Eco-Homes
Energy efficiency is key to any genuinely sustainable building design and our minimum standard is AECB Building Standard. All our new-build projects are to the Passivhaus (Passive House) standard. Whilst this focusses on comfort, health and energy use we also consider materials and water efficiency and many other aspects of sustainable design. With all our projects, we take summer comfort very seriously. This is something that is so often overlooked in a climate that we do not associate with heat!
Slate Cottage, Herefordshire 2015
This Passivhaus with Dempsey Decourcey Architects and Mike Whitfield Construction started on site, spring 2015. The construction system and detailing is almost the same as for Ty Pren but with an even smaller budget and a more contemporary design. Corrugated Aluzinc replaces reused welsh slate for the roof but the proposed charred timber cladding was thought to be a step too far for the neighbours. The clients did an excellent job completing the interior themselves saving costs and personalising the build. The budget was about £1000/m² for an air and weather tight insulated shell ready to fit out. The preliminary air test result was 0.26 airchanges at 50Pa.
Bishops Castle Passivhaus 2018
Breaking ground in November 2018 another cost effective timber Passivhaus by architect Charles Grylls. The house is on a serviced plot with the garden to the west and a neighbour to the south. This required some clever optimisation to ensure good views and daylight without compromising summer comfort. Modelling the design in PHPP (Passivhaus software) from the start made this possible. We also used 3D daylight modelling. The project is a self-build with passivhaus builder Dai Rees leading the team on site.
The n50 airtightness result of 0.08 ACH is one of the best in the UK.
Old Holloway Cottage Herefordshire 2017-2018
Architect self builder Juraj Mikircik has created a superb award winning Passivhaus home using the ECOCOCON pre-fabricated straw construction system.
Services design by Alan Clark and main construction by Mike Whitfield. Juraj did his own Passivhaus consultancy but we provided informal advice and full design and supervision for the septic tank system on this tight sloping site. We also provided a range of energy efficient lighting including an opening copper pendant light. You can read more on his excellent blog.
Ty Casim, Passivhaus in Brecon Beacons National Park 2016
Architect Adrian Cook has created a beautiful contemporary home that sits comfortably with the historic buildings around it. The North elevation (see photo) faces the street allowing the larger windows to face the excellent view to the South. The reclaimed Welsh slate roof and lime render provide a traditional outer skin for a completely modern home built to the Passivhaus standard. This is no pastiche, just quality materials well detailed. The Progression Passivhaus windows have no visible frame avoiding the temptation to add glazing bars and other fake details.
As with Slate Cottage below, the building was completed to ‘lock up’ by Mike Whitfield Construction and achieved an excellent (preliminary) airtightness test result of 0.18 ach @ 50Pa. The owner will complete the fit out including electrics and plumbing with help from friends.
Woodhouse Passivhaus Presteigne 2018
This one and a half storey timber Passivhaus by architect Charles Grylls nestles into the hillside. The timber cladding was painted by the owners using mineral paint. The Aluminium zinc roof provides a low cost solution perfectly in keeping with the barn above but with no pretence of referencing the local vernacular.
Construction to lock-up by Mike Whitfield Construction and mechanical and electrical design by Alan Clarke. Pelmet, wall and floor standing task lights by Locklamp.
Sarn Rural Council Housing for Powys
Affordable housing development for Powys Council. Designed with architect Adrian Cook to meet the Passivhaus standard. Prototype designs for two-storey terraced houses and semi-detached bungalows. The site masterplan was developed for a greenfield site in North Powys. The scheme was delivered by local contractor Pave Aways.
Blaenffos Owner-Build Passivhaus On site February 2017
The owner constructed this low-budget Passivhaus home with the help of two local carpenters and was inspired to become a full time builder of Passivhaus homes! Working with Architect Charles Grylls we were able to provide simple but detailed plans with almost all junctions fully detailed and proven from previous buildings. Initially sceptical of the minimalist details, the builders now say that it would be an easy and quick way to build any house, Passiv or otherwise. The site is a 3 hour drive away but site visits have not been required. Emailed progress photos and the occasional call or text has been all the supervision required.
