An exceptionally unique project, winning multiple awards. Passivehouse is the ultimate sustainable building, completed with the most effective heat solutions – a combination of MVHR & Air Source.
Grocott & Murfit are fully certified tradesman by Passivehouse – pioneers in the conceptual development of energy efficiency in homes. Passivehouse buildings achieve a 75% reduction in space heating requirements compared to standard practice for UK new builds.
‘LABC East Anglia Building Excellence Award’ winner.
Designed by Parsons + Whittley, this exceptional property was built by us, adhering to Passivehouse standards, helping us reach the finals of the UK Passivehouse Awards in 2016. In addition, we won the LABC East Anglia Building Excellence Awards and the Norfolk Association of Architects New Residential Craftsmanship Awards 2016 for this project.
A Unique PassivHaus Challenge.
Lime Tree Passivhaus is a beautifully considered retirement bungalow nestled within a modest garden plot, designed around a protected mature lime tree. For Grocott & Murfit, this project represented not only a technically ambitious build but also our first experience delivering a certified Passivhaus home, a challenge we embraced in close collaboration with architects Parsons & Whittley.
The design responds to a series of key constraints: a compact site, sensitive positioning around the protected lime tree, and the need for exceptional thermal performance. The resulting curved form wraps gently around the tree, making it the focal point of both the building and garden. Beyond its visual importance, the tree provides valuable natural shading to the southwest elevation, helping prevent overheating during the summer months.
Design Features.
The building’s distinctive curved roofline incorporates an oversized gutter system with leaf protection, ensuring maintenance remains minimal despite the tree’s proximity. The external material palette was carefully selected to harmonise with the surrounding development and landscape:
Brickwork along the tall outer sweep provides a robust, contextual presence.
Vertical larch cladding on the inner curve reflects the wooded character of the garden and creates a warmer, more private environment.
The curve concludes with a fully glazed south-facing gable, flooding the sitting room with natural light. Generous overhangs and flank walls help regulate solar gain, adding another layer of protection against overheating.
Technical Construction Approach.
The bungalow is built on a reinforced concrete raft supported by mini piles, carefully placed to avoid disturbing archaeological remains identified on site. From this base, the structure adopts a traditional cavity wall construction combined with radial timber ‘I’ beam rafters to form the curved roof.
High-performance insulation was essential to achieving Passivhaus standards:
Walls and roof were filled with blown EPS platinum beads
Floor consisted of 200mm PIR insulation supporting a floating finish
These choices ensured outstanding thermal efficiency and airtightness while allowing the architectural vision to be fully realised.
Our First Passivhaus, Delivered With Confidence.
As a first-time Passivhaus contractor, we approached the project with enthusiasm, diligence, and a commitment to learning. The construction process ran smoothly thanks to having a positive and proactive on-site attitude. We worked with certified Passivhaus tradespeople, both direct labour and subcontractors.
We maintained strong communication between ourselves and the architects; Parsons & Whittley, and the wider construction team, throughout the project.
This collaborative approach ensured that the strict performance requirements of Passivhaus were met right from the first build, a testament to the skill and dedication of everyone involved.
A Thoughtful, High-Performance Home
Lime Tree Passivhaus stands as a carefully crafted, environmentally responsible home that responds sensitively to its site while providing exceptional comfort for its owners. For Grocott & Murfit, it marks a proud milestone: a successful first Passivhaus project and a demonstration of our capability to deliver highly technical, future-focused buildings.
“We met Jody and Daniel on site with several of their craftsmen at the stage of preparing their quote. They instantly convinced us of their ability, and desire, to build one of Norfolk’s first Passive Houses. They succeeded in producing an award winning house of a very high standard. Not only were the team a pleasure to work with but they produced our home on time and on budget. We would happily recommend Grocott and Murfitt without hesitation” PassivHaus, Client
“Our first Passive House project challenged us in all the right ways, proving that the level of quality and detail required isn’t just exceptional, it’s the benchmark every project deserves.” Daniel Grocott, Director
