PASSIVE HOUSE
DESIGN & BUILD
Passive House Design & Build — PHPP-Driven New Homes
PHPP-driven design and delivery of low-energy homes. We optimize the envelope, airtightness, HRV and thermal bridges, coordinate BIM and permits, and guide you through tender and construction.
- Landowners, self-builders and developers targeting Passive House-level comfort and efficiency.
- Overseas owners seeking an architect-led, end-to-end process.
- Envelope: U-values, insulation and glazing/shading balance.
- Airtightness & bridges: ψ-value-driven junction details.
- Ventilation (HRV): balanced fresh air, filtration and acoustics.
- PHPP modeling: targets, variants and result summaries.
- BIM & permits: coordinated drawings/specs for approval.
- Tender & construction: pricing support and site QA.
- Brief & targets → comfort/energy goals and budget.
- Concept & schematic → massing, glazing, shading, early PHPP.
- BIM & permits → coordinated set and specifications.
- Tender → BOQ/spec support and clarifications.
- Construction → site QA and airtightness testing.
To work efficiently and avoid delays, we ask for:
- Good existing information
Plans with dimensions, photos or a short video walk-through of the property. - Clarity on use & priorities
Is this mainly for your own use, guests, or rental?
What matters more to you: durability, aesthetics, speed, or budget? - A realistic budget range
Even a window (for example: “We are comfortable with 20–30k € for furniture and decor”)
helps us select the right level of brands and solutions. - Decision structure
Who makes final decisions and how quickly can you respond to selections and changes? - Access & contacts on site
A local contact (if available), building rules and any specific delivery constraints
(elevator size, loading hours, etc.).
- Fixed proposal after the brief call.
- Energy targets and PHPP guide scope and cost decisions.
Furnishing a finished property seems “simple” until you start comparing hundreds of options,
checking dimensions, dealing with out-of-stock items, scheduling deliveries and solving problems on site.
This service helps you to:
- Avoid expensive mistakes
Wrong sizes, poor ergonomics or pieces that simply don’t work together are far more costly
than a coordinated design process. - Save weeks of your time
We handle the research, shortlisting, ordering and communication with suppliers. - Use your budget strategically
Some items need to be premium, others can be “smart compromise”.
We help you decide where to invest and where to save. - Leverage trade access and local knowledge
We work with a mix of trade suppliers and local partners
so you’re not limited to what you see in one or two showrooms. - Get to “ready to use” faster
Instead of a property that slowly fills up over months,
you get a clear path to a fully furnished, photographable and functional interior.
- PHPP workbook and result summary.
- Coordinated drawings, details and specs for permits.
- QA checklists, airtightness test plan and handover docs.
Do you work only on Madeira?
We are based in Madeira but also take on selected projects in the UK and Croatia, and occasionally
in other locations where logistics make sense. The exact scope depends on how much we can coordinate
remotely and what local support is available.
Can you work with my existing furniture?
Yes. We can integrate key pieces you already own, re-plan around them, and then complete the interior
with new items. In some cases we propose a phased replacement plan.
Do I have to buy everything through you?
For our Full and Turnkey packages we normally coordinate procurement to control quality, lead times
and consistency. For an Essential / design-only package, you can use our shopping list to order items
yourself.
What if my budget is limited?
We can adjust scope and brand level to your budget, but we will always be honest if your expectations
and budget don’t match. It is better to clarify this at the start than to compromise quality too much.
Can you help if I’m not in the country?
Yes. Most of our projects involve remote owners. We work via video calls, shared folders and messaging,
and coordinate on-site work with local partners and contractors.
Concept &
Schematic Design
Passive House (Design & Construction)
PHPP-driven comfort and efficiency from concept to handover.
We design and deliver low-energy homes that are comfortable year-round and economical to run. Using PHPP and coordinated engineering, we optimize the envelope, airtightness, ventilation and thermal bridges, then provide permit-ready documentation and manage a clear route to tender and construction.
Who this is for
- Landowners and self-builders aiming for Passive House-level performance.
- Developers who want predictable comfort, low energy bills and strong resale value.
- Overseas owners who need an architect-led, end-to-end process.
What’s included
- Envelope optimization: U-values, insulation strategy, glazing ratio, shading and orientation.
- Airtightness & thermal bridges: details and ψ-value reductions at junctions.
- Ventilation (HRV): balanced supply/extract, filtration, acoustic and maintenance access.
- Energy modeling (PHPP): targets, inputs, variants and result summaries for decisions.
- BIM & permits: coordinated drawings, schedules and specifications for approvals.
- Tender & construction: BOQ/spec support, site supervision and airtightness testing coordination.
Process & timeline
- Brief & targets: comfort, energy and budget goals.
- Concept & schematic: massing, glazing, shading and early PHPP checks.