Architect Charles Grylls strikes a pose in the driving rain, March 29th 2017. The windows installed but are covered by house wrap awaiting a dry day to expose them.
The owner’s tastes and a very tight budget means this will be another tin roofed, local-timber-clad example. A dead ash tree from the site has been planked and will be used for interior carpentry including stairs. The outstanding n50 airtightness result of 0.09 ACH is nearly seven times better than that required for Passivhaus certification.
Ty Pren, Herefordshire 2015
This project with Dempsey Decourcey Architects was built by Mike Whitfield Construction and completed in summer 2015. The design is simple and to a tight budget but with some lovely details and superb quality thanks to Mike and his team. The innovative timber construction method has been developed with Charles Grylls and Mike Whitfield over a number of 
projects allowing high quality and cost certainty.
As with all his projects, Charles has helped the clients design their own home.
Building services design by Alan Clarke is, as ever, simple but highly efficient with the building doing much of the work. Alan evaluated a number of heating options within the tight budget. The very low heat demand meant that LPG bottle gas was the cheapest option for this village home away from mains gas. (The final airtightness test was 0.16 ach at 50Pa.)
Architect Charles Grylls and builder Mike Whitfield have collaborated on many projects.
Hope View House 2017
This RIBA award winning 3 bed single storey Passivhaus by Warren Benbow Architects started on site in January 2016. It is a bold but simple design bermed into a South facing bank. With thousands of trees planted, the building is designed to be almost invisible but with a dramatic view out. Heating is by ground source heat pump that simply keeps the concrete floor a degree or so above room temperature.
The South facade is fully glazed but solar gain is controlled by the deep overhang to ensure excellent summer comfort.
Built by Covenhope Construction Limited, M&E design by Alan Clarke and structural design by Allan Pierce.
Ledbury Passivhaus 2012
PHPP, Therm , design details and site support for a selfbuild Passive House in Ledbury. design by Janet Cotterell constructed by Mike Whitfield Construction. Completed May 2012. Building services design by Alan Clarke. Certified October 2012. Wall and floor lights by LockLamp.com
St Katherine’s Fields Eco-Homes 2012
Seven eco homes near Worcester built to the AECB Silver Standard. Design by Architype, lead architect Charles Grylls and built by IE Developments Hereford. We provided energy design advice and PHPP modelling as well as site support and detailing. This was the first project to receive AECB Silver certification.
Clehonger Passivhaus 2012
A cost efficient single family timber frame Passivhaus designed and built by Mike Whitfield Construction with Architectural design input from Howard Meadowcroft and building services by Alan Clarke. We provided PHPP and design detail mentoring as well as design of the septic tank system and evaluation of water efficiency options. Greywater heat recovery was evaluated but rejected. Wall lights by LockLamp.
Passivhaus Home & Artist’s Studio Near Borth 2012
Elemental Solutions provided Passivhaus energy modelling and design consultancy including site supervision for the Architects. Building services design by Alan Clarke and ground source heat pump by John Cantor. We also carried out site investigations and advised on wastewater disposal.
Lancaster Co-Housing 2012
Cost effective family housing to the Passivhaus standard with Eco-Arc and Alan Clarke. We provided Passivhaus design advice, PHPP modelling and detailed building services design for this 40+ dwelling co housing development using cavity wall construction. We provided practical detailing, Therm analysis of thermal bridges, site supervision and thermography to identify issues during construction. The project has undergone extensive post occupancy evaluation.
You can find more information on ecoarc’s website here.
Withy Cottage Straw Bale Eco-Home 2002
The self designed and built ‘eco-home’ and the office for Elemental Solutions. Superinsulated, local timber frame with straw bale and cellulose insulation. Far from Passivhaus due to the poor form factor but a valuable lesson and turning point. Listed on the AECB Low Energy Buildings Database More information soon.