North Downs House - Surrey

Our Response:

Our challenge was to design a family home that prioritised sustainable architecture and energy efficiency in an innovative way within an environmentally sensitive area.

The decision to create a new dwelling, dug into the hillside, proved pivotal and the home is now a certified Passivhaus. The high quality of design, construction and operation of the house has achieved performance well within the Passivhaus criteria. The energy bills for this house are approximately a tenth of those for a traditionally designed property of the same size.

The design inverts the traditional home layout by situating the main living areas on the upper floor and the bedrooms on the lower floor.

The upper level features an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area, taking advantage of the property's elevated position to offer breathtaking views. Two expansive ribbons of glass open onto generous south-facing terraces on the upper and lower levels, maximising the panoramic views and meeting rigorous Passivhaus energy performance standard requirements.

The lower level’s exterior is accented with wooden panels to soften the structure and provide additional shade from sunlight. The interior is spacious, light, and minimalist to create a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere. This floor accommodates the home's bedrooms, bath and shower rooms, playroom, cinema room and plant room.

The use of a sedum roof, combined with building the house into the hillside, has eliminated traffic noise, creating a tranquil living environment. Triple-glazed windows, doors and roof lights ensure exceptional thermal insulation and minimal heat loss, while a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR) guarantees superior indoor air quality.

We are proud to have delivered a certified Passivhaus of an innovative design integrated into its picturesque surroundings, achieving environmental goals without compromising modern family living standards.