Intro

Passive House principles combined with Dig Architect’s unique approach to insulation and airtightness - all outboard of structure - enable an easy to install, high performance ‘fabric’ which reduces heat loses whilst capturing the heat gains.  Carefully positioned overhangs and glazing, ensure the just the right amount of sun enters the house throughout the year, so rooms are bright and (thermally) comfortable all day long while being able to enjoy the dramatic views. 

The site is close to agricultural buildings, so the simple gable form of the house and timber cladding is a nod to its surroundings. The two ‘cut-outs’, to the South-East and North-West corners, provide various functional benefits whilst giving the building a dramatic modern appearance. The elegant detailing of the Cedar cladding provides a subtle beauty, that is robust, low maintenance and will last.

The structure is designed to minimise not only minimise environmental impact and cost but to increase flexibility. Pad foundations reduced the volume of concrete required (along with a reduced cement content specified) and support the repetitive glulam timber ‘goal posts’ above, which run around the perimeter of the timber frame house. The frame allows flexibility of glazing, overhangs, and internal and external walls.  

The ground floor is predominantly open plan, spaces ‘flow’ between one another; in-built furniture, and glazing, help define ‘places’. Rooms are flexible and adaptable, with moveable partitions, offering flexibility to suit the varying functional needs of family. Large high performance sliding doors enable the interior to spill out onto the deck, blurring the lines of inside and out. The habitable rooms (social, bedrooms) are positioned to the South of the house, on both levels, to maximise light and views, with circulation and ancillary spaces located to the north.

The house goes a step further than net zero (in operation) by generating a surplus of renewable energy, exporting more to grid than it imports. It only needs minimal heating, in the coldest of winter months, so running costs (and upfront capital costs) are low. The build cost was well below ‘industry norms’ for a building of this level of performance and finish quality.