‘BEYONd passivhaus’ - Family home, stroud

A nature-led new build Passivhaus+ family home and integrated landscape scheme to achieve net zero targets.

Location: Stroud

Type: New build, private

Passivhaus Standard: Passivhaus Plus

Status: Planning

Collaborators: Lichen Studio, EcoCocon

We are designing this family home, going beyond Passivhaus to achieve net zero, so that it will have minimal impact on both human and planetary health. The RIBA 2030 Challenge provides a stepped approach towards reaching net zero. To help achieve the targets set this project will meet Passivhaus Plus standard by employing Ecococon’s construction system along with a natural material palette and harnessing the existing eco-cycles on site.

The use of EcoCocon’s straw construction system provides high levels of thermal efficiency, which allows for onsite renewable energy generation to cover the minimal consumption of the house.

The natural material palette has been employed along with airtightness and ventilation detailing to create a healthy indoor climate, enhancing wellbeing and comfort for the residents.

To tackle embodied carbon, we have looked to select natural renewable materials that store carbon within the fabric of this building. EcoCocon uses modern methods of construction, which reduces the impact of wastage. Taking a cradle to cradle approach, the panels are designed for deconstruction to allow for proper processing at the end of building life.

This project will use rainwater collection and grey water recycling to reduce potable water use.

Working collaboratively with Lichen Studio landscape architects, we have followed permaculture principles and taken a holistic approach to the house and site. This project seeks to regenerate a former builder’s yard by enhancing the biodiversity of the site, with the house looking to harness the existing eco-cycles on site to achieve net zero. The use of a local, natural material palette and responsible massing and placement means that this project is visually integrated into its surroundings, sitting harmoniously on the site. Using biophilic design throughout the scheme has resulted in a family home and garden that is unified with nature.