Passivhaus replacement dwelling in the heart of the village of Wheathampstead. This beautiful plot currently houses an old, highly inefficient bungalow which is to be replaced with a highly efficient family home. The house will be constructed from prefabricated timber frame panels which are insulated using cellulose insulation (recycled newspaper) and are factory airtightness tested to ensure that they meet the Passive House standard. The southern-facing roof slope will use solar panels as the roof finish. This will further reduce the energy demands of the houses and supplement the hot water requirements, the rest of which will be provided by an air source heat pump, rendering the property ‘gas free’. The walls are to be finished in a mixture of lime render and locally sourced vertical British larch cladding which ties the house to its position on the edge of a large south-facing garden and provides a sustainable and breathable construction solution. The house makes the most of the natural light available on the site through a double height hallway with rooflight and gallery landing and vaulted bedrooms, providing an excellent internal environment for the inhabitants, which, when coupled with the MVHR ventilation system will create a very healthy living environment, free from pollutants and allergens.