The Meadows Haus in Park City, Utah, was designed and built to meet rigorous requirements set by the Passive House Institute (PHI). This voluntary building standard for energy efficiency minimises the ecological footprint of the building by reducing energy usage to ultra-low levels for both heating and cooling, and by maintaining particularly stable internal temperatures, regardless of climate.  

There is no superior cladding option for such tight constraints than sustainability-conscious and climate-resilient Accoya. This Utahan example of sustainable home architecture makes use of Shou Sugi Ban charred cladding to satisfy the needs of a family that was looking for a stylish, but inherently energy-efficient home. Designed by Klima Architecture, an ecosystem-informed firm whose projects are centred around energy-conscious designs and methods, this mountain residence is afforded not only sustainability, but beauty and grandeur also, by its Accoya cladding. 

Another building whose Passive House credentials mean it is likely one of the most sustainable homes for miles around is this private residence in Hamburg, Germany. The architects on the project specified Accoya for the 80 windows and 20 exterior doors to comply with the demanding requirements of the Passive House Institute. A distinct aesthetic to the projects seen above, these photos go to show how flawlessly Accoya can be integrated into a variety of design preferences, offering long-lasting splendour. 

With Accoya, swelling and shrinkage have found to be reduced by as much as 75%, meaning that there are no concerns over draughty gaps forming, or difficulties opening windows and doors, regardless of the time of year. Even more than this, the superior insulating power of this material reduces heat loss and, with it energy bills, meaning that residents can stay warm, comfortable, and content knowing that they are also saving money. 

“Jungle House” overlooking São Paulo’s Guarujá Beach shows so beautifully how modern sustainable homes can be integrated with the natural environment by using Accoya. Our wood was used here not only for the decking and cladding, but also for some internal panelling and furniture, as well as for MUXARABI joineries. This unique joinery acts as a light filter, altering the projection of light into the building depending on the time of day, creating an ethereal beauty sympathetic to this house’s magical surroundings, mimicking the journey of sunlight through the jungle trees.  

It is unsurprising that Accoya was chosen here, as not only does its incredible durability place it perfectly to withstand the sea air and Brazil’s hot and humid climate, but its design flexibility means it is easily reconciled with both nature and a variety of architectural techniques.  

When timber sustainable homes look like this, it’s not hard to see why they are becoming more and more popular. The entire exterior of this private residence in Sjursholmen in Søgne, Norway, is made using Accoya, including the façade, roof, outside deck, dock, and windows, and as Accoya wood is 100% non-toxic and contains no biocides or harmful chemicals, the owners can be sure that they are protecting the purity of the land and sea around them. The project’s architect underlined that Accoya’s stability and durability in the face of a tough Norwegian climate allowed him to indulge in “precise and sculptural expression” in the creation of the roof’s sharp edges. It is through Accoya that smart, sustainable homes are both striking and beautiful. 

The last of the Passives Houses on this list, this Accoya clad residence in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh is one to pin to the top of your self-sustaining home ideas board. When planning their ultra-energy efficient passive house, the physicist owners of this impressive abode were drawn not just to Accoya’s durability, but its long warranty and low carbon footprint. Indeed, Accoya comes from fast-growing sustainable forests, helping to reduce carbon emissions for a healthier planet, so these scientists can feel good not only about the stunning aesthetic of their home, but the sustainable foundations it is built upon. 

Sustainable home ideas are all the sweeter when they are this beautiful. The Trulli of Alberobello, part of the UNESCO World Heritages sites, are dwellings found in the southern region of Puglia, Italy, made from limestone boulders collected from neighbouring fields. Their historic, distinctive shade is mimicked in the sympathetic use of Accoya in the pool decking of this private residence, made possible by the wide variety of finishes available. See how the sun catches the boards, mirroring the subtle shades of the limestone, and emphasising the pure blue of the pool and sky. Grand designs don’t get much grander than sites of such historic importance, and with its sustainability credentials and long warranty there is no better choice than Accoya to compliment the longstanding heritage of this house’s surroundings.