This summer, work was completed on the Enterprise Centre at the University of East Anglia, which might just be the most sustainable large building ever constructed in Britain.
Ecological passive house built on tight budget
Written by John Hearne
Despite some setbacks, this passive house in Roscommon managed to meet the passive house standard for fairly standard costs — all while emphasising natural materials like untreated timber, cellulose and sheep’s wool.
West Cork passive farmhouse mixes build methods
Written by John Cradden
This striking new-build passive house combines a traditional farmhouse form with ultra-low energy performance and a spectacular location – using two different forms of masonry construction
This issue’s international selection features an embassy in Indonesia, an educational building in South Korea, an experimental solar-powered house in France, and social housing in Philadelphia.
Mechanical ventilation and IAQ - what the evidence reveals
Written by Kate de Selincourt
As previously revealed in Passive House Plus, the evidence appears to indicate that natural ventilation systems don’t adequately ventilate our homes. But does mechanical ventilation perform any better?
Private Enerphit homes come to London rental market
Written by Lenny Antonelli
Grosvenor’s upgrade of two historic properties in Belgravia brings high-end passive housing to Westminster.
This 1960s Galway home was turned into a passive house - and is costing just €55 per year to heat.
Norfolk social housing hits passive for standard costs
Written by Lenny Antonelli
Twelve units in Great Yarmouth deliver low energy bills and comfort for new tenants using patented timber frame system.
New London classroom brings passive comfort to school prefabs
Written by Lenny Antonelli
PassivClass, a new passive-certified modular classroom in London, aims to end the days of cold and draughty school prefabs – including a structure made from reclaimed materials.
Red brick Surrey home becomes an unintentional passive house
Will South, Cocreate
The team behind this Surrey home intended to use it as a test-bed for passive house design and construction, without necessarily expecting to achieve certification. But as the house neared completion, they realised that they were within touching distance of the coveted low energy standard.
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Ecological Lake District passive house generates its own electricity
Written by Kate de Selincourt
This new home in Cumbria not only meets the passive house standard, it embraces natural and recycled materials and produces its own electricity — and achieved it all on a ‘shoestring’ budget.
This new Dungannon home shuns conventional passive house design and embraces the late 19th century Arts and Crafts movement.
Passive research centre acts as living showcase for green tech
Written by John Hearne
A new research centre in Northern Ireland could stake a claim as being one of the greenest buildings on these islands. Not only is it passive, it boasts a whole suite of ecological features, and aims to be at the cutting edge in the research and development of new sustainable and renewable technologies.
The builder's view - why passive house doesn't cost extra
Written by Paul Doran
With this passive house in Co Kildare, father-and-son building team Pat and Paul Doran of Pat Doran Construction Ltd prove that meeting the strict low energy standard can be done for even less than a ‘normal’ build – to the tune of a €20,000 reduction in build costs compared to the Department of the Environment’s suggested compliance approach.