Active houses: modern eco house plans from 66 to 187 m², with attic floors or two storeys

Modern eco house plans — what the section covers

The modern eco house plans in this Active House collection range from 66 to 187 m²; those with stated bedroom counts have two to five bedrooms. Most are attic-floor designs, while aerated concrete is the predominant wall material. Fewer than half are two-storey designs. Compare the floor plans together with the daylight, temperature and air-quality ratings. The Active House framework assesses comfort, energy and environmental impact. While passive house plans focus primarily on reducing energy demand, Active House examines these three areas together.

You can also open an individual house plan to compare its drawings with your plot requirements.

Check the layout and the plot

First compare the bedroom areas and the arrangement of living spaces. Then check where the building can sit on the plot, including boundaries, entrance and vehicle access. An Active House rating does not establish whether the footprint suits a particular site.

What is in this selection

The assessment has three areas: comfort, energy and environmental impact. Each parameter is assigned one of four compliance levels, with level one the highest and level four the minimum. These individual ratings provide a more precise basis for comparison than a general description of a house as ecological.

• Comfort: daylight in living spaces, temperature and air quality are assessed.
• Energy: consumption by all building systems includes lighting and household equipment, while generation from a solar power system and a wind turbine is also considered.
• Environmental impact: the assessment covers building materials, fresh water use, sustainable timber, recyclable materials and certified materials.

For the 66–187 m² Active House designs in this section, assess daylight and temperature separately from the energy score: low energy demand alone does not establish comfortable living conditions. The final energy assessment accounts for primary energy and the country where the building is located. Generation is considered alongside demand across the house’s systems. A generation figure cannot replace an assessment of the building’s total energy consumption.

Ready-made versus custom design

Floor plans show how the rooms are arranged; Active House assessments show the design ratings for comfort, energy and environmental impact. Check both rather than relying on a single rating. Actual performance will also depend on how the specified design is built. AkvilonPro’s standard project documentation includes architectural and structural drawings, such as floor plans, elevations, sections and material specifications. Check the individual project record for the exact package.

How to choose a