By focusing on the building’s fabric insulation, airtightness, and high-performance glazing, a Passivhaus maintains a near-constant temperature year-round with almost no traditional heating or cooling.
The result? A home that uses up to 90% less energy for heating than a standard UK build, offering a future-proof solution to rising energy costs.
We are members of the Passivhaus Trust. We would be delighted to talk about using the methodology for any proposed building, new and existing, domestic or commercial.
The AECB Building Standard is aimed at those wishing to create high-performance buildings using widely available technology at little or no extra cost. We estimate that this low-risk option will reduce overall CO2 emissions by 70% compared to the UK average for buildings of each type. Individual self-builders and large-scale residential and non-residential developers could make a valuable contribution to a low-carbon building by meeting the AECB Building Standard.
Yes, but a very small one. Because the heat loss is so low, a simple towel rail or a small air-source heat pump is often all that is required to keep the home warm even in the depths of a Norfolk winter
While initial capital costs can be slightly higher due to the quality of components (windows, insulation, MVHR), these are offset by significantly lower utility bills and the long-term increased value of a high-performance asset.
Passivhaus (German for “Passive House”) is a rigorous construction standard focused on dramatically reducing a building’s energy demand. It achieves this through high levels of insulation, exceptional airtightness, elimination of thermal bridges, high-performance glazing, and a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system. The result is a home that stays warm in winter and cool in summer, using minimal energy to do so.
A certified Passivhaus uses up to 90% less energy for heating than a standard UK-built home. That’s a significant reduction in energy bills, and it becomes more valuable as energy prices continue to rise.
Yes, but a very modest one. Because heat loss is so low, something as simple as a towel rail or a small air-source heat pump is typically sufficient even during a Norfolk winter. There’s no need for a traditional central heating system.
There are some additional upfront costs, primarily due to higher-specification windows, insulation, and the MVHR system. However, these costs are offset over time through substantially lower energy bills. A Passivhaus is also a higher-value asset for buyers, and valuers increasingly recognise the quality and performance of these homes.
We are members of the Passivhaus Trust, the UK body that promotes and supports Passivhaus construction. We have hands-on experience designing to the standard and are well-versed in the methodology for both new builds and existing buildings.