Passive House CHE is a sustainable two-story family home in Suceava, Romania, designed by Tecto Arhitectura and completed in 2015. Spanning about 190-250 m², it sits in a mature urban forest, blending modern design with Passive House standards for ultra-low energy use in a cold continental climate.
Overview
Located in Suceava, the house centers around an open inner courtyard with an indoor lawn and suspended net lounge for relaxation, creating indoor-outdoor flow via large glazed openings. Built from 2009-2015 at roughly 400,000 € (about 2,105 €/m²), it targets under 14 kWh/m²/year for heating and hot water, with primary energy at 89 kWhpe/m²/year.
Main Features
- Two levels: Ground floor for public spaces (kitchen, living, dining, laundry, toilet, patios, pool); upper floor for private bedrooms, including a master with balcony.
- Expansive glazing boosts natural light (daylight factor 4x standard) and passive solar gain; iconic sloped green roof maximizes winter sun.
- Indoor net over lawn for play; mechanical ventilation ensures fresh air while recovering 85% heat.
Sustainability Materials and Methods
High-performance cellulose and pressed wood fiberboard insulation (non-toxic, mold-resistant); vapor-proof Proclima membranes prevent condensation.
Wooden structures, natural cedar exterior slats for durability, triple-glazed high-performance windows. Systems include earth-to-air heat exchanger for passive cooling/heating, ground/water heat pump, biomass chimney (wood chips to buffer tank), double-flow ventilation with heat recovery, and planned PV panels/solar thermal for hot water.
Ecological Impact
Minimal site disruption preserves forest; green roof restores displaced vegetation and insulates. Rainwater harvesting irrigates gardens/crops; low energy cuts emissions (no cooling system, natural ventilation prioritized). Passive design reduces fossil fuel reliance, with underfloor/in-wall low-temp heating from efficient sources, promoting biodiversity in urban setting.
