Achieving Passivhaus
In contrast to the current UK approach of adding complicated technology and renewables to buildings in an expensive and questionable attempt to ‘offset’ carbon, Passivhaus achieves buildings that by design, simply use less energy and optimise comfort.
Architype and Thomas Vale Construction have formed a joint venture to offer the benefit of Passivhaus at zero additional capital cost to that of traditional construction techniques. The James Review set the industry the challenge to reduce construction costs and procurement times. We know that schools and local authorities want well designed flexible buildings that meet educational needs. And with tighter revenue budgets and ever increasing energy prices, reducing energy consumption and running costs is vital. In contrast to the current UK approach of adding complicated technology and renewables to buildings in an expensive and questionable attempt to ‘offset’ carbon, Passivhaus achieves buildings that by design, simply use less energy and optimise comfort.
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Thomas Vale & Passivhaus
In partnership with Architype, our system uses standardised construction but enables individual bespoke design solutions to be developed for every project. We provide a unique solution with flexible layouts to meet the specific needs and requirements of each school.
We will work alongside you to empower pupils, staff and governors and parents to become fully engaged in shaping the design of their buildings and environment. This, together with ongoing engagement of children in arts projects during the construction stage, creates dynamic learning and educational opportunities.
Through our unique ‘soft landings’ programme, we will support you during the first two years of occupation of your building. We will assist you in understanding how to use and operate your building, enabling you to optimise its efficiency and performance.
Click here to download a copy of our Passivhaus in Education Brochure.
So what is Passivhaus?
Passivhaus or 'Passive House' is the fastest growing energy performance standard in the world with 30,000 buildings realised to date, the majority of those since 2000. The Passivhaus Standards strengths lie in the simplicity of its approach; build a building that has an excellent thermal performance, exceptional airtightness with mechanical ventilation!
This robust approach to building design allows the designer to minimise the 'Heating Demand' of the building and in some residential buildings only specify a heated towel rail as means of conventional heating, this heat can then be recovered and circulated by a Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit. As well as being an energy performance standard Passivhaus also provides excellent indoor air quality, this is achieved by reducing the air infiltration rates and supplying fresh air which is filtered and post heated by the MVHR unit.
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