We build dreamsâŠ
âŠby designing outstanding spaces that enhance our everyday lives and open up new perspectivesâŠ
Passive House (Passivhaus) Architects in Northern Ireland
The home you always dreamed ofâŠ.
Our architectural approach focuses on elevating everyday spaces through a combination of craftsmanship, sustainable design and a hands-on approach to design and construction.
SPACE · LIGHT · DELIGHT
Architecture should make your head turnâŠ
The beauty of creative and thoughtful design should be for everyone. Good design isn't just about making things work â it's about adding those special touches that make people smile or feel inspired.
Got a dream? Let's bring it to life together!
Whether you're picturing your perfect home, thinking about adding some extra space, or giving your place a fresh new look, we're here to help make it happen.
We love creating modern designs that fit perfectly with their surroundings. We work with local materials and local companies to bring a touch of your community into every project.
Our style? Think warm, natural materials, subtle contrasts, and those details that make all the difference. We put our heart into every element.
So, what's your vision? Whatever creative project you have in mind, we're excited to roll up our sleeves and turn those ideas into reality. Let's chat and see where your imagination takes us!
As architects in Northern Ireland, we specialise in innovative Passive House / Passivhaus design.
We are a design-led studio, devoted to providing genuinely sustainable, affordable and practical architecture.
We are architects in Northern Ireland who promote Passive House / Passivhaus design that provides beautiful and comfortable new homes and buildings.
You get our full attention, and you wonât get something ordinary
PASSIVE HOUSE FAQs
What exactly is a Passive House?
A Passive House is like a cozy sweater for your home, designed to keep you comfortable all year-round. It stays warm in winter and cool in summer without relying heavily on a heating system. This is achieved through a building design that makes the most of the free energy from the sun and internal heat sources, from cooking and even from people, and uses super-insulated walls, windows, and roofs and super-airtight building details.
The result is a home that maintains a steady, comfortable temperature of 20C using very little energy - you could heat the whole house with about the same power as a hair dryer! It's not just comfortable, but also cheap to run and environmentally friendly. Imagine living in a home that wraps you in comfort like a warm blanket, all while saving you money and helping the environment.
How much energy can I expect to save with a Passive House?
The energy savings in a Passive House are pretty impressive! On average, you can expect to use about 90% less energy for heating compared to a typical home. That's a huge difference!
To put it in everyday terms, imagine if your car suddenly needed only one tank of fuel to drive the same distance that used to take ten tanks. That's the kind of energy saving we're talking about with a Passive House. Your energy bills could shrink to a fraction of what you're used to paying. Some Passive House owners report annual heating bills as low as the cost of a nice dinner out! While the exact savings can vary depending on your lifestyle and local energy prices, most people see a dramatic drop in their energy use. This not only saves you money but also significantly reduces your home's impact on the environment.
Is a Passive House more expensive than a standard house?
Some say that building a Passive House typically costs about 5-10% more upfront than a regular home. But we believe that the overall cost of building a Passive House is similar to a standard home built to the current building regulations. A recent financial case study has shown that itâs actually cheaper to build a 3 bedroom, 2-storey semi-detached house to achieve Passive House standards, than it is to meet the minimum building regulations!
With clever design and careful planning, we can build a Passive House for the same budget as a traditional house. It's all about making intelligent choices from the start. Instead of spending money on complex heating and cooling systems, we invest in better insulation, high-quality triple glazed windows, and efficient ventilation. We might spend a bit more on some components, but we save on others. The key is thinking about the whole picture - not just the building cost, but also the running costs and long-term value. Plus, with energy bills being so much lower in a Passive House, you start saving money from day one. It's like getting a more comfortable, healthier home with the bonus of lower bills, all for the same initial cost.
Is a Passive House suitable for the Irish climate?
Absolutely! Passive Houses are like chameleons - they adapt beautifully to their surroundings, and that includes the Irish climate. In fact, Ireland's mild, damp weather is a great match for Passive House design.
