Passive House

Plectic House – complexity made simple

Our new, ultra-low cost, ultra simple Passive House and Artist's Studio has just been awarded planning permission in the London Borough of Southwark. The timber framed house will have light-filled interiors of natural materials with uncompromisingly raw finishes. It will demonstrate the common sense in simple detailing, low-cost construction and healthy, comfortable living.

This study compares the comfort conditions in November 2012 inside the unheated Passive House Mayville Community Centre, with conditions in two heated, un-insulated post war flats on the Mayville Estate.

Not a single penny has been spent on heating so far this year at the Mildmay Centre (formerly the Mayville Community Centre) yet the indoor temperatures throughout the building remain very, very comfortable at between 21 and 22 degrees centigrade.

Why aren't all new buildings built like this and why isn't government mobilising a massively overdue mass-retrofit in the UK in order to save money, save energy, reduce carbon emissions, save the planet, and create new jobs in a new green economy? Wake up UK government! WAKE UP!

Planning permission has just been awarded for our new, single-family mews home in the London Borough of Camden, which will be our second Passive House in the borough.

Our client at Coombe Farm has sent us a photo of progress on site of his self-build project. The building, a converted Dairy Barn is part of a small collection of buildings designed by bere:architects around a several hundred year old thatch cottage and is being constructed to the Passive House standard.

There’s something magical about the lantern like quality in the darkness. A beacon project for others to follow! Keep up the good work James!

The cost analysis template has been designed by quantity surveyor Richard Whidborne of e-Griffin Consulting in collaboration with bere:architects as part of their Passive House Cost Project (PHCP), to enable all cost data to be analysed in a consistent recognisable manner. This template is based very closely on the RICS New Rules of Measurement: Order of Cost Estimating and Elemental Cost Planning for Capital Building Works (second edition).

The conference exists to spread learning between all those who are interested in the field of low energy building design in the UK. It will include case studies, site visits, workshops, debate, an exhibition of Passivhaus products and numerous networking opportunities.