DCH Construction has completed one of its most ambitious private projects yet. Our team built a striking new family home, marrying rustic charm with cutting-edge performance to Passivhaus Plus standards.
Our client was keen to create a contemporary home sympathetic to its location on a working farm, nestled in the North Essex countryside. We honoured local character placing corrugated metal roof panels over exposed British Larch timbers, using ‘Barn-Black’ weatherboard cladding and natural clay plaster finishes – a low-maintenance wall-finish was created by applying white plaster directly to the straw and timber frame – this gave the new house a weathered appearance that sits well alongside the ancient barns on the site.
Inside, the modern vaulted living space is strikingly different to the traditional look-and-feel of the barn’s exterior. The star of the show is the durable, polished concrete floor slab nicknamed ‘farm terrazzo’ by the project team. The exposed aggregate in the diamond-ground concrete giving a surprisingly warm feel. This striking flooring complements the family’s bespoke, luxury kitchen from Italy.
Triple-glazed windows and doors, from Internorm, were used on the project. High-performance glass and integrated blinds prevent the home overheating during the Summer, while sheep’s wool insulation around the frames reduces heat-loss in the winter – creating a more energy-efficient building.
To tackle the heavy clay subsoil, we installed an innovative Isoquick raft foundation system of insulated blocks as a permanent form for the reinforced concrete slab. Above ground, we used an EcoCocon frame kit. Manufactured in Lithuania, EcoCocon is a straw-panel construction with Steico rigid fibreboard insulation applied to the outer-face.
We also designed and constructed the timber roof using Steico joists from Poland. These slender beams combine fibre-board webs and timber flanges giving a slim profile, and Warmcell cellulose insulation was pumped into the voids between the joists. Combined, these measures significantly help to reduce heat loss.
Uniquely, the air-tight layer of this Passivhaus sits on the outside of the building envelope. This challenged our team, who needed to ensure that the building was well-sealed both for the comfort of our clients and to meet building regulations.
Through clever use of membranes, tapes and sealing grommets, the fabric achieved air-test expectations. Representatives of Pro Clima, who visited the site, were very complimentary about the design detailing and how we used their sealing products in the build.
For the family’s convenience all building systems can be managed via apps. As the farm is so remote, a permanent broadband connection was not available. Instead, the client opted for a Starlink satellite receiver, which offers reliable high-speed internet regardless of location.
By incorporating these technologies, the building achieves net-negative annual CO2 emissions and meets the Passivhaus Plus standard – certifying that it generates as much renewable energy as its occupants use.
At DCH we deliver homes that look and feel timeless, while radically reducing energy bills and carbon emissions. Our, almost, 80-year legacy of construction craftsmanship paired with our expertise in Passivhaus construction ensures your vision becomes a reality, whether you’re planning a bespoke rural residence or a sustainable housing scheme.
View more photographs of the project by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
Ready to build your future-proof home? Get in touch with DCH Construction today.