Above: Presenter Rupert Daly, the FMB’s Gordon Nelson and presenters Clare and Ross Booth
The third show of the 2024 Green Home Festival was aimed at self-builders interested in building a certified Passivhaus home, and was also relevant for small-to-medium construction companies who want to implement a similar business model.
During the session, Coldwells Build and John Gilbert Architects demonstrated how they’ve simplified Passivhaus delivery for self-builders through the power of collaboration. Coldwells also discussed the launch later this year of their own Passivhaus range – the first of its kind in Scotland – which will offer modern, prefabricated homes built to world-class standards.
Delegates listen as the three presenters discuss modern Passivhaus systems
The show covered a number of different areas, including:
What is Passivhaus?
An introduction to Passivhaus and why it’s the world’s leading building standard for energy-efficient homes. Delegates found out how it was developed in the 1980s by the German physicist, Wolfgang Feist, who set out to investigate why low-energy buildings weren’t delivering on their expected potential and applied his findings to create a physics-based method for building extraordinary, high-performance homes. The show also discussed some of the 65,000 Passivhaus buildings worldwide and why it’s fast-becoming a popular choice for UK self-builders.
How does it work?
Guests gained an insight into why Passivhaus homes are so insulated, airtight and well ventilated, and how they maintain a comfortable temperature year-round, with no draughts or cold spots. The show also revealed why the houses have minimal heating needs and why they use 75% less energy than the ‘average’ home built today.
Simplifying Passivhaus delivery for self-builders
Building a Passivhaus can be complex, from finding and hiring certified architects and contractors to design choices, material selections and layout decisions. For busy people who want the world’s best energy-efficient home, it’s a big commitment. Coldwells Build and John Gilbert Architects explained how they have spent two years, distilling 3,000+ decisions into one convenient package – the Coldwells Build Passivhaus.
The Coldwells Build Passivhaus – what is it?
Delegates found out more about the new Passivhaus certified homes, which are pre-designed, economical and offer honest pricing. With streamlined delivery and fast build speeds, they’re designed to be future-proof and ready for both net-zero targets and Scotland’s Passivhaus equivalent standard. As well as discussing the homes’ design, the show also outlined discounted green mortgages.
- Download a PDF presentation from this show here.
Rupert Daly from John Gilbert Architects outlines the benefits of Passivhaus during the show
