Around an ongoing barn conversion project, this website draws together advice, information and references to aid all would-be and current barn and non-residential building converters and renovators.

Our approach takes on board 'healthy house', sustainable, ecological & environmental concepts to as great a degree as timescales and budgets allow.

my barn conversion
Latest Posts

BREEAM ~ Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method by mbc on May 11th, 2008

Microgeneration installations now 'permitted developments' by mbc on May 6th, 2008

Transition Town Llandeilo by mbc on May 4th, 2008

My Favourite Things ~ ‘Stone Wall’ by mbc on May 1st, 2008

Building Progress ~ April 2008 by mbc on April 29th, 2008

Latest Comments

On Peak Oil ~ what is it & what bearing does it have on green building? by Transition Town Llandeilo | my barn conversion on May 4th, 2008

On Where have all the builders gone? by mbc on April 28th, 2008
That's a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question miss dee ennis and obviously depends on location, the approach you take to the project (architect / main contractor / self-managed with sub-contractors etc.

On Where have all the builders gone? by miss dee ennis on April 28th, 2008
I am thinking of buying a barn for myself and would be gratfull if someone could give me a ballpark figure as to how much this is likly to cost .

On Project Management ~ Basecamp by Attention to detail… April 2008 update | my barn conversion on April 15th, 2008

On Heating & Hot Water - a solution? by Building Progress ~ March 2008, week 3 & 4 | my barn conversion on April 8th, 2008

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PassivHaus

August 22nd, 2007 by mbc

One of the cornerstones of energy efficient, healthy, sustainable building design, the PassivHaus standard aims to provide comfortable year round living conditions through minimal energy expenditure.

These aims are achieved through:

  • An effective passive solar design that will provide the necessary heat gain (heating).
  • To manage the heat gain:
  • …very highly specified insulation,
  • …near complete airtightness.
  • Mechanical ventilation coupled with highly efficient heat recovery and ‘backup’ heating systems to manage the internal climate.

No additional heating systems are required.

The PassivHaus standard for buildings in Europe dictates that the building will consume no more energy than:

  • Heating & Cooling: 15kWh per m2 floor area per annum.
  • Total Primary Energy* Consumption: 120kWh per m2 floor area per annum for all appliances, domestic hot water and heating and cooling.

* Primary Energy is drawn from the national grid which is inherently inefficient, much energy being lost during distribution.

passivhaus.org.uk
passivhaus.org.uk

Visit the BRE managed PassivHaus site for further details of the specification.

If you enjoyed that post, then read these...

What is Thermal Mass? on August 6th, 2007
One of those frequently occurring eco-building terms, thermal mass is often mentioned but rarely defined.

Zero Carbon House on August 17th, 2007
A term often heard, but of rarely understood, just what does it mean? Some definitions: "within ten years every new home will be a zero-carbon home" Gordon Brown, then Chancellor, in pre-budget report 2006.

Passive Solar Design on August 1st, 2007
Whilst a little late in the day for our barn (it was built 100+ years ago) the orientation of a building to the sun and the suns relationship with the buildings windows, doors and other openings are the focus of passive solar design.

Posted in Eco-Architecture |

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