The post Behind the Design: Fairview appeared first on HAPA Architects.

Start with the Building Fabric

One of the most important lessons is that sustainability begins with the building itself. High levels of insulation, excellent airtightness and careful detailing are often more important than any single piece of technology. A well-designed building envelope reduces energy demand throughout the life of the home, creating a comfortable internal environment while lowering running costs.

 

Passive Solar Design Matters

Understanding the path of the sun is fundamental. By positioning glazing carefully, we can maximise natural daylight and winter solar gain while minimising overheating during the summer months. At Black Timber House and Fairview, passive solar principles played a significant role in achieving excellent energy performance while creating bright and uplifting living spaces.

 

Technology Works Best When Demand Is Low

Air Source Heat Pumps, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), battery storage and solar PV systems can all contribute to reducing energy consumption. However, these technologies perform most effectively when paired with a highly efficient building fabric.

The goal is not simply to generate more energy but to need less energy in the first place.

 

Natural Materials Create Better Homes

Sustainable architecture is about more than energy performance. The use of natural materials such as timber, slate, flint and oak creates healthier and more enduring buildings that age gracefully and connect occupants to their surroundings.

 

Every Site Requires a Different Response

There is no single formula for sustainable architecture. A listed cottage, a replacement dwelling and a contemporary countryside home each require different solutions. What remains consistent is the need to balance environmental performance, architectural quality and the experience of living within the building.

 

Looking Forward

As building regulations continue to evolve and energy costs remain a consideration for homeowners, low-energy design is becoming increasingly important. Our experience across Sussex has shown that sustainable homes can be beautiful, comfortable and deeply connected to their setting while significantly reducing their environmental impact.

 

If you are considering a new build, renovation or extension project, we would be happy to discuss how sustainable design principles can be incorporated from the outset: info@hapa-architects.co.uk

 

Related Projects:

Black Timber House

The Brick Barn
Old Rectory Cottage

Fairview

 

Related Services:

Sustainable Homes

New Build Homes

The post What We Learned Designing Low-Energy Homes in Sussex appeared first on HAPA Architects.

We are proud to share the near completion of our Fairview project – a contemporary, low-energy family home that has achieved an exceptional EPC rating of A – 104A.

Fairview was conceived as a high-performance home that sits lightly on the land, both literally and environmentally. The new dwelling was designed to sit on the existing foundations and follow the original footprint of a previously altered and inefficient chalet bungalow. By reusing these foundations and maximising the site’s potential, we created a sustainable home tailored to contemporary family life. for more about how we incorporate sustainability and low energy architecture into our projects, take a look here.

With spectacular views to the north-east over the floodplains of Lewes and Offham, the previous dwelling failed to take full advantage of its location. Internally, it was compromised with small windows, dark rooms and a layout that had been adjusted many times over the years. It was also extremely energy-hungry and in need of comprehensive renovation.

Our approach focused on transforming the site into a bright, open and healthy living environment, supported by a suite of integrated sustainable technologies and fabric-first design.

Key sustainable features include:

• Home battery storage

• Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)

• A 9kWp solar PV array

• Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)

• Underfloor heating throughout

• Very low U-values for walls, roof and glazing

• Passive solar design and careful orientation

With a total internal area of 216 m², the house has been designed to connect more meaningfully with its surrounding landscape. The new design makes better use of external amenity spaces, including new terrace surfaces and landscaping. Glazing to the north-east has been carefully positioned to maximise views and natural light while retaining privacy thanks to the elevated and set-back nature of the site.

Alterations to the existing garage have created a flexible gym space with further views to the landscape beyond. The result is a carefully considered, low-energy family home that delivers high standards of environmental performance without compromising on quality of materials, spatial experience or liveability.

Fairview is a demonstration of how thoughtful, sustainable architecture can improve both the performance and enjoyment of a home, and we are delighted to see it delivered to such a high standard. For more information on new build homes take a look here.

The post Fairview: A Low-Energy Home Achieving an Outstanding EPC A 104A appeared first on HAPA Architects.

The Modern House recently featured Black Timber House. Thank you to Harriet Thorpe for the wonderful article. You can read the full piece here.
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Here are a few snippets from the article!

“As a gateway to nature itself, this house has a responsibility to respect its surroundings; it nests between a group of ash trees and recedes softly with its dark colour and simple form. Yet at the same time, it has to meditate with nature, to provide shelter and harness energy for living.”

“The materials and energy nature provides were core to the design and functioning of the house. “For us, sustainability is not an add on, but integral to the way the house is designed,” says Stuart. In addition to using renewable materials for much of the structure, sustainable technologies including photovoltaic roof panels and a low-energy heat exchange and ventilation system (MVHR) complement the passive measures embedded in the architecture itself, from shading to insulation (which is 30 per cent higher than the regulatory requirements at the time it was built).”

“In summer I use virtually no energy at all,” says Louise. “Inside, the atmosphere is very even. Even in terrible weather, there’s no condensation or draughts, it’s just a very calm environment to live in.”

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If you would like to know more about Black Timber House do take a look at the project here.

The post The Modern House – Feature appeared first on HAPA Architects.