Greener by design

Architectural designer Martin McCrae and architect Mhairi Grant took the meaning of ‘self-build’ literally and assumed the design, construction and interior fit-out of their contemporary Passivhaus on a DIY basis

HOMEOWNERS Martin McCrae and Mhairi Grant LOCATION Kippen, Stirling SIZE 132m2 BUILD ROUTE DIY CONSTRUCTION Stick-build timber frame BUILD TIME Six years (2014 - 2020) PLOT COST £135,000 (in 2012) BUILD COST £250,000 VALUE £800,000 (estimated) WORDS Amy Reeves PHOTOGRAPHY David Barbour After working on a substantial renovation and extension for Mhairi’s parents, she and husband Martin, founders of Paper Igloo Architecture, looked to their own home — a renovated flat in Glasgow that they couldn’t get above 16ºC in winter. It was clear a new home was on the horizon for them. “Self-build felt like the natural choice for us because we’ve always been quite hands on,” says Mhairi. “The idea to build a Passivhaus came before we found the plot. It was something we were absolutely intent on from the beginning and at that point in time I had just…

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Homebuilding & Renovating (Digital) - 1 Issue, July 2022

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