A traditional style with modern features, this 4-bedroom home in the small Suffolk Village has been built and certified to the exemplar standards of Passivhaus. The 195m2 house has a spacious open plan kitchen / dining room which opens up onto a secluded courtyard garden.
Interview with the client
Why did you choose to build your own home?
We had been looking to build for some time, so when our family offered us a build plot that already had planning permission, we jumped at the chance to design and build a home that would be unique to us. We wanted to build as energy efficient as possible, so we began our research into Passivhaus.
What led you to building with the Beattie Passive Build System over traditional brick and block?
We wanted our home to be highly energy efficient, so after much research we decided on the Beattie Passive Build System. The system offers much more than the traditional brick and block builders and, compared to other Passivhaus builders, offered much higher quality on all elements of the build. The higher fire and sound protection that the Beattie Passive System offers also particularly appealed.
How did you hear about Beattie Passive?
We have a family friend who had built their home with Beattie Passive and spoke highly of the company and their service. We met the Beattie Passive team at a trade show, during one of our research trips and were able to ask lots of questions and find out more about their Passivhaus build experience.
How did you find the build process?
We were surprised at how quickly the house went up! It was erected and watertight in a matter of weeks. The process was so quick and smooth, we were expecting it to take months, especially based on friends experience who have built in the traditional method!
What has been the best part of the build?
The best part has been watching the house grow and evolve, seeing our dream becoming a reality. We also loved being able to make decisions on each room as it was built as it was much easier to visualise the finished result.
What’s been the worst part?
The waiting to move in.
If you had the opportunity, would you build a Passivhaus again?
Definitely! With energy prices constantly rising, it doesn’t make sense to build any other way. Its not just energy either, the temperature is always comfortable, summer through to winter – perfect. The air also feels fresher, I suffer from hayfever in the summer and I now have a pollen free home, despite the rapeseed growing in the adjacent field.