Passivhaus inspires visitors at the Open Days
The UK Passivhaus Open Days which took place from 11th - 13th November this year, was another successful event running closely behind the heels of the very successful UK Passivhaus conference. 10 Projects all over the UK including private houses, social housing, domestic and non-domestic retrofits participated this year. The complete list of participating projects can be viewed here.
The Trust visited 100 Princedale Road, Hadlow Rural Regeneration Centre, Lena Gardens and Sampson Close. Overall we were very impressed at the level of enthusiasm about the subject from both the ones conducting tours and the visitors alike. It was also good to hear that the occupants of the building were very happy with their Passivhaus building and reaping significant benefits especially in terms of reduced energy bills. The Open Days had a very positive impact on many visitors notably on twitter over the course of the 3 days. Bill Butcher from Green Building Store who conducted tours at the Denby Dale Passivhaus tweeted ‘2 vry full days of tours at DenbyDale #Passivhaus.Thnkyu to G + K for hostng wondrflly. Hoarse from tlkng too mch + knackrd. lvly Sundy.’
Graham Drummond from Passivhaus Associates conducted tours of the Craigrothie Passivhaus in Cupar Fife, a Passivhaus bungalow. ‘ [We had] over 50 visitors with a good mix including architects, self builders, surveyors and non building related folk who were interested in the concept (and the house – ideal for downsizers) – low energy bills and good indoor comfort all in one package’. Demand was such that Graham has arranged a further 2 days for visits by appointment on Friday 25th & Saturday 26th November. Contact Graham on 07967 585414 or at graham@passivhausassociates.co.uk for further information.
Similar numbers visited 100 Princedale Road and Lena Gardens- both domestic certified Passivhaus retrofits in London.The tour of 100 Princedale Road, a Victorian terraced house retrofit. was conducted by Marion Baeli, the project architect who outlined some of its innovative features including the UK’s first imitation sash triple glazed windows- required to meet the planning constraints of the conservation area. Read more about the visit from Octavia Housing here.
Marion Baeli (Paul Davis + Partners) conducting the tour at 100 Princedale Road
Tours of Lena Gardens were conducted by Tom Pakenham from greentomatoenergy who were the consultants on the project. Tom mentions on his blog, ‘….we are proud members of the Passivhaus community so it was a pleasure to share the love’. Read more about this visit from one of the visitors here.
Tom Pakenham (greentomatoenergy) with Open Day visitors at Lena Gardens
At Sampson Close in Coventry, Marcus Lewis from Baily Garner explained how the 23 unit scheme is heated through a district heating system and requires only 2 standard 65 KW boilers, and why they had to install Passivhaus radiators in each unit as the tenants would’nt move in without the radiators, despite the fact that they wouldnt really need them! More information here.
The International Passive House Association (iPHA) reports that this year's Open Days were the largest and most successful yet. A staggering 850 odd Passivhaus projects around the globe participated this year and other events, conferences, workshops and guided tours took place alongside. View the map of all participating Passivhaus projects worldwide at the Open Days HERE. Read more from iPHA here.
At the Passivhaust Trust we would like to thank all those who participated in the Open Days this year and imparted knowledge on the Passivhaus standard, which helps to dispel the myths surrounding the concept. Next year's Passive House Days will take place from 9th -11th November 2012. We hope to see many more projects participating then!
16th November 2011
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