LOW ENERGY SERVICES: Passivhaus and Active House Design Consultants
Passivhaus and Active House Design
With extensive experience in Passivhaus and low-energy buildings (such as this Active House building in Newhaven), LEAF and Stickland Wright are well-equipped to design to Passivhaus standards. We use tools like PHPP software (Passivhaus Planning Package) and collaborate with accredited Passivhaus Certifiers to ensure cost-effective, high-performance results.
What is Passivhaus
Passivhaus is a high-performance building standard focused on maximising comfort while minimising energy use. Key features include:
- Superior Insulation to maintain stable indoor temperatures.
- Airtight Construction to prevent drafts and heat loss.
- High-Performance Windows & Doors for better insulation.
- Ventilation with Heat Recovery to maintain fresh air and conserve heat.
- Passive Solar Design to maximise natural heating.
- Minimal Thermal Bridges to prevent heat escape.
- Energy-Efficient Appliances to reduce overall consumption.
Though construction costs may be higher, Passivhaus buildings offer long-term energy savings and superior comfort.
How can we help?
Many people are aware of the term Passivhaus and it is seen as a mark of excellence for low-energy design. This is true, and it is achieved through a detailed understanding of how the building fabric performs. It is important to note that the focus is on performance, rather than the specific use of sustainable materials.
If you would like to achieve Passivhaus accreditation, then it is best to make this decision at the very outset of your project. In this way, every aspect of the design can be tailored to maximise your chances of success. For instance, building orientation is a VERY important consideration within Passivhaus design and this may be one of the very first design choices you make. We can help you by guiding you through every aspect of the design process, advising on those measures which will offer most benefit from a low-energy design consideration.
Our process for Active House accreditation is very similar, although Active Houses also consider many other factors. These include wider sustainability goals, such as low embodied carbon in the specification of materials used.
Get in touch to find out how we can help with your Passivhaus or Active House project.