HPH344: Hazel Tree Passivhaus – with Janice Gardiner
Jan 31, 2024
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Janice Gardiner, an ecologist and Passivhaus project client, discusses her award-winning project, Hazel Tree Passive House. She talks about finding the site, choosing an architect with ecological credentials, using clay plaster as a finish, DIY kitchen installation, challenges faced, DIY plant room design, electricity consumption, sustainable changes, visiting the show notes, and the membership community announcement.
Janice and her husband actively participated in the decision-making process, incorporating their values of sustainability and simplicity into their choices.
Living in their passive house has improved their energy bills significantly, with their electricity generation exceeding their consumption, allowing for exports and financial rewards.
Deep dives
Janice Gardner's Award-Winning Project: Hazel Tree Passive House
Janice Gardner embarked on a self-build adventure in the countryside after her children left home. Unable to find an existing house that met their criteria, they discovered a plot of land for sale with stunning countryside views. The site included an old pub garden and a nearby grassland field. Janice and her husband decided to build their eco-friendly home on this land, with the goal of downsizing and creating an environmentally conscious dwelling. They enlisted the expertise of architect Josh from Green Trace Architects, who helped them design a sustainable and modern home. The house is built using a timber frame with wood fiber insulation, and it is clad in a combination of tin and verceda. The interior features clay plaster finishes throughout. The couple also opted for passive house certification to ensure optimal thermal performance. The completed home offers a seamless open-plan living space, exemplifying their desire for a social and eco-friendly dwelling.
Challenges and Decision-Making in the Building Process
Despite the smooth progression of the project, there were some challenges along the way. The most significant obstacle was getting concrete delivered to the site due to limited access. However, the overall build was completed within nine months. Janice and her husband actively participated in the decision-making process, considering factors such as material choices, finishes, and layout. They incorporated their values of sustainability and simplicity into their choices, including the installation of a clay plaster finish and a bespoke DIY kitchen. Although the project exceeded their initial budget, the couple felt it was worth it to achieve their desired quality and finishes.
Living in a Passive House: Comfort and Energy Performance
Living in their passive house has been a revelation for Janice and her husband. The consistent temperature throughout the house, regardless of room or time of day, is a standout feature. They constantly monitor the temperatures within the house and have observed that it stays consistently warm during the day, even after a cold night. The energy bills have significantly improved, with their electricity generation exceeding their consumption, allowing for exports and financial rewards. While they have not yet installed a battery for energy storage, they may consider it in the future. Overall, the couple's eco-friendly home has not only provided comfort and energy savings but also inspired their local community's interest in sustainable living.
Janice Gardiner, an ecologist and the client of last week’s interviewee Josh Wood at Green Trace Architect, is here to tell us what it is like to be the client on a Passivhaus project and share what she has learnt from the experience.