Issue 51 - passivehouseplus.ie

World-renowned green building writer Lloyd Alter spills the beans on the first ever combined UK and Ireland passive house conference in Belfast.

Life cycle assessments are crucial for sustainable building design, but understanding their inherent limitations is key to making better decisions with imperfect data, writes Dr Lois Hurst.

Made to look easy on TV, Duncan and Anaya decided to give selfbuilding a go and somehow created the most comfortable house they’ve ever lived in – even in the face of extreme heat events.

An award-winning retrofit demonstrates that universal design and ultra-low energy performance are powerful allies, not competing priorities.

With 35,000 homes under their belt, one of the UK and Ireland's most prolific developers has just completed its first passive house scheme - aided by an innovative airtightness approach.

Big Picture - Forrest Passive House in Spotswood achieves certification while maintaining contemporary family functionality through thoughtful material choices and spatial planning.

An architect’s four-year quest to build his family home on a Dublin laneway demonstrates how mass timber can maximize space and character in the tightest urban sites – with award-winning results, and fascinating performance insights.

Additional reporting by Jeff Colley

A thermal bridging issue that has long plagued external wall insulation systems at building base levels could be costing homeowners the equivalent of 25 mm of insulation thickness, according to new independent testing.

Build Homes Better has secured an updated KIWA Agrément certificate for its Isoquick insulated foundation system, adding a brick support detail that solves a critical structural requirement set by leading warranty providers including the National House Building Council (NHBC).