A Quiet, Comfortable Passive House on a Busy Street
Anna and James began their project with a standard code-compliant house design. The intention was to keep the form simple, with clean architectural lines and a few well-placed features to enhance street appeal — important given the home’s position on a main road. Internally, the spaces were carefully tailored to suit their lifestyle.
During the design process, they made the decision to pursue Certified Passive House performance — drawn to the idea of living in a home that maintains a stable indoor temperature of 20–25°C year-round, with minimal energy use.
Key features included:
The design eliminated thermal bridges, reducing heat loss and removing cold spots where mould could form
A Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system was incorporated to provide a constant supply of fresh, filtered, warm air throughout the home
High-performance triple-glazed windows were specified to ensure thermal efficiency and block out noise from the surrounding environment
Although located on a busy road, the interior of the home is remarkably quiet — a calm, comfortable space that feels completely detached from the hustle outside.
As a result, Anna and James now enjoy:
Consistent warmth without extra heating or winter layers
Clean, healthy indoor air all year round
A peaceful interior, free from traffic noise
A practical addition to the design was a ventilated drying cupboard, allowing laundry to dry overnight without relying on a tumble dryer — a smart, low-energy feature that fits seamlessly into their daily life.
