Our home was designed with a clear goal: to show that an energy-efficient, high-performance house doesn’t need to be large or extravagant to be comfortable, resilient and beautiful. This home was designed and built with a strong focus on high-performance building principles, while remaining practical and cost-conscious.
At 114 square metres, the house remains intentionally compact. Keeping the footprint modest allowed us to concentrate resources on building quality, while maximising space for a productive garden and strong indoor–outdoor connections. The result is a home that is efficient, comfortable and highly functional.
Thermal performance was prioritised from the outset. The building envelope features high-quality double-glazed windows, continuous insulation, and careful detailing to minimise thermal bridging. Particular attention was paid to airtightness, with the aim of reducing uncontrolled air leakage and improving energy efficiency, comfort and durability.
Fresh air and indoor air quality are managed through a mechanical heat recovery ventilation (MHRV) system. This supports stable internal temperatures, low energy demand, and a healthy indoor environment year-round.
On-site renewable energy is provided by a 14 kW solar PV system, paired with a Sigenergy battery (24kWh) to increase energy resilience. The house also includes a dedicated bi-directional EV charger. 8,000L of rainwater storage contributes to reducing mains water demand and supports garden productivity.
Ryan is a certified Passive House builder, and this project reflects our interest in demonstrating how high performance building principles can be applied to a modestly sized home and delivered on a relatively constrained budget.
