Waterfall Passive House

Client – Private Client

Status – On Site 

A newbuild family home of c. 210 sqm is currently under construction in Waterfall, Co, Cork. Designed to the Passive House standard, the dwelling is anticipated to have an A1 BER rating.

The site sits adjacent to the disused Ballincollig army barracks reservoir, now well known for carp fishing. The site is particularly attractive with views of the reservoir to the west. Landscaping is proposed to be natural and low maintenance, with screening to the northern neighbours and to the east along the public road. The southern boundary comprises existing mature vegetation and trees.

Located on the site of an old tennis court, the new timber frame, 3-bed dwelling will be a simple pitched roof form, with strong gables to the east and west. It is optimally orientated for solar gain on an east / west axis. A timber pergola will be provided to the south for shading, and along with integrated passive stack ventilation, will help to mitigate overheating in the summer months.

Accessed from the north, accommodation comprises an entrance hall, bathroom, open plan living / kitchen / dining space, utility room, a separate snug and bedroom at ground floor level. Upstairs there are two further bedrooms, a family bathroom, plant room and an additional study / play area at an open landing.

The southeast and northwest corners of the dwelling have been carved out to create covered storage at the back door / utility area and a sheltered terrace with views to the reservoir outside the snug respectively.

The dwelling will be finished in a self-coloured render and fibre cement roof slates, with triple glazed timber aluclad windows and doors. A Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system will be provided, with a drying tower utilising the exhaust side for fast and efficient clothes drying. The compact MVHR unit also provides hot water, utilising excess energy from the heat recovery system that would otherwise be wasted. A solar PV array will be provided to the roof with provision for a future battery.

This project is due for completion in early Summer 2023.