Site: Chatham, Kent
Accreditations: Passivhaus EnerPHit


This was a particularly special project for us as it marked our first accredited Passivhaus certification.
 
Our client, an architect specialising in sustainable, low-carbon design, purchased a 1800s Victorian barn with the ambitious goal of achieving rigorous Passivhaus EnerPHit certification. This was a challenging endeavour for a heritage structure.
 
To meet these high standards, we returned to first principles and strictly adhered to a "fabric first" approach. A Passivhaus EnerPHit certification requires an airtightness of 1.0 AC/hr. We were able to exceed the client's expectations by achieving an average of 0.87 AC/hr, which was a significant success for both the client and the environment! We also managed to reuse much of the original building's materials for the finishes. For instance, all the timber detailing came from the old roof joists.
 
Our Passivhaus consultant, ZE Passivhaus Services Ltd, offered a wonderful quote about the project:
 
"Transforming a historic 1800s barn into a sustainable, high-performance building is an extraordinary accomplishment. By bringing this unique heritage structure up to the rigorous EnerPHit standard, you have shown that it's possible to honour the past while embracing the future. The result is not only a comfortable and efficient home for its occupants but also a powerful example of what responsible, forward-thinking construction can achieve."

 
Technical details on the project are published on the Passivhaus database: 
https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php?lang=en#d_7987