Birdsong

 As an architect and self-builder, from the outset our aim was to create a highly insulated, low energy, sustainable family home, which we wanted to adhere to both ‘Passivhaus’ and ‘AECB CarbonLite’ standards. These standards ensure a comfortable and healthy home, in both winter and summer, and ensure energy usage is kept at a minimum, reducing long term energy costs, whilst creating a comfortable, healthy living environment. Our contractor, Avocado Construction, had previously built to the Passivhaus standard. We were passionate about using UK suppliers and local labour where possible. External timber cladding, internal panelling, and timber for the solar shading were all sourced from local sawmills, using timber from British woodlands. We incorporated solar PV and battery storage, an EV charger, Air Source Heat Pump, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), triple glazing, solar shading, water saving fixtures, and ecological enhancements such as bat and bird roosts - even a way to record the Birds themselves! If you’re thinking of installing one or more of these technologies in your own homes, planning a large renovation project, even building a new home, please visit us and ask questions. Instagram account here where we recorded the whole build: https://instagram.com/birdsong_selfbuild