Hayshed Passive House

Hayshed Passivhaus Farmhouse

Developing a comfortable, low maintenance, light filled and warm home that takes advantage of the stunning views from the site were the driving force behind this design as well as minimising fuel bills.

We chose to design a modern home referring to the local farm vernacular of the west coast traditional hayshed rather than re-create a ‘traditional’ farmhouse. Using passive solar design and natural ventilation combined with heat recovery and a high performance building shell gives great comfort to the occupants and very low running costs for energy.

Kirsty Maguire Architects worked in collaboration with Hope Homes and Morgan Associates to design and build this farmhouse to the Passivhaus standard. Construction started in August of 2012, and the building was completed and certifed as a Passivhaus 12 months later. The house has a timber frame with I-joists, glulam beams and zinc cladding for the roof, a small wood burning stove, with hot water provided by an air source heat pump. The air intake of the heat pump combines with the exhaust of the MVHR system to boost their efficiency.

The house won the UK Passivhaus Trust Award 2014. Best ‘Bespoke Project’ in the UK

“I am gobsmacked at how the house holds the heat – I keep looking to see what I’ve left on but there isn’t anything – and the fresh air is great.” – Client