2024
Starting out life as a rather tired 60’s ‘Chalet Bungalow’ our clients aspired to create that rarest of beasts…a retro-fit Passivhaus.
We removed the roof structure and most of the internal walls, peeling down the external skin to reveal the concrete slab and inner skin of blockwork.
From there, our specialist supplier designed and supplied all of the materials to effectively provide a super insulated ‘tea cosy’ type construction that we site assembled. The new Steico studs providing and insulated cavity of 225mm of wood fibre insulation with a further 60mm of wood fibre rigid board, over all external surfaces.
The key to this and indeed all modern construction is the elimination, as far as possible, of all air leakage and Passivhaus standards are particularly stringent, in this regard. Most modern house expect to score under 5 in the air pressure test. Greenlea was tested forensically three times throughout the build and managed a score of just 0.1! Meaning, the heat requirement for the whole house was just 400w or, a single radiator.
Technically, all heating is provided by a small ASHP and a recirculating MVHR system all enclosed in this high performance airtight shell and Internorm triple glazed windows and Velux Passivhaus standard roof lights.
Externally, we have Shou Sugi Ban Charred cladding, Geo-Brick long format brickwork and Strat coated VMZinc standing seam roof covering, along with a feature colonnade and protruding window boxes to the front. In order to mitigate overheating, we fitted aluminium brise soleil to provide additional shading to the rear windows.
Internally, the ‘Industrial chic’ interiors are complemented with exposed timber floor joists, Amtico Flooring and Lusso sanitaryware. Mmm…cosy! In fact, ‘Tea Cosy!’
Using our expert care and attention to detail, we can help build your Dream, into… a Reality.
