ACCREDITED PASSIVHAUS DESIGN

The Passivhaus approach to building design has been established for over 20 years, and over 30,000 certified buildings have been erected worldwide.

Passivhaus buildings provide supremely draught free thermal comfort with very low energy use and high air quality. Using a ‘fabric first’ approach, this includes:

• Well installed thermal insulation.
• Air tight and thermal bridge free construction.
• Efficient windows.
• Filtered, fresh air ventilation with recycled warmth.
• Site specific calculations of heat losses and gains.
• If required, heating systems can be very small and simple.

Typical fuel use can be about a quarter of 2012 Building Regulation requirements or a tenth of most existing homes.

Renewable technologies such as photovoltaic panels and ground source heat pumps are not necessary, and therefore a Passivhaus building should require minimal maintenance and replacement of services.

The high comfort levels and low fuel bills particularly benefit elderly people in Sheltered and Care accommodation. With fossil fuel prices rising, and pension returns uncertain, the Passivhaus approach is ideal for Care Homes, Extra Care Developments and Care Villages.

Consistent high air quality is especially appreciated in schools, as research has proven that fresh air improves educational attainment by pupils. Very reduced running costs are appreciated by governing bodies.

Following detailed research of completed Passivhaus buildings it has been shown that real-life energy performance is very close to the design stage predictions.

The same principles can be applied to existing buildings using the related EnerPHit standard.

Peter Ranken, our Associate responsible for Sustainable Design, is a Certified Passivhaus Designer, and can provide the following services:

• Building design using Passivhaus principles.
• Environmental assessment using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP).
• Thermal bridge modelling and calculations.

We also offer our Passivhaus services under the Accredited Passivhaus Design trading name.

Both The Tooley & Foster Partnership and Accredited Passivhaus Design are members of the Passivhaus Trust and the International Passivhaus Association (iPHA).

CURRENT SCHEMES:

• One of the first Passivhaus Extra Care schemes in Britain, containing more than 90 flats, has recently received planning consent.
• The design of a private house in Oxfordshire.

For further information please contact Peter Ranken – pranken@tooleyfoster.com