Rethinking what Passivhaus can be
Caring for the environment and responding to the climate crisis are central to everything we do. Sustainability is embedded in our approach to every project, from the way we think about materials and construction to how buildings perform in use.
Passivhaus is one of the most effective ways we can deliver this, dramatically reducing energy demand and carbon emissions while creating healthier, more comfortable and resilient buildings. Its rigorous approach also brings long-term value through lower running costs and exceptional build quality.
We believe Passivhaus shouldn’t dictate how a building looks. Through our projects, we challenge preconceptions of what low-energy architecture can be. Our Anchorage Passivhaus — a one-of-a-kind certified riverside home in Wyre Piddle — combines expressive contemporary design with exceptional energy performance and locally prefabricated timber construction. Set within a Conservation Area and surrounded by listed buildings, its bold form demonstrates that Passivhaus can be ambitious, beautiful and innovative, as well as highly sustainable — and that exceptional low-energy design can be achieved even in the most challenging settings.
22
Passivhaus standard buildings
03
EnerPHit standard buildings
We’re proud to be Certified Passivhaus Designers, helping clients create future-ready spaces that are as efficient as they are enduring.
0.49
Our average final air test result on Certified projects (ach@50Pa)
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High level of continuous insulation
High level of Airtightness
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Reduced thermal bridges
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Triple glazed windows, focused on the views.
Efficient background ventilation with heat recover (MVHR).
Orientated for passive solar gain, whilst maximising views.
Passivhaus
This is Anchorage Passivhaus
It is a carefully crafted, innovative and pre-fabricated contemporary certified Passivhaus set in the heart of the Wyre Piddle Conservation Area.
It’s a house which maintains a comfortable internal temperature all year round, regardless of whether there's a heat wave outside or snow on the ground.
It does this using the sun as the primary heat source - there is no central heating system.
It is a true healthy home, with a pollen and pollutant free internal environment.
And it does this for around one tenth of the energy consumption of the equivalent house built only to a building regulations standard, for around six percent extra cost - approximately an eight year payback.
Want to know more?
What our Clients Say
They have exceeded our expectations and delivered a home that delights and serves us every day. From the initial brief through to the final completion, their professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail were evident at every stage. They took the time to fully understand our needs, preferences and aspirations, as well as our experience and technical input, to achieve a practical and innovative solution.
Drs Frank Ainscow and Kerry Mashford, OBE
Anchorage Passivhaus, Wyre Piddle
They have been a brilliant combination of excellent design and technical knowhow but most of all they have been a big support. Tom understood exactly what we were trying to achieve aesthetically and Tim makes sure the technical and passive house elements work. I can’t overstate how valuable it is to have this kind of support join us for the roller coaster ride.
Karen and Tony Nagel
Knossington Passivhaus, Braunston
What we've learnt
high performance doesn’t need to come at the expense of ambitious architecture
We have delivered and developed Passivhaus schemes in Conservation Areas, on steep and constrained sites, adjacent to listed buildings and within the Green Belt. Projects such as Anchorage and Knossington demonstrate how careful design, early planning engagement and a deep understanding of context can turn constraints into opportunities. At Knossington, our contemporary Passivhaus replacement dwelling secured planning permission at the first attempt, with no design changes required.
Passivhaus performance is won in the details
Timber construction and prefabrication can deliver exceptional environmental performance, but only when the building envelope, junctions, thermal bridges and airtightness are considered from the outset. Our experience has shown the importance of detailed design, precision construction and early testing: Anchorage achieved 0.47 ACH at 50Pa, while Knossington achieved 0.56 ACH. We also understand that Passivhaus performance is about more than reducing heating demand — careful consideration of overheating, ventilation and indoor air quality is essential to creating comfortable, healthy homes all year round.
finding the right builder is more important than past experience
In a world of escalating material and labour costs, understanding where to invest is imperative — as is finding the right builder. Anchorage was delivered at approximately £3,500/m², with the Passivhaus approach estimated to have an eight-year payback compared with a comparable Building Regulations home.
Our experience means we know what to look for when bringing high-performance buildings to life, and have built relationships with contractors who understand the demands of Passivhaus and low-energy construction. We can help identify where investment delivers genuine performance benefits, control costs and ensure ambitious designs remain practical and buildable.
Our Passivhaus Services
PHPP
The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is a powerful design tool used to plan, optimise and verify Passivhaus buildings. We have the in-house expertise to use PHPP throughout the design process, helping us make informed decisions and identify the most effective ways to achieve a comfortable, efficient and genuinely low-energy building.
Sustainable Design
Passivhaus isn’t just about minimising energy use. It’s about creating buildings that stay comfortable year-round, avoid overheating and provide a consistently healthy indoor environment with excellent air quality. We use our expertise to guide you through all of these considerations, creating homes that are efficient, comfortable and healthy to live in.
Certified Passivhaus Designer
Tom Locke is a Certified Passive House Designer, recognised by the Passivhaus Institute for his expertise in Passivhaus design. With our in-house knowledge and experience, you can be confident that your project is in safe hands from the outset, with performance considered and optimised from the very beginning.
EnerPHit and Retrofit
If you have an existing building that could benefit from lower energy bills, improved comfort and a healthier indoor environment, we can help you unlock its potential. We combine practical retrofit expertise with a fabric-first approach to improve performance while making the most of what is already there.