Shu Architects are a small boutique Architectural firm in central Bristol that offers a personal and bespoke service. Formed in 2019 by colleagues Geoff Smith & Claire Humphreys we are passionate about low energy buildings including ensuring that historic buildings are upgraded where possible to be more efficient. We believe in a “fabric first” approach to design where the materials are as thermally efficient as possible with good airtightness and appropriate ventilation. Geoff is a certified Passivhaus designer and Claire is a Conservation Architect as well as having a MSc in Environmental Architecture.
Bristol
Bristol
BS1 5NL
United Kingdom
We are delighted to have received passivhaus certification for a new home in North Somerset. The project was a Class Q conversion of an existing steel framed agricultural barn to a house. The house has a timber i-joist frame with Warmcel blown insulation for the walls and roof. We designed using the passivhaus PHPP model and worked to eliminate thermal bridging with THERM software. Sensible solar design made use of the existing barn’s orientation combined with setting walls back from the roof to protect from summer overheating. We used triple-glazed windows combined with sliding doors and picture windows to ground the house in the landscape.