Drymen Passivhaus

These new build homes replace the existing failing residences on Conic Way and Montrose Way with affordable homes designed to the Passivhaus standard in a series of terraced bungalows (providing amenity housing for returning residents) and two-storey semi-detached general needs housing.

As a small development in the wider village setting within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the new development respond carefully to the local context both in terms of scale and in terms of materiality.

The homes have been designed with an enhanced timber kit solution which could have made achieving the required wall fabric U-values challenging. However, by targeting the key foundation perimeter details, we were able to significantly improve the heat demand figures and achieve the standard.

Furthermore, we ascertained during the design process that by targeting the Passivhaus standard and utilising air-source heat pumps as a renewable source of heating, we did not require the installation of photovoltaic roof panels on the project to meet our sustainability criteria under the building regulations. This resulted in a significant cost saving to the project and helped to off-set the additional costs in fabric insulation.

Awards:

• Winner:  Scottish Home Awards – Affordable Housing Category
• Shortlisted:  Inside Housing Development Awards – Best Healthy Homes Development category
• Shortlisted:  Inside Housing Development Awards – Best Affordable Housing Development category