Apple Yard: On Site

Stroud, Gloucestershire, RIBA Stage 5

South Elevation, CGI courtesy of Studio CHY

New build bio-based Passivhaus & integrated resilient garden

Our vision for the new home at Apple Yard is to demonstrate what becomes possible when low-impact architecture is integrated with regenerative landscape design.

The project is being developed to:

  • use bio-based, renewable materials

  • target Passivhaus Plus performance

  • generate clean, renewable energy

  • apply Cradle to Cradle and circular-economy principles

  • support biodiversity and natural ecological cycles

  • work towards net-zero operational carbon

From material selection to energy, water and microclimate, the design brings the building and landscape together as one interconnected system.

The project is guided by four natural systems: Water. Air. Solar. Earth.

South Elevation & naturalised front gardens, CGI courtesy of Studio CHY

Ecological thinking is embedded into every design decision.

Apple Yard aims to move beyond reducing environmental impact and towards creating a home that actively supports people, biodiversity and adaptation to a changing climate.

A Collaborative Approach

Apple Yard is being developed with a multidisciplinary team bringing together expertise in Ecological architecture, Passivhaus & Permaculture design. The list includes forest gardening, Waterwise & resilient garden design, drainage & structural engineering,and renewable energy.

Meet the Team:

Ecological Architecture & Edible Landscapes
Deb Bathurst-Elliott RIBA, Tomas Remiarz & Rowan Schofield,
Forest Gardening in Practice

Landscape Architecture (RIBA Stage 1–3)
Lichen Studio
Passive House, Stroud – Lichen Studio

Structural Engineers
Momentum Engineering – Beth Williams
Momentum Engineering

Drainage Engineer

7 Engineering company - Tony Goff
https://7-engineering.co.uk/people.html

Passivhaus Consultant
Tim Martel
Passive House modelling via PHPP and PHribbon (carbon counting)

Material Strategy
Informed by Circular Economy and Cradle to Cradle principles
Main wall system: EcoCocon® – prefab timber-straw panels, Passivhaus certified
Technical support: George Mikurcik
EcoCocon

Energy Strategy
Cotswold Energy
Cotswold Energy
Renewable generation and storage to meet Passivhaus Plus criteria

Main Contractor

https://dovetail.ltd 

FURTHER PROJECTS INCLUDE:

RETROFIT (ENERPHIT) AND EXTENSIONS TO PASSIVHAUS

THE LEYS

COSMOS

WHITEHALL

GREEN STREET

SEVERNSIDE

HILLVIEW

HORSLEY

COTSWOLD TOWNHOUSE

ST STEPHENS MANOR