Private Residential | Timber Frame | PassivHaus | New Build

Challenge: A House That No Longer Worked For Family Life

The property that stood here before wasn't just tired, it was unhealthy. Damp had taken hold, the layout no longer suited how the family wanted to live, and no amount of patching or partial renovation was going to solve problems that ran through the building's fabric. Rather than continue fighting an ageing structure, the decision was made to start again.

Transformation: A Timber Frame PassivHaus, Built For Performance

Simon Mack Architecture designed a new timber frame home built to PassivHaus principles - one of the most rigorous standards in sustainable, energy-efficient design. High levels of insulation and airtightness form the core of the build, paired with a Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) system that constantly exchanges stale air for fresh while retaining the heat already generated inside. The result is a home that performs to a very high standard year-round, using significantly less energy than a conventional new build, and one that's future-proofed against rising energy costs and tightening building regulations.

Positive Outcomes: A Family Home That Actually Gathers People Together

The benefits go well beyond the technical performance. The new layout strikes a considered balance between private, quiet spaces and generous areas for the family to gather, relax and entertain. Where the old house pulled people apart, The Briars draws them together, the family report more time spent, and more conversations had, around the dining table than the old house ever allowed. A happier, healthier home.