Firs Field establishes new possibilities for energy-efficient rural living through a three-bedroom home that belongs utterly to its rural Warwickshire setting. Designed to settle naturally among agricultural buildings and barns, the house adopts the pitched roofs and corrugated cladding that define this working landscape, proving that high-performance buildings can speak the local vernacular.
The plan divides into two distinct volumes running north-west to south-east, creating strategic environmental zoning. Living areas claim the south-west orientation, maximising sunlight and capturing views across neighbouring fields, while bedrooms occupy the cooler, quieter north-east aspect. This arrangement generates two complementary outdoor spaces: a north garden that borrows space from the adjacent field, extending the property’s visual boundaries, and a south garden neatly framed by the separate garage and storage building.
The rural location inspired exceptional energy performance. The house is designed to Passivhaus standards, delivering exceptional thermal performance and airtightness that minimises heating requirements. An air source heat pump provides heating and hot water without relying on gas infrastructure, while on-site renewable power generation significantly reduces mains electricity consumption. Mains water and electricity connections ensure reliability while the building’s ultra-efficient fabric minimises actual demand.
This project showcased our collaborative approach to complex building performance. Initially appointed by architects Blee Halligan as Passivhaus consultants through planning submission, Mountain Fold subsequently worked directly with the client as architect for technical design and construction stages, ensuring seamless continuity from concept to completion.
Construction concluded in 2023, creating a home that proves high-performance rural housing can combine cutting-edge efficiency with practical infrastructure connections.
