We are over halfway through our showcase of 15 projects from the last 15 years, and I hope you’ll agree we have seen some stunning examples of our work. This week, Rachel, our in house Passivhaus designer, shares her favourite low energy design which we started in 2013.

“I’ve worked on many amazing projects over my 13 years at Thinking Buildings but one of my favourites is the residential project at Weedon in Buckinghamshire. The brief was to design a home, not only for the current family but also for the previous generation, allowing independence, but at a comfortable distance. The challenging site levels formed the basis of the conceptual design, creating a split-level house that allowed the lower level ground floor to become a self-contained annex. The project evolved into a contemporary home designed with traditional forms, woven thoughtfully into the sloping site. The split-level layout creates a fantastic sequence of spaces and volumes as you move through the house.

An unusual, yet stunning, feature is the oak-clad curved pod, which conceals the utility and plant room. Far more than a service space it provides warmth and craftsmanship, creating a flow between the open-plan kitchen, dining and living spaces while discreetly tucking away the practical necessities every home needs. 

In addition to an ambitious design the client set their sights on Passivhaus standards which was a challenge that we embraced. An insulated timber-frame solution delivered u-values of 0.1 and an extraordinary air-tightness value of 0.58. Although the client didn’t require certification it was a fantastic achievement for all involved.”

This stunning project highlights that homes can be both beautiful and responsible. We love to design spaces where thoughtfulness and craftsmanship work together to deliver performance and sustainability.