Vowchurch Passivhaus

Dempsey Decourcy Architects were recently commissioned by their self-builder clients to design a 4-bed low cost Passivhaus in a modern and contemporary style. This project uses almost the same details as the team’s previous project Ty Pren Passivhaus but with the challenge of a tighter budget and an opportunity to go for a modern contemporary look. Green Building Store supplied the PROGRESSION windows, PAUL Novus 300 MVHR systems and Pro Clima airtightness tapes for the project. 21°s MVHR Design service also provided ventilation design.

Cost-effective Passivhaus

Mike Whitfield Construction worked to a tight budget of approx. £1000/m2 to complete a masterly crafted Passivhaus building envelope shell. Internal fittings (including plumbing, electrics, plasterboard and joinery) are to be completed by the self-builder clients.

The design team and contractor worked hard to develop an efficient/innovative and cost effective I-beam timber frame construction that was fast and accurate to erect on site. The wall and roof insulation zones are fully filled with recycled Warmcel insulation and the concrete floor slab floats on EPS insulation avoiding thermal bridges and providing a beautiful/robust and cost effective floor finish when polished. A preliminary airtightness test was carried out at the completion of the building envelope (including fully installed windows and doors) The results came in at 0.26ACH-1 @50PA .

A simple and limited palette of external materials was used for a sympathetic rural aesthetic. The external walls are clad with locally sourced douglas fir and the roof is covered with a cost effective/crisp aluzinc corrugation, which is used in conjunction with aluzinc gutters and downpipes.

Passivhaus-certified windows

21°’s PROGRESSION windows and doors were specified to complement the minimal look of the new build and for their high quality of thermal insulation and airtightness which are supplied on a very cost-effective basis.

The self builder clients will complete a bespoke internal fit out including the services/wall finishes/fixtures and fittings. The project has been designed and built to the Passivhaus standard and is expected to be submitted for certification on completion.

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)

21° also supplied and designed the MVHR system at the project, with a PAUL Novus 300 MVHR unit being specified.

In addition to supplying the windows and MVHR systems, the project also used Pro Clima airtightness tapes from 21°.