Our philosophy . . .
We have developed PH15 to meet the Passivhaus methodology, and also to reflect a firm belief in using natural, renewable materials where possible, materials that can then be recycled at end of life.
Everyone deserves a good home, especially at the affordable end of the housing spectrum. Homes should not be a luxury item, that’s why we are also interested in group housing, which helps to reduce costs, and supporting those who might need to invest using their own sweat equity.
Our aspiration is to be disruptive innovators in business, to contribute to creating a new market and value network. Please join in.
Jonathan Williams BSc
After financing his way through university at UEA (more years ago than he cares to remember) by doing some casual building work Jonathan ended up doing this full time for the next 30 years as the managing partner of Williams & Partners, a building company which specialised in historic building conservation and the use of natural, renewable building materials.
“This approach to building conservation was born of the realisation that historic building fabric needs to breath to avoid many of the problems which have bedevilled our listed churches and houses. The same approach, allied with the use of high tech building membranes can be used to create highly energy efficient and healthy to live in, new buildings”.
Jae Cotterell, MSc, Dip Arch
DIRECTOR
Author and architect, with experience in designing certified Passivhaus buildings, Jae is motivated by working to produce quality, aesthetically pleasing buildings achieved through thoughtful design and teamwork with people who share common values. Choice of appropriate materials is key, selecting low embodied carbon solutions wherever feasible.
Appropriate use of energy is critical in today’s world – Jae believes the best way they might contribute to growing a low carbon economy is by providing a construction model (PH15) that minimises cost uplift from conventional construction, minimises risks on site and fully supports a safe and rapid transition to low and net zero carbon homes.
Jae is the co-author of The Passivhaus Handbook
Anna Carton MSc, Dip Arch, CIAT
ASSOCIATE & DESIGNER
Designer and chartered architectural technologist, Anna started her career in interior design before moving to low energy retrofit and Passivhaus over a decade ago. Her cross disciplinary experience shapes her belief that how a building looks is inseparable from how a building performs and each are equally important to good design.
Anna sees the Passivhaus standard and the use of natural materials as the only currently proven means for providing healthy, affordable, zero carbon homes. She has contributed to numerous successful Passivhaus schemes in the UK and has presented at the Passivhaus Conference and UCL on low-energy housing.
When not in the office Jae enjoys taking the dog for a walk. Hang on Jae . . .
When not working, Anna enjoys open water swimming and being in the great outdoors.
David Durant
SALES MANAGER
A newcomer to Devon, David joined Passivhaus Homes with no previous experience in the intricacies of Passivhaus. He was compelled to apply for the post because the organisation’s values match his own, and he has quickly embraced its principles and the wisdom of putting fabric first in the construction of energy efficient buildings. A keen environmentalist, and tree planter, he is passionate about putting people and planet first and an avid supporter of using locally sourced materials and resources.
David manages the day to day complexities and quirks of the on-line store.
Phil Neve MSc, Dip Arch
CONSULTANT
Formerly a marine scientist, activist, cook and entrepreneur, Phil is an avowed generalist who loves to work across disciplines to create successful projects . He has also had an interest in environmental and energy issues since the 1970’s and for the past 15 years has worked in domestic energy and natural building as an assessor, advisor and Passivhaus consultant.
Phil believes that healthy low energy homes should be available to all people and regards Passivhaus performance and the use of natural materials as key to this objective. He also sees co-housing and other social living models as important for enabling us to lead healthier happier lives.
Hannah Hunt
TECHNICAL DESIGN & STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
With over 16 years experience in the construction industry, Hannah is an experienced building designer, with a wide range of skillsets including structural engineering and architectural design.
Her focus over the last 10 years has been straw bale building design. She has a passion for working with natural, low carbon building materials, and for creating buildings that are healthy to live in and low energy in use. As a full time wheelchair user she also has an interest in accessible and inclusive design.
PH Homes gives her the ideal opportunity to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to design, to create healthy, zero carbon, inclusive and affordable homes for all.
When not working David can be found, shovel in hand, planting trees.
When not working Hannah can usually be found exploring the great outdoors on her handbike.
Tom Williams MEng.
After listening to his father talk about houses for 20 years, Tom instead went to the University of Surrey to study a Masters in aerospace engineering. However, people often describe the two of them as ‘chip’ and ‘block’, and after university Tom found himself following in his father’s footsteps once again by exercising his computer-aided design skills at PH Homes.
Tom believes that low energy homes do not need to be a compromise between sustainability, liveability, and cost; and the Passivhaus standard demonstrates just that. He sees that low energy homes are an essential part of a sustainable future.
When not working Tom can either be found cooking dinner or cycling to the local shop to pick up ingredients for dinner which he forgot – chip and block.
The Office dog's bodies
