Journal

Tim Offer Architects always look to make our designs as energy efficient as possible. We talk a lot with clients about measures they can take to improve their homes.  We often talk about a ‘fabric first’ approach to design, based on Passivhaus principles.  Tim is qualified as a Certified Passivhaus Designer with the Passivhaus institute in 2020.  This gives added authority to our advice and expertise and make us one of only a handful of Passivhaus designers in Devon.

We really enjoy exploring new ways to reduce the environmental impact of our work and working closely with our clients to develop beautiful and energy efficient homes.

Passivhaus Design (from the Passivhaus Institute website)

Passive House is a building standard that is truly energy efficient, comfortable and affordable at the same time.  Passive House is a tried and true construction concept that can be applied by anyone, anywhere.

Most Importantly, Passive Houses allow for space heating and cooling related energy savings of up to 90% compared with typical building stock and over 75% compared to average new builds.

Passive Houses do this by making efficient use of the sun, internal heat sources and heat recovery.  This renders conventional heating systems unnecessary even in the coldest of winters.  Passive Houses also make use of passive cooling techniques such as strategic shading to keep comfortably cool during warmer months.

Passive Houses are praised for the high level of comfort they offer. Internal surface temperatures vary little from indoor air temperatures, even in the face of extreme outdoor temperatures.

A ventilation system imperceptibly supplies constant fresh air, making for superior air quality without unpleasant draughts. Heat contained in the exhaust air can be re-used through a highly efficient heat recovery unit.

Devon Architects with Passivhaus Experience

Tim Offer Architects have been involved in a number of projects that have looked to Passivhaus principles.  Millway in Suffolk (completed while project architect at Mole Architects) was featured in Passivhaus Plus Magazine.

Pass­ive House build­ings are en­ergy ef­fi­cient build­ings that provide users with high levels of com­fort and ex­cel­lent air qual­ity around the clock. They may not look any dif­fer­ent from oth­er build­ings, therefore, but good plan­ning as well as care­ful ex­e­cu­tion of the de­tails is es­sen­tial in the con­struc­tion of such pro­jects. This en­sures that the high re­quire­ments for the build­ing en­vel­ope and tech­no­logy can be met. As a res­ult, build­ing pro­fes­sion­als need ad­di­tion­al ex­pert­ise which can be ac­quired and sub­stan­ti­ated with Pass­ive House courses.  (from the Passihaus Institute)

While not certified, Millway was developed through the PassivHause Planning Package.

TOA is one of only a handful of Certified Passivhaus designers in Devon.

Passivhaus Training with AECB Carbonlite and Warm

Passivhaus training is provided by the Association for Environmentally Conscious Building (AECB) and the Passivhaus Trust and is delivered by Warm.

The AECB  is a network of individuals and companies with a common aim of promoting sustainable building.  They bring together contractors, trades people, self builders, architects, designers, engineers, manufacturers, housing associations, local authorities and academics to help develop, share, train and promote sustainable building best practice. Tim Offer is a member of the AECB.

The Passivhaus Trust provides leadership in the UK for the adoption of the Passivhaus standard.  It aims to promote Passivhaus to provide high standards of comfort as well as reducing energy use and carbon emissions from buildings in the UK.

Warm are a low energy building consultancy.  They provide knowledge and expertise to assist architects and clients in providing energy effivient buildings.

We are looking forward to developing our expertise working on low energy projects as registered Passivhaus designers serving Devon and Cornwall.