- BIM & permit package: coordinated plans, sections, details and specs.
- Tender: pricing support and contractor clarifications.
- Construction: site QA, airtightness tests and handover documentation.
Why it matters
- Comfort: stable temperatures, quiet interiors, filtered fresh air.
- Low running costs: substantially reduced energy demand.
- Value: higher marketability and long-term performance.
What we need from you
- Plot survey/topo and constraints; target area and room program.
- Preferred materials and systems; any authority guidance.
- Budget envelope and timeline expectations.
Outcome: a coordinated Passive House design with PHPP results, permit-ready documentation and guided delivery to tender and construction.
Next step
Request a Passive House Proposal — share your plot link and brief. We’ll confirm scope, timeline and a fixed fee.
Passive House — FAQ
A building designed to deliver exceptional comfort and ultra-low energy demand through five pillars: super-insulation, airtightness, thermal-bridge control, high-performance windows, and balanced heat-recovery ventilation (HRV). Decisions are validated with PHPP (Passive House Planning Package).
Reference PHI benchmarks (climate-dependent):
- Airtightness: n50 ≤ 0.6 ACH at 50 Pa.
- Heating demand: ~≤ 15 kWh/m²·yr (or peak load ~10 W/m²).
- Cooling demand: ~≤ 15 kWh/m²·yr (with shading/ventilation strategies).
- Primary energy (PER/PE): class thresholds vary (Classic/Plus/Premium).
We set project-specific targets during briefing and PHPP pre-check.
No—certification is optional. Many clients aim for “Passive-level performance” without the paperwork. If you want the PHI certificate, we align details, documentation, and testing to meet the standard and coordinate with an accredited certifier.
PHPP is a rigorously validated energy model. We use it from concept stage to test envelope choices, glazing/shading, ventilation, and systems. It provides clear, comparable results for design decisions and compliance support.
Balanced supply/extract ventilation filters outdoor air, recovers heat (typically 80–90% efficiency), and keeps CO₂ and humidity stable. This means fresh air without drafts or energy penalties.
We address it with orientation, glazing ratio, external shading, night ventilation/thermal mass, and PHPP cooling checks. The goal is to keep operative temperatures comfortable without excessive mechanical cooling.
p>Several systems can hit Passive House targets when detailed correctly:
- ICF / insulated concrete (incl. Passive House Block) — mass core with continuous insulation.
- Timber frame / CLT — thick insulated studs or external insulation + service cavity.
- Masonry + ETICS — blockwork with high-performance external insulation and airtight plaster.
- Hybrid — e.g., CLT floors on ICF walls, or steel where needed with thermal breaks.
Targets (typical new-build ranges): Walls U≈0.10–0.15 W/m²K; Roof U≈0.08–0.12; Floor U≈0.10–0.15; Windows Uw≤0.80–1.0 with warm-edge spacers; n₅₀≤0.6 ACH@50 Pa; junction ψ-values minimized (≈0.00–0.05 W/m·K).
Passive House Block (ICF) — how it meets Passive House
- Composition: stay-in-place insulated concrete formwork with a reinforced concrete core and dual layers of high-performance EPS/graphite EPS. Blocks interlock; ties avoid thermal shortcuts.
- Thermal performance: continuous insulation inside & out delivers low U-values in the Passive range; corner/return blocks limit cold spots; optional thicker outer EPS to tune U.
- Airtightness strategy: the concrete core is the primary air barrier; joints are sealed at slabs and roof; service penetrations concentrated and gasketed; interior plasterboard acts as an additional air-tight layer where required.
- Thermal-bridge control: slab-edge insulation and thermal blocks at balcony/thresholds; insulated window bucks; pre-modeled junctions (ψ-values) with verified details for corners, sills, heads and jambs.
- Windows in the insulation plane: frames are mounted within the outer insulation using certified brackets/tapes; warm-edge spacers and insulated reveals keep internal surface temps high.
- Foundations: insulated raft slab (EPS/XPS) with perimeter upstand; radon membrane and airtight tie-in to the wall core; minimal linear bridges at the wall-to-slab junction.
- Roof interface: warm roof with 300–400 mm insulation; airtight tie-in to wall core; service cavity below to keep penetrations out of the barrier.
- Moisture management: exterior mineral render or ventilated cladding; vapor-open build-up to the outside; dew-point checks in PHPP/WUFI if climate or finishes demand.
- Acoustics & durability: concrete core provides mass for airborne sound insulation; impact-resistant façade; robust fixings for balconies/canopies using thermal-break anchors.
- Build speed & tolerances: fast shell erection; pours in lifts; integrated guides reduce alignment errors; fewer trades for the primary envelope.
- Fire & compliance: EPS is protected by render/cladding internally and externally; detailing follows local code requirements; document fire stopping at penetrations.
