This private residential project consisted of a new six bedroom residence located on the site of the owner’s existing house. The brief included the provision of services to minimise energy consumption, provide comfort and ease of use whilst keeping a sensible and manageable approach to the controls, such that as technologies are developed and superseded, the systems could be upgraded and adapted as opposed to being replaced.

Hive worked with the architect to ensure that the building form would meet the client’s requirements whilst reducing any unnecessary heat gains or losses wherever possible with passive means. Specific area of note included:

• CWS booster to ensure that water flow was preserved
• Adequately sized hot water services to ensure consistent hot water supply when the multiple bathrooms are in use
• Provision of internal and external plant space to minimise provision and be sympathetic of noise
• Lighting and lighting controls
• Use of underfloor heating and cooling, along with air source heat pumps to complement the building’s internal thermal comfort control
• Use of dual source towel rails to ensure full, effective and energy efficient operation at all times
• Use of solar tunnels to increase natural daylight
• Future proofing for PV array