Passivhaus

Passivhaus is a rigorous low energy standard based on building physics, with clearly measured targets focussed on user comfort, high-quality construction, healthy indoor environments and low fuel bills.

We have delivered several certified Passivhaus projects over the past decade from design through to completion on site. Projects have pioneered low energy architecture, notably the RIBA award winning and the first Passivhaus Plus Commercial project, Bicester Eco Business Centre, and Fishleys Passivhaus delivered in a ANOB nestled on the outskirts of a coppice. More recently Jalan Passivhaus and The Tin Barn EnerPHit Passivhaus.

Along with the understanding of building physics that creates low energy architecture, we never take our ‘Architect / Designer’ hats off. Our work is underpinned by the ethos that delivering well-crafted, timeless and enriching spaces is only possible if the architecture is rooted in its context and designed in collaboration with the people who will inhabit and interact with it. We believe our approach to Passivhaus and EnerPHit perfectly aligns and creates spaces of architectural delight, that are seamlessly energy-efficient, healthy and environmentally responsive.

Folia Architects are Certified Passivhaus Designers.

AECB CarbonLite logo with 'Retrofit Graduate' and check mark
Two logos, one for a Certified Passive House Designer and the other for Passivhaus Trust Member.
Thermal imaging device displaying heat signature of a person in a safety vest.

What is Passivhaus?

Passivhaus represents a transformative approach to building design, prioritising comfort and energy efficiency without compromising on aesthetics. By adhering to stringent performance standards, Passivhaus buildings maintain a consistent indoor climate year-round, ensuring optimal thermal comfort for occupants.

The core principles of Passivhaus include maximising insulation, utilising high-performance windows, and implementing an airtight building envelope. This results in minimal energy consumption for heating and cooling, leading to significantly reduced utility bills and a lower carbon footprint.

Investing in a Passivhaus not only benefits the environment but also enhances long-term value through reduced maintenance and operational costs. As local building regulations become increasingly demanding, integrating Passivhaus principles now positions your property ahead of the curve, offering a sustainable solution that meets future standards.

Choose Passivhaus for its blend of practicality and elegance—a responsible choice for modern living that reflects your commitment to sustainability while creating a truly enriching space. Embrace a future where comfort and efficiency coexist harmoniously.

How We Work - Low Energy Design

As a leader in low-carbon design, we focus on innovative design and construction methods that meet our clients' needs. We use Revit, a 3D modeling software, to coordinate information early in the design process. This helps us identify issues and optimize the building’s structure. It also allows us to create visuals and animations for clients to understand and evaluate our proposals. As certified Passivhaus CEPH designers and AECB graduates, we conduct energy modelling from the start to ensure our designs maximise energy efficiency and consider both initial and long-term costs.

Modern house with a dark metal roof and stone walls surrounded by a natural garden, under a colorful sky.

Passivhaus Projects

  • Modern building with a facade of vertical wooden slats, clear blue sky

    Bicester Eco Business Centre

    The RIBA Award-winning building is the UK’s first Passivhaus Plus non-residential building. The BREEAM Outstanding co-working office spaces make the most of natural materials and natural light through solar-controlled facades.

  • Stone cottage with red tiled roof and flowers in foreground

    The Tin Barn Enerphit

    Our clients wanted to turn a derelict set of barns into an exemplary Passivhaus home. On a rural plot on the outskirts of Bath, they wanted a home that would be more manageable in scale and more cost-effective to run, allowing them to live more sustainably. They also needed space to work from home and let a vegetable plot flow between the wildflower meadows into the rolling countryside beyond.

  • Modern wooden house with large windows in a grassy yard with trees under a blue sky.

    Fishleys Passivhaus

    At the base of British Camp in the Malvern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), this timber frame Passivhaus nestles into its unique woodland setting. The house sits on the site of an old barn and was certified as a Passivhaus on its completion in 2017

  • Exterior view of a brick building with "Gellideg Foundation Wellbeing Centre" written on the side, under a cloudy sky.

    Gellideg Wellbeing Centre

    Working with the Gellideg Foundation over a number of years to design a high quality, Passivhaus Wellbeing Centre on one of the most economically and socially deprived estates in Britain.

  • Illustration of modern apartment buildings with balconies, surrounded by people and a parked car on a street corner.

    Oldbury Court Passivhaus Dwellings

    These 15 flats are designed for Brighter Places, an ambitious new housing association, who aim to achieve both Passivhaus and Zero Carbon in operation with this new development. On a tight suburban plot in Fishponds (Bristol), the 3 blocks of apartments are orientated due south to maximise solar gains. The resulting pockets of external space provide both public and private amenity space for residents.

  • A modern wooden house with solar panels on the roof, surrounded by a field of wildflowers.

    Hawksfield Passivhaus Low Energy

    Our clients wanted to build a new home on a beautiful, rural plot of land adjacent to their existing house in the village of Clifford, Herefordshire. They wanted a home that would be more manageable in scale and more cost-effective to run, allowing them to live more sustainably. They also needed space to run their rural business and to grow organic produce on their plot.