New Private Dwelling, Baildon

A new detached 2 storey family dwelling on a former garden site. Our brief was to create a family house with living accommodation that responded to the key site features; a mature woodland at the south rear boundary and mature oak trees to the front north boundary with views to the hills of Baildon Moor. Sustainable materials were specified for minimal environmental impact and to achieve a healthy indoor climate.

Designed to achieve Passivhaus standards of energy efficiency, the new house aims to minimise energy consumption through a ‘fabric first’ approach, adopting principles of airtightness and a continuous unbroken thermal envelope. The form is therefore simple, with the ground floor set to an accessible level from the driveway (an average of 500 mm below the footpath by the stone boundary wall). The house has the main living level at first floor to maximise light and sun as well as benefit from views of the surrounding trees. The south wall is set partly at an angle to make best use of the later afternoon sun and the larger garden area to the west side. The roofscape is set to maximise access to solar energy from the south, but also to maintain a more modest eaves height to the north. The timber framed structure is insulated with recycled cellulose and all walls are timber clad. The roof mounted array of 4.2 kW peak output photovoltaic panels, in a matt black finish, is set back from the ridge so as not to be visible.

Client:	Private client
Services Provided:	Architecture, Sustainability advice
Dates:	January 2018 – September 2023
Contract Value:	Undisclosed
Technologies and Unique Features	Low energy, passivhaus approach. Solar PV array, ASHP