Architype

Passivhaus is the world’s most rigorous energy and comfort standard, using super insulation, fresh air, natural daylight and the power of the sun to create high performing buildings that support wellbeing, all year round.

The quality assurance system is backed by a rigorous certification process that guarantees the building will perform efficiently and as promised at design stage. Benefits include:

Performance

• A typical reduction in energy use of 75% compared to a standard new build - with minimal operational carbon and extremely lowenergy bills
• High quality construction that avoids building defects such as mould growth, draughts or over heating
• Excellent standards of thermal comfort and indoor air quality with low CO2 levels and reduced air particulates
• Optimised lifecycle costs

Architype use Passivhaus because it is based on sound building physics, and unlike any other building standard, has proven its accuracy and performance over a 30 year monitoring period in a range of building types across Europe. Our approach demonstrates that Passivhaus design can create beautiful buildings that do not need to cost more than conventional construction.

Passivhaus bridges the all too common performance gap between prediction and reality, reducing energy consumption by design, rather than relying on renewables to offset carbon.

Pioneers

We introduced the standard to the UK and have succesfully designed 40 Passivhaus buildings in the last decade, helping clients and contractors understand the rigour and quality it demands. We employ 12 certified Passivhaus designers, are founder members of the Passivhaus Trust and chair the Passivhaus Trust in Scotland.

It is not easy to achieve Passivhaus, Passivhaus Plus or EnerPHit - the Passivhaus standard for retro fit buildings. We draw on years of experience and post occupancy evaluation lessons to help clients successfully achieve accreditation.

Passivhaus technical standards that need to be achieved include:

• Fabric U-values (thermal resistance) of 0.15 W/m²·K for walls, roof and windows
• Whole unit window and door U-values of 0.8 W/m²·K
• N50 airtightness of 0.6 air changes per hour under test at 50 pascals of pressure
• Elimination or reduction of all thermal bridging, or heat loss, through gaps in insulation or construction
• An efficient mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR) to provide high quality fresh air in cold weather, without heat loss

Quality

Simply following these standards alone is not enough to achieve Passivhaus certification. The PHPP (Passivhaus Planning Package) tool must be used to model and optimise the form, orientation and fabric of the building and demonstrate that:

• The thermal heating requirement does not exceed 15kWh/sqm per year
• The primary energy demand does not exceed 120 kWh/sqm per year
• Overheating does not exceed targets

Design and actual construction evidence is provided to an independent certifier who, after a rigorous assessment, will issue Passivhaus certification only if the building fully complies with the standard.

Passivhaus is proven to be highly energy and carbon efficient, economic and healthy. Put simply, it is better design and better construction.

Browse our Passivhaus projects here.