Chiswick Eco Lodge won the Best Green House in the Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2016
PassivHaus
Chiswick Eco Lodge
Overcoming a fraught three year long planning process, this house sits quietly on the site of a former garage in Chiswick.
Belying its exterior appearance, the house provides three bedrooms, generous living space and outdoor amenity achieved through the addition of a basement level.
The house’s unashamedly modern interior is completed with exposed concrete walls, a bespoke timber stair case and vast amounts of natural light. The amount of light brought into the house along with high levels of insulation mean that no heating input is required.
This house stands to prove that Passivhaus certification can be achieved without compromising a high quality bespoke design.
Constrained Site: Before & After
Occupying a highly constrained former garage site within a dense residential setting in Chiswick, the project was shaped by a complex planning process, close neighbouring properties and strict noise and access limitations. The challenge was to transform an overlooked backland plot into a calm, light-filled home while carefully responding to its sensitive urban context.
Commissioned as a long-term home for retirement, the project responds to a desire for a more manageable, comfortable way of living without compromising on quality or character. The brief called for a highly efficient building that would reduce running costs while providing a calm, contemporary environment suited to everyday life, on the site of a former garage.
Small space, big impact.
The proposal adopts the Passivhaus standard, a rigorous approach to low-energy design developed in Germany, which drastically reduces energy demand through a combination of airtight construction, high-performance insulation and advanced ventilation systems. By harnessing solar gain and internal heat sources, the house maintains a consistent internal temperature with minimal energy input, demonstrating a forward-thinking model for urban living.
Set within a traditional residential context, the scheme carefully balances innovation with sensitivity to its surroundings. A considered palette of materials, including concrete and timber, introduces warmth and tactility, while subtle external interventions allow the building to sit comfortably within the existing streetscape. The result is a home that quietly challenges conventions - pairing environmental performance with spatial generosity and architectural clarity.
As one of a limited number of Passivhaus homes in London, the project contributes to a growing movement towards more sustainable housing in the UK. It illustrates how careful design, technical precision and a clear vision can come together to create a home that is both environmentally responsible and deeply enjoyable to inhabit.
OUR CLIENT'S STORIES
"Whether you’re extending, renovating, or in my case building a new build Passivhaus you will be bowled over by the flair, creativity and attention that Richard, RDA's lead architect and founder, applies to your project.
I ended up with a light, bright, award-winning house so far beyond my expectations. All planning issues were resolved without losing the essence of the project and I’m thrilled to recommend such a great practice."
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