Reclaimed roof tiles on the steeply pitched roof and larch boarding over the timber frame walls give this house the air of a traditional Suffolk cottage, but also shrink its carbon footprint. Behind the tradtional looks is a traditional townhouse layout, but a heating and ventialtion strategy that conforms to the German Passivhaus standard.

Design

The house welcomes visitors with a generous porch area that can shelter a car or bike. The open plan living space on the ground floor has an airy, generous feel thanks to the double-height space created by an open stair lobby. Upsatirs, a gallery space with views over the living area leads to two bedrooms and a utility space. On the first floor landing there is an option of a study area semi-open to the stair void, or a fourth bedroom that can be entirely closed off with a fold and stack door. The ensuite master bedroom is tucked under the eaves on the second floor.

Technical

External blinds on the south-facing windows to control solar gain in summer
Winter heating provided by a heat pump that uses geothermal energy to heat the air that then passes through ventilation ducts
A 4 sqm evacuated glass tube solar panel will provide 100% of the house’s hot water requirements

Innovation

A vertical axis wind turbine is incorporated into the fabric of the building.

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