Nick White (Hockerton Housing Project): (11-01-06)
RE: Passivhaus (Passive Houses)
We looked at the article and came to a smilar conclusion to Phil Reddy & his Underground House - i.e the design principles of the homes at Hockerton Housing Project are remarkably similar to Passivhaus. Perhaps not surprising as The Underground House & Hockerton Housing Project have a lot in common. Interestingly Bill Dunster the architect for the BedZED Project (referenced in the article as essentially passive houses) has stated in a previous BFAF that he drew much inspiration from Robert & Brenda Vale, the architects for Hockerton Housing Project (1994)& their own 'Automomous House' (1992). Perhaps one could argue that the Vale's pre-empted the Passive House concept for the UK, but for the name. BUT the important point is that there are designers and self-builders willing to pioneer new standards to encourage or shame the mainstreanm to at least move up a gear.
