FEATURE THERMAL EFFICIENCY
Woodfibre and Healthy Homes
Image © Mac Eye Projects and Mac Eye Photography
‘The Paddock’ is a super example of how you can reinvent the classic country cottage as a thermally efficient, timber frame, Passivhaus standard home.
N
estling in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds is a self-
continuous layer of 100mm Pavatex Isolair from Soprema’s woodfibre
build project which proves that bespoke homes don’t
insulation range could be used to provide a thermal bridge-free external
need to be extravagant to be exceptional. Constructed
envelope across the walls and roof. The specification combined the
to Passivhaus standards to deliver both sustainability
Pavatex Isolair for the walls and roof with a roof build-up that includes
and low running costs, The Paddock makes use of woodfibre
sheep’s wool insulation and pro-passive OSB board.
insulation from Soprema’s Pavatex range. The result is a modest
A vapour permeable and water resistant dry processed woodfibre
two-bedroom cottage that has achieved outstanding thermal
board for use in wall and roof build-ups, Soprema’s Pavatex Isolair
performance with the use of a natural, renewable material that’s in
system has tongue and groove edges to enable sections of insulation
tune with the ethos of the project and its location.
to be fitted neatly and precisely together, creating a smooth and
Located near Shipston-on-Stour, The Paddock is a two-bedroom,
continuous surface.
two-bathroom timber frame property with a double height open plan living area. While not certified as Passivhaus, as this involves additional costs for certification, the 1.5 storey bungalow has exceeded the airtightness and thermal performance requirements of the standard, while complementing its natural surroundings. Designed and constructed by Passivhaus and sustainable building specialist, Mac Eye Projects, The Paddock has been built for a private client on land owned by her family. The brief was to use natural materials wherever possible and minimise the environmental impact of the build, while creating a comfortable home requiring minimal heating or cooling. Preventing thermal bridging Mac Eye Projects has worked with Soprema’s Pavatex products on many previous projects, including Larch Corner, which won the prestigious Passivhaus Trust Award. Thanks to this experience of the
Image © Mac Eye Projects and Mac Eye Photography
system, Andy MacKay, consultant at Mac Eye Projects, knew that a
Timber Construction Magazine
Autumn 2021
22
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