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Passivhaus doesn’t have to be complicated. And it certainly shouldn’t be intimidating.
Yesterday we were on site in Worcester, visiting this impressive three-storey home which we designed to meet the Passivhaus Classic standard. Our clients are experienced builders, so they understand the importance of getting the details right. But what’s particularly great about this project is how enthusiastically they’ve embraced the combination of Passivhaus performance and contemporary design. The result will be a home that isn’t just striking to look at, but comfortable,

Tim Carter
Sep 112 min read


Planning. Budget. Overheating. Three of the biggest worries for anyone thinking about building their own home.
We hear them all the time. “Will we get planning permission?” “Will our new home overheat?” “Can we actually afford to build what we want?” And while every self-build project is unique, these are questions that should be addressed from the outset. At Habitat+ Architects, we combine creative architectural design with practical, real-world experience to tackle these challenges from the very beginning. We look carefully at the opportunities and constraints of your site — from pl

Tim Carter
Sep 112 min read


A Passivhome
We’re delighted to share a few photographs of our completed Knossington Passivhaus project in Rutland, which was completed just before Christmas last year. It’s wonderful to see the garden now taking shape – not an easy year to do this in - and to see the house beginning to feel like a home rather than a building site. The replacement dwelling was a planning success, with this contemporary design securing planning permission at the first attempt. We worked closely with the

Tim Carter
Aug 262 min read


Low-energy homes with life-changing impact
At Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, low-energy sustainable architecture is doing far more than providing shelter - it is helping create stability, dignity and healthier futures for people experiencing homelessness. Working alongside forward-thinking housing association Fairhive Homes, this recently-completed project delivered seven Passivhaus-standard homes designed specifically to support vulnerable occupants through exceptional comfort, low running costs and healthier indoor envi

Tim Carter
May 101 min read


The benefit of energy independence
For self-builders, energy independence is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but instead is becoming essential. Recent global events have shown just how exposed our homes are to political events outside of our control: the ongoing conflict in the middle east has already driven sharp increases in oil and gas prices, with knock-on effects for UK households through rising energy bills. At Habitat+ Architects, we see Passivhaus as a direct response to this uncertainty. The approach is s

Tim Carter
Mar 252 min read


This house is a Certified Passivhaus.
We’re proud to share that our latest completed project on Knossington Road in Braunston, Rutland has been officially certified as a Passivhaus Classic by the Passivhaus Institut. Performance highlights: Heating demand: 15 kWh/m²a Overheating frequency: 0% Airtightness: 0.56 ach @ 50pa Renewable energy generation: 31 kWh/m²a (from 24 solar panels) EPC rating: 98A The result is a bespoke home that maintains a comfortable indoor temperature all year round — whether it’s a he

Tim Carter
Mar 31 min read


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

Tim Carter
Jan 181 min read


A Passivhaus isn’t just for Christmas
We were delighted to see our Knossington Passivhaus project completed not only in time for Christmas, but exactly as planned, allowing our wonderful clients to move in and enjoy the festive season in their new home. Through meticulous preparation and careful coordination, we brought this project to life while avoiding major pitfalls and setbacks. This approach enabled our clients to enjoy the journey and become involved wherever they wished. With an impressive EPC rating of 9

Tim Carter
Jan 121 min read


Officer and Member training at Wychavon planning department
It was a pleasure and an honour to be invited by Carl Brace to present to the planning officers and committee members at the Wychavon...

Tim Carter
Oct 3, 20251 min read


A perfect balance
A home that’s comfortable all year round, with minimal energy bills? Let’s talk about how we can make it a reality for your project....

Tim Carter
Sep 24, 20251 min read


How to avoid five common building project mistakes which will compromise your ambitions before you've even begun
There are often pitfalls which prevent any building project from maximising its potential. We’ve assembled our top five, and how we...

Tim Carter
Sep 21, 20253 min read


Anchorage, a Certified Passivhaus Classic
Last week ended with a bang as we received Certification from the Passivhaus Institute (PHI) for our Anchorage project, a certificate...

Tim Carter
Jul 14, 20251 min read


Keeping cool at our Passivhaus Open Days
It was brilliant to see so many new and familiar faces at both of our Passivhaus Open Days this weekend. Those who have visited the...

Tim Carter
Jul 1, 20251 min read


Want to see a Passivhaus being built?
We are thrilled that our Knossington project is part of the Passivhaus Open Days 2025: Summer Edition. Knossington Passivhaus is under...

Tim Carter
Jun 24, 20251 min read


This is Anchorage Passivhaus, want to see it?
The Anchorage is a carefully crafted, innovative and pre-fabricated contemporary Passivhaus set in the heart of the Wyre Piddle...

Tim Carter
Jun 23, 20251 min read


Double the fun at the Passivhaus Open Days 2025
This summer we are delighted to showcase two projects at the Passivhaus Open Days. Whether you are planning a Passivhaus project of your...

Tim Carter
Jun 2, 20251 min read


This journey is just beginning
The journey is just beginning at Knossington Passivhaus. It’s not often that we see a garden sculpted before the house is built, but this...

Tim Carter
Apr 29, 20251 min read


The journey is almost complete
The Anchorage Passivhaus is almost finished! After over four years of design, planning, and construction, we're thrilled to see this...

Tim Carter
Mar 23, 20251 min read


Will designing a Passivhaus improve my chances of obtaining a planning consent?
As designers of Passivhaus buildings it’s a question we are frequently asked in the early stages of a project. Generally local...

Tim Carter
Mar 14, 20251 min read


"They have been a brilliant combination of excellent design and technical knowhow but most of all they have been a big support."
We’ve received a fantastic and lovely review of Tim and Tom and the design which they are bringing to life at Knossington Passivhaus....

Tim Carter
Mar 2, 20251 min read
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