Sussex Passivhaus
Client: Charles Meloy
Architects: Meloy Architects
Location: Lewes
Cost: Confidential
Status: Complete
Category: Passivhaus, Homes
Photographs: Meloy Architects
We were approached by Meloy Architects early in the design process of this house to help their designs achieve Passivhaus performance. The site is located within the South Downs National Park alongside an ancient drove road used by fisherfolk to carry fresh fish from the old fishing village of Brighton to the county town of Lewes.
Prior to the submission of the planning application we were able to demonstrate that the building would achieve the necessary energy performance to be certified as a Passivhuas. This fact was instrumental in helping the designs receive approval. Although outside the development boundary and within the South Downs National Park the planning application was highly commended with the Parish Council commenting ‘that such a thoughtful design should stand as a fine example to be emulated elsewhere in Lewes and the National Park.’
Meloy Architects describe the design intent behind the house as follows:
“The house was conceived as a memory of two dilapidated sheds which the project has replaced. The first contains an open plan living area and benefits from a southerly aspect with full height sliding glazing onto the rear garden. The second contains the bedrooms with east facing windows giving morning light and a more private aspect onto a wooded copse.
The space between the ‘sheds’ is then efficiently planned as a core containing all support spaces.”
We continued to work with Meloy Architects while the project was on site providing advice on achieving the necessary airtightness required by the Passivhaus Institut to limit heat losses. We modelled all critical construction junctions to assess heat flows and eliminate thermal bridging. The result is a dwelling that requires little additional energy for heating. Hot water is generated with an air source heat pump and additional space heating can be provided through a sealed wood burning stove. Following the receipt of certification, the house is the first Passivhaus within Lewes and the wider SDNP.
The Passivhaus certification process was carried out by Kym Mead at MEAD Ltd. Services design and consultancy was provided by Alan Clarke.
In 2019 the house received an RIBA South East Award, RIBA South East Small Project and RIBA South East Sustainability Awards as well as an RIBA National Award.