The daylit Covert House in London is a Passivhaus stunner

London-based architecture firm DSDHA have completed the airy, daylit Covert House in Clapham Old Town, London.

The semi-underground home clad in glass and cast concrete features several sustainable mechanisms and, according to the architects, conforms to Passivhaus standards. The house, equpped with a rainwater collection system, heat recovery and several other eco-friendly features, was shortlisted for a RIBA housing award.

The house is sunken halfway into the ground and provides a high level of privacy to its occupants. Thanks to a large amount of glass surfaces and several skylights, the interiors are bathed in natural light. Its street-facing elevation is dominated by large windows, but thanks to the fact that it’s partially sunken into the ground, the house has an unobtrusive appearance, which was partly done due to strict conservation laws.

Rainwater harvesting, solar panels and a heat recovery system are part of the building’s sustainable performance. These are complemented with stable indoor temperatures maintained though thermal insulation of the soil. By including a small yard in front of the lower section of the building, the architects managed to provide additional lighting and avoid creating dark spaces.