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Design Heating demand 13.7 kWh/m2/yr
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Primary Energy Demand 28.7 kWh/m2/yr
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Renewable energy generation 26 kWh/m2/yr
Having commenced in February 2025, Knossington Passivhaus is under construction and will be one of Rutland’s first Certified Passivhaus projects. Designed with an annual heating demand of 13.7 kWh/m2/year, this contemporary timber frame bespoke home, which is nestled within the Braunston Conservation Area, will replace the existing energy-inefficient bungalow.
The building will utilise the MBC Larson truss twin stud wall system with cellulose insulation and insulated raft foundation, making it incredibly sustainable through its embodied materials. It will be dressed in natural ironstone and a natural slate roof with triple glazed aluminium windows. Internally, an HPV Series (heat pump ventilation) system will provide a comfortable and healthy indoor environment, including mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, energy efficient space heating, summer cooling and hot water.
The replacement dwelling was a planning triumph, with the application for this contemporary design sailing through planning at the first attempt. We worked closely with the local authority and Conservation Officer to demonstrate how the design will enhance the Conservation Area, and how particular design features, or actually a lack thereof, were necessary to help it achieve the Passivhaus standard.
Follow our blog for live updates on this project as it progresses through 2025.
Behind the scenes at Knossington Passivhaus
In the summer of 2025, we partnered with Gillan Williams to capture the inspiring story behind Knossington Passivhaus — an exceptional home that sets a new benchmark for sustainable living. Join homeowners Karen and Tony as they share their remarkable journey, while our own Tim Carter reveals how careful planning, intelligent design, and expert detailing brought this ambitious project to life — balancing the exacting Passivhaus standards with the unique challenges of building within a Conservation Area.
At the time of filming, the MBC Timber Frame had just been completed, with windows and doors installed ahead of the first airtightness test — which went on to achieve an outstanding result of just 0.56 air changes per hour at 50Pa.
This striking replacement dwelling, located in the Braunston Conservation Area, is targeting Passivhaus Plus certification and secured planning permission at the very first attempt, with no design changes required — a testament to the strength of the concept, collaboration, and execution.
