Highland passivehaus architects

[thaldine]

I'm looking for any architects (and builders) with some previous experience of constructing houses designed and built to passivehaus standards (along with "passive slab" foundations) who cover Strathspey and Badenoch. Any pointers gratefully received. Not solely/necessarily Passivehaus Trust certified architects though.

Thanks

[JohnMo]

Double post

[thaldine]

19 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Double post

No, separate: "any architects (and builders)" and "any builders (and architects)"

[markharro]

I known that Makar -  https://www.makar.co.uk/ - build to passive house standard and they are based in Inverness.

[ETC]

https://www.dualchas.com/our-projects/residential
Do some tasty work……in my opinion.

[Iceverge]

4 hours ago, ETC said:

https://www.dualchas.com/our-projects/residential
Do some tasty work……in my opinion.

Beautiful stuff for sure. 

 

I think they do the HebHomes Designs which @Kelvin has and was happier with the overall design rather than the detail. Maybe I'm mistaken. 

[Iceverge]

The Makar designs have a lot going for them too. Probably more from a practicality point of view. 

 

Usually sensible simple pitched roofs with plenty of overhang. Cellulose filled wall panels. Excellent airtighess etc. 

[Kelvin]

On 15/11/2024 at 23:29, Iceverge said:

Beautiful stuff for sure. 

 

I think they do the HebHomes Designs which @Kelvin has and was happier with the overall design rather than the detail. Maybe I'm mistaken. 

Heb Homes and Dualchas are sister companies run by two brothers with one running Dualchas and the other running HH. Dualchas is the architectural practice doing all the bespoke stuff whereas HH are focused on building ‘off the shelf’ designs in three types of houses in the traditional Scottish style of a Longhouse, Steading, and Whitehouse. I don’t know much about Dualchas and how they design and build a bespoke house. I assume they are much the same as HH kits so either a SIP  or a CPS. I note that HH have recently changed their CPS system to the Sigma II twin stud system with blown cellulose insulation. That’s a step in the right direction and you’d expect better thermal bridging performance and hopefully air tightness albeit they don’t set themselves a particularly high bar compared to say MBC,  I assume because it’s easier to make sure they achieve it.
 

Regards their ability to build to near passive standards. I saw zero evidence in my dealings with HH on any real knowledge or ability in passive or near passive builds. Also the kit erection team they used for our build have no idea what passive is. Dualchas might be more knowledgeable on the subject however. Ultimately I think it would be down to you as the home owner to do all the relevant research and ensure it was built to whatever standard you were aiming for. 
 

I couldn’t recommend HH at all. I spoke with someone recently who is currently building a HH and their experience sounds exactly like ours so nothing seems to have changed over the last two years. I can’t comment on Dualchas so it might be better run. 
 

Generally though, their houses are very attractive and sit well in the rural landscape. They also make efficient use of the interior space . Our house is performing really well so far but this will be our first winter living in it. That said most of that is down to us rather than them.