The Net Zero Home is located in County Wexford in Ireland, 800m from Crossabeg village and 10 km from Wexford town.

The site presents a south-facing slope offering open views in a rural landscape.

The neighbouring buildings are scattered across the landscape and consist of a mix of agricultural sheds, outbuildings, farm houses and dwelling houses with one or two storeys.

There is a pattern of materials that is repeated within the area giving it a sense of harmony, these include corrugated metal, rubble stone and white renders.

The south facing aspect of the site offers good access to solar radiation and daylight which are essential for the application of the Passive House standard and passive solar design in general.

The design is strongly related to the landscape and the place, and uses a contemporary language based on traditional elements and materials.

The site layout is inspired by the nearby traditional courtyard farmyards.

Three main volumes inspired by traditional forms create a balanced composition with different heights. The existing rhythm and repetitive pattern of the trees in the northern boundary is reflected in these volumes establishing a strong relationship between the house and the landscape.

The two-storeys volume is conceived to mimic the agricultural buildings in the area. The visual impact is reduced by careful selection of materials that play with mass and weight whilst combining the present with the past.

A combination of passive strategies, including strategically designed canopies and blinds, played a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency and comfort. These elements were integrated to maximize shade during summer months, preventing overheating, while allowing ample sunlight in the winter, thereby reducing the need for active heating and cooling systems.

The approach to the house is humble, leaving visitors curious about what lies beyond while providing privacy for the family. Once inside, the space opens up to reveal rooms full of light and connected to the outdoors.

The idea of creating a unique Passive House drawing strongly from the local vernacular forms and materiality has been central to this project.

One of the main goals for this project was to achieve net zero carbon emissions. All the design strategies, material choices, and construction processes were meticulously aligned with this objective.

The technical design was focused on fabric efficiency and airtightness.

Our design approach considers that Passive House buildings do not have to compromise on their design quality. The idea of creating a unique Passive House drawing strongly from the local vernacular forms and materiality has been paramount to this project.

With the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions, sustainability remained a central focus throughout the project. All the material choices and construction processes were meticulously aligned with this objective.