Passive homes are often criticized for being more about satisfying rigid and strict guidelines than about being a home to somebody. But thankfully, that is starting to change in recent times, as is clearly demonstrated by the so-called Tigh na Croit house recently built in Scotland. Just looking at the pictures I’d never guess this was a Passive Home, due to its modern design. It’s spacious, full of natural daylight and must be quite comfortable to live in. it also recently won the Passivhaus award, given out by UK’s Passivhaus Trust, in the Rural Category.
The L-shaped, single story house features a large open plan kitchen, living and dining area, as well as three bedrooms, a cinema room, a utility space, and a storage area. The main living areas have a southern orientation, and open onto a small but functional terrace, so the occupants can better enjoy the surrounding countryside. Which is absolutely gorgeous, by the way.
The bedrooms face eastward in order to make the most of the rising sun. The home also features large windows throughout, which offers great views, and connect the occupants with the outdoors. The home also features a number of skylights. They installed an air source heat pump and a wood burning stove to provide heating, while the bathrooms are fitted with electric towel bars, which are powerful enough to heat up the space.
The design of the home also looks nothing like the Passive homes we are used to seeing, as in it’s not boxy with small windows. Hopefully, this home is one of the heralds of a new era of more occupant-friendly Passive House designs.
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