From July 2021, Andrew and Linda Burnett will be welcoming guests to stay at their one-ofa-kind, certified oak frame Passivhaus* Bed and Breakfast in Malvern, Worcestershire.
In 2016, the Burnetts purchased a plot of land in rural Worcestershire to build their dream home on. Having aspired to run their own B&B one day, their future home presented them with the perfect opportunity to tailor the floorplans so they could bring their business venture to life.
Building with sustainability in mind was key from the outset for Andrew and Linda, and they loved the look and feel of oak framed homes. So, they worked with Herefordshire-based oak frame supplier, Oakwrights, to design and construct a green oak frame Passivhaus home. This was encased in Oakwrights’ insulation panelling system, WrightWall and WrightRoof Natural* ensuring extremely high-levels of energy efficiency and airtightness; vital for Passivhaus certification.
“I am conscious energy costs will continue to rise, and with this, I came to see from a heating bill point of view that building a Passivhaus was like a pension,” explains Andrew, “where you invest a moderately large sum of money into the build, and receive extremely low heating bills for as long as
you live there in return.
Oakwrights’ Natural insulation system is inherently airtight,” continues Andrew, “so we felt confident it would assist us in achieving the stringent Passivhaus requirements.”
After just 11 months of construction, Andrew and Linda moved into their home in March 2019 and following rigorous assessments, received Passivhaus certification in the September.
“We were over the moon to receive certification and we couldn’t be happier with our home,” says Linda. “Every time we step inside, we still smile at each other and say, ‘Wow, it’s just lovely here!’”
Now (in-line with Covid-19 guidance), the Burnetts are preparing to open the doors to their ‘Woodlands rural retreat,’ where guests can experience the feeling of living in an oak frame Passivhaus, while exploring the surrounding countryside.
“To be able to stay in one of the only two certified oak frame Passivhaus homes in the country is a unique experience,” says Charlie Mills, Managing Director at Oakwrights. “Guests will be able to take in the beautiful oak frame and experience what ultimate sustainability feels like, and why others should follow the Passivhaus route! I need to get my diary out and book myself in!”
To discover more about the UK’s first certified oak frame Passivhaus B&B and Andrew and Linda’s self-build journey, please visit UK’s first certified oak frame Passivhaus Bed and Breakfast | Oakwrights.
Oakwrights © Mark Bolton 
Oakwrights © Mark Bolton 
Oakwrights © Mark Bolton