Think of a Passive House as a really smart jacket. Just as a good jacket keeps you dry in the rain and warm on chilly days, a Passive House keeps your home comfortable no matter what's happening outside. It handles our wet winters by keeping dampness out and warmth in. In summer, it stays cool without needing air conditioning. A Passive House is designed to make the most of any sunny days we get (yes, we do get some!), while also dealing with our cloudy, drizzly ones. Plus, the constant fresh air circulation is perfect for preventing the mustiness that can sometimes occur in traditional Irish homes during damp weather. So, whether it's misty in Armagh or bright in Enniskillen, a Passive House keeps you cozy and comfortable, while being right at home in the Irish climate. As architects in Northern Ireland, we recommend Passive House design as a fantastic solution to your new home anywhere in Ireland or the UK.
Will a Passive House look different to a regular house?
Not at all! A Passive House can look just like any other home you admire. It's a bit like a car with a super-efficient engine - from the outside, you can't tell the difference.
You have complete freedom to choose the style you love, whether that's a cozy cottage, a sleek modern design, or a traditional family home. The magic of a Passive House happens mostly behind the scenes, in the walls, windows, and roof. So while the house is working extra hard to keep you comfortable and save energy, it can still have all the curb appeal you want. You can have big openable windows, beautiful facades, and any interior design you prefer. The only difference you might notice is how comfortable and quiet it feels inside - and of course, those lower energy bills!
Is it difficult to maintain a Passive House?
A Passive House actually needs less special equipment than you might think. In fact, it's designed to be simple and easy to maintain.
The main difference you'll notice is a ventilation system that keeps fresh air flowing through your home. But don't worry - it's not complicated. It's like having a very quiet, efficient fan that works in the background, keeping your air fresh and clean. You just need to change the filters every now and then, kind of like replacing the bag in your vacuum cleaner.
Apart from that, a Passive House is pretty much like any other home. You don't need fancy heating systems or complicated controls. The house does most of the work itself, keeping warm in winter and cool in summer. So instead of fiddling with radiators or air conditioners, you can just relax and enjoy your comfortable home. It's a bit like having a car that mostly drives itself - you're still in control, but a lot of the hard work is taken care of for you. Simple, easy, and comfortable - that's what Passive House living is all about!
We are here to listen and to understand what you wish to create
We care about the environment, where materials come from and how they will last over time. We will empower you so that you feel confident about the decisions you make so that you can relax and watch them come to fruition.
We're passionate about all the little details that make a house feel like home. We think about everything - from the warm touch of a handrail to the way sunlight streams in during different parts of the day.
Our goal is to make the whole process of creating your new space exciting and fun. We hope that when you're all settled in, you'll still feel the care and enthusiasm we poured into every aspect of your home. It's not just a project for us - it's a shared journey to bring your dream home to life!
How we design
We are fascinated with sustainable architecture and how clever design solutions can both help save the planet and also save you money!
We're big fans of innovative timber construction â it's eco-friendly and super efficient. Imagine having your home built in just a few weeks instead of waiting around for months! No more worrying about rain delays or scheduling headaches with tradespeople.
The best part? Your entire house structure can be crafted in a controlled factory setting, then delivered right to your doorstep. It's like a giant, grown-up IKEA project! Before you know it, you'll have a snug, weatherproof home to call your own.
Where we design
We are architects in Northern Ireland, based in Co. Fermanagh, and we can undertake work anywhere on the island of Ireland.
We can also undertake work anywhere in the UK, and have experience of building in England and Wales. We are looking forward to receiving our first commission from Scotland!
âAnyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple.â
A quote from Charles Mingus, one of the greatest jazz artists and composers of the 20th century that resonates with our design approach. It can seem overwhelming at times deciding on whatâs the best way to realising your goals. We believe that there is beauty in simplicity.
Download our super useful Passive House Myth-busting guide!
Lets have a chatâŠ
We are a small studio of architects in Northern Ireland who are solely devoted to designing exceptional buildings and homes for people who love architecture.
We understand that we are not for every client and we donât take on projects that donât align with our own sustainability values.
We relish the challenge of finding the best design that will have the most positive impact on your life and your family and thatâs kind to the planet.
