Passivhaus architecture offers a robust approach to reducing carbon emissions and delivering comfortable, healthy buildings. Find out why architects and developers are turning to Passivhaus principles to create a decarbonised future.
Throughout the construction industry, from architects and specifiers, to large-scale developers and individual self-builders, sustainability dominates the conversation. With the recent energy crisis impacting businesses and homes across the UK, and predicted to continue long into winter 2023, the need for energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions in the built environment has become clearer than ever – both in the shorter term and for future generations.
In addition, legislative changes to Part L building regulations are pushing the construction industry to rethink how we design, plan and build to combat climate change, reduce carbon emissions, make buildings more energy efficient and improve the quality of life of the people using them. All this constitutes a positive step towards achieving the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, on the road towards the net-zero, nature-positive and healthier built environment of the future.
As a result, architects and developers are looking for ways to deliver more energy efficient, higher quality builds that positively impact occupant health and wellbeing. Passivhaus architecture is one way to achieve this.
What is Passivhaus?
Passivhaus is an international design standard, offering a whole-building approach that drastically reduces the energy needed to heat or cool buildings, while improving quality of life for the people occupying them.
The Passivhaus standard has clear, defined measurements and a robust quality assurance process which a building must follow to be considered Passivhaus.
How do you achieve Passivhaus certification?
In order for a building to be Passivhaus certified, there are specific performance targets that it has to meet. Typically, you must use very high levels of insulation, high performance windows, an airtight building fabric, ‘thermal bridge free’ construction, and a mechanical ventilation system with efficient heat recovery. For more details about the specific requirements, visit the Passivhaus Trust.
To be officially Passivhaus certified, you will need to apply through a registered Passivhaus certifier. You can self-declare if you meet all the requirements of the standard but achieving certification will demonstrate that the building is independently quality tested and has passed rigorous compliance processes.
Can retrofit projects be Passivhaus?
For retrofit projects, where the aim is to improve the energy efficiency of an already existing building, achieving Passivhaus status is not always possible. This is because Passivhaus principles work best when integral to the building’s design and are considered at every stage of specification and construction.
Instead, there is the EnerPHit standard, which is a slightly relaxed version of Passivhaus principles, created specifically for retrofit projects where achieving a high level of energy efficiency is a key objective.
Passivhaus in practice – Seaton Beach
Seaton Beach in Devon is an award-winning new-build apartment block in a prime seaside position and is the UK’s first certified Passivhaus Plus multi-residential building. Passivhaus Plus goes beyond even the standard Passivhaus performance targets, demonstrating the highest level of energy efficiency, holistic sustainability solutions and quality of life.
