Archangel Architects have offered CFCI Members the opportunity to visit Duck End Barns, an ambitious new five-bedroom home in Dry Drayton, Cambridgeshire, designed to obtain Passivhaus Plus certification.
Located in a former farmyard on the edge of the village, the house has been developed in a C-shaped footprint that creates a new, well-protected courtyard. Outward-facing openings are minimised to provide privacy from public and neighbouring views, whilst the courtyard-facing full height glazing and first floor patio make the most of the countryside views.
With a roof in zinc and walls treated with black timber the intention is that the house will read as one of the agricultural buildings on site. The timber-framed superstructure was constructed off-site by Timber Innovations and the recently fitted high performance glazing installed by Internorm.
Minimising the impact on the environment and the rural setting is central to the design by Archangel Architects. Measures implemented beyond the house design to the Passivhaus standard include rainwater harvesting and other SuDSs, greywater treatment, a large array of PV panels, coordinated planting of native trees and hedges and biodiversity enhancements. Other agricultural buildings on site are also being refurbished for either agricultural use or for uses ancillary to the house.
This site tour will be a great opportunity to see a domestic Passivhaus project in construction and speak with both the architects and main contractor, Seamans Building.
Full PPE will be required
