A Passive timber frame contemporary home
Engineering the building envelope
Cherry Orchard was built using our Passive timber frame panel system, engineered to create a thermal-bridge-free building envelope capable of achieving near-Passivhaus levels of performance.
The wall panels achieve U-values of 0.14 W/m²K, while the roof achieves 0.11 W/m²K. Insulated with natural wood fibre, the system also benefits from excellent decrement delay, slowing heat transfer through the building fabric during warmer months to help maintain comfortable internal temperatures without relying solely on mechanical cooling.
Manufactured off-site under controlled workshop conditions, the panel system delivers predictable thermal performance, exceptional build quality and high levels of airtightness.
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Performance Highlights
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Location
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Herefordshire
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Sector
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Residential
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Project Type
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Contemporary new build
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Structural System
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Oak frame
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Panel System
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Passive Timber Frame Panel System
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Wall U-value
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0.14 W/m²K
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Roof U-value
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0.11 W/m²K
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Window U-value
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0.98 W/m²K
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Airtightness
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0.62 ACH (AeroSealUK)
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Ventilation
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Heat Pump Ventilation (HPV) with MVHR
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Heating & Cooling
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Integrated Heat Pump Ventilation
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Hot Water
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Micro Air Source Heat Pump
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Smart Controls
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BauLogic Smart Home System
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Renewables
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Solar panels
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Building performance
The design of Cherry Orchard demonstrates how multiple building systems can work together to create an exceptionally efficient, comfortable and resilient home.
A certified airtightness result of 0.62 ACH through AeroSealUK’s AeroBarrier technology significantly reduces uncontrolled air leakage, enabling the Heat Pump Ventilation (HPV) system to become the home's primary heating and cooling source.
Rather than using conventional heating, the HPV system incorporates a micro air source heat pump within the MVHR, allowing warm or cooled air to be distributed efficiently throughout the home. During summer months, the system can reduce internal temperatures by 4–5°C, helping mitigate overheating while maintaining occupant comfort.
Triple-glazed windows, doors and rooflights with average U-values of 0.98 W/m²K improve both thermal and acoustic performance. Solar control glazing has also been specified on south-facing elevations to minimise unwanted solar gain during hotter periods.
Integrated building services
This homes fabric-first approach is complemented by carefully selected building services that work together as one integrated system.
These include:
- A Heat Pump Ventilation (HPV) providing primary heating and summer cooling.
- A Micro Air Source Heat Pump supplying up to 900 litres of domestic hot water per day, alongside approximately 80m² of underfloor heating demand.
- A BauLogic Smart Home System, allowing room-by-room control of temperature and lighting through integrated smart thermostats.
- Solar Panels, generating renewable electricity to further reduce operational energy demand.
- Carefully considered ventilation and opening strategies designed to purge warm air naturally during periods of high summer temperatures.
Why specify our Passive Timber Frame System in your own project?
This project demonstrates how our Passive panel system enables architects and specifiers to deliver buildings that prioritise performance without compromising design flexibility.
Key specification benefits include:
- Thermal-bridge-free building envelope
- Wall U-values of 0.14 W/m²K
- Roof U-values of 0.11 W/m²K
- Natural wood fibre insulation
- Excellent decrement delay for improved summer comfort
- Precision off-site manufactured panels
- Airtightness of 0.62 ACH delivered by AeroSealUK’s innovative AeroBarrier technology
- Compatible with integrated heating, cooling and ventilation systems
- Vapour-open construction
- Flexible detailing for bespoke architectural designs
Whole house performance
Rather than focusing on individual products, this project demonstrates the benefits of designing a house as one integrated system.
The thermal-bridge-free building envelope, natural insulation, high levels of airtightness, Heat Pump Ventilation, smart controls and renewable energy generation have all been carefully selected to work together, creating a home that is comfortable, energy efficient and resilient throughout the year.
This holistic approach is central to our philosophy, supporting you as Architects in delivering buildings that perform as well in occupation as they do in design.
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