- Services integration: HRV ducts planned in ceilings/service zones; wet rooms clustered; pre-formed chases or surface service cavity to avoid cutting into the airtight structure.
- QA & testing: blower-door at pre-cladding and final; on-site checks for airtight ties, insulation continuity, window installation, ψ-junctions as built; PHPP updated with as-built data.
Deliverables with Passive House Block: junction catalogue with ψ-values, window install sections, slab-edge details, airtightness plan, PHPP model & summary, and a site QA checklist to reach n₅₀≤0.6.
No. Passive performance is a set of principles, not a style. We design to your aesthetic (minimal, traditional, or contemporary) while keeping the physics right.
Typical uplift for a new build is often in the 5–12% range versus a code-minimum house, depending on market, size, and specification. Operating costs drop substantially, and comfort is markedly higher. We provide a budget range during concept/schematic and firm pricing at tender.
- Blower-door tests: usually two (pre-cladding and final) to verify airtightness.
- Site QA: inspections of air/thermal layer continuity and junction detailing.
- Commissioning: HRV balancing, heat-pump/controls checks, as-built documentation.
We offer both. Architect-led design through permits and tender, and—if desired—coordinated construction with site QA and airtightness testing until handover.
Indicative for a one-off home:
- Concept & schematic: 4–8 weeks.
- BIM & permits: 6–12 weeks (authority timing varies).
- Tender & contracting: 3–6 weeks.
- Construction: 6–10 months depending on size/system/season.
Commonly an air-to-water or air-to-air heat pump, low-temperature emitters (UFH or fan-coils), and HRV for ventilation. PV/solar-thermal are optional add-ons evaluated in PHPP for ROI.
Yes. The principles adapt to climate. U-values, glazing, shading, and ventilation rates are tuned per region; PHPP climate files ensure decisions are location-specific.
PHPP model & summary, coordinated BIM drawings and specs for permits, airtightness and junction details, tender package, site QA checklists, commissioning records, and (if pursued) certification documentation.
Book a Passive House pre-check: send your plot link, target area, preferred systems, and timeline. We’ll return a fixed proposal with scope, milestones, and fee.
prices
Passive House & Design and Build – typical fees
We design and build Passive House–level homes: PHPP modeling, airtight envelope, HRV, thermal-bridge control, and permit-ready BIM—coordinated through tender, construction, and airtightness testing.
Indicative ranges; ex-VAT, excluding surveys, authority/utility fees, lab testing, and third-party certification.
Typical Fees (Design & Build)
Indicative ranges; ex-VAT, excluding surveys, authority/utility fees, lab testing, and third-party certification.
Design Scope (Architect + PHPP + Coordination)
- Feasibility & PHPP pre-check: €1,500–€3,500 (fixed).
- Concept & Schematic: €35–€60/m² GIA (min €6,000) ≈ 2–3% of build.
- BIM & Permit Drawings: €60–€100/m² GIA (min €12,000) ≈ 3–5% of build.
- PHPP full model & thermal-bridge detailing: €3,500–€8,500 per dwelling ≈ 1–2% of build.
- Tender & BOQ/VE support: 0.5–1.0% of build (min €2,500).
- Site supervision & QA (construction phase): 1.5–3.0% of build (min €8,000).
Typical total (Design-only): 8–14% of construction value (lower % for larger/simple homes).
Design & Build Delivery (General Contractor/CM)
- Contractor/CM fee: 10% of net construction cost (pre-con, management, close-out).
- Airtightness tests (blower-door): €1,000–€2,500 per test stage (usually 2 stages).
- Optional PHI certification: typically €3,000–€6,000 (third-party, scope-dependent).
Quick Examples (replace €/m² and area with your project)
| Home size | Assumed build cost | Design (9–12%) | GC/CM 10% | Tests & cert (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 m² | €1,600/m² → €192,000 | €17,000–€23,000 | €19,200 | €3,000–€6,000 |
| 180 m² | €1,700/m² → €306,000 | €27,000–€37,000 | €30,600 | €3,000–€6,000 |
| 250 m² | €1,800/m² → €450,000 | €36,000–€50,000 | €45,000 | €3,000–€6,000 |
What’s included in our fee
- PHPP-driven envelope/airtightness/HRV strategy and junction ψ-values.
- Coordinated BIM model, permit drawings, schedules and specs.
- Tender assistance, site QA, and airtightness test coordination.
Not included / typical extras
- Topographic & geotechnical surveys; utility applications; authority fees.
- Specialist studies if required (acoustics, fire, ecology, radon, etc.).
- Client changes beyond agreed iterations; non-standard certification pathways.
Next step: request a fixed proposal — share plot link, target area, performance goals, and preferred systems.
