Sartfell Cottage is a traditional cottage refurbishment and large new-build extension in a remote location in the Isle of Man. The site has a steep topography, with views across a valley that experiences strong wind speeds.
XCO2 worked with Foster Lomas to develop separate strategies for the cottage and extension. The extension has been orientated to benefit from winter passive solar gain whilst also making the most of the views out. Window recesses have been sized to provide an element of shading during the summer. Passivhaus levels of fabric performance are designed into the extension in order to minimise space heating demand. This efficient fabric is heated through a low temperature ground source heat pump. The use of the earth as a heat exchanger for temperature regulation is also achieved by the extension being built into the hill. This earth sheltering will provide an element of passive heat and cooling at different times of the year.
The use of the earth as a heat exchanger for temperature regulation is also achieved by the extension being built into the hill. This earth sheltering will provide an element of passive heat and cooling at different times of the year. The energy strategy of the existing guest cottage is less reliant on the building fabric in order to preserve the character of this Manx cottage. The fabric has been sensitively improved with insulation while heat and hot water is provided via a traditional wood stove with back boiler. The whole site is planned to be connected to a wind turbine in order to meet the client’s aspiration of zero carbon in operation.
The scheme took home a RIBA Regional Award 2019 and was shortlisted for RIBA House of the Year 2019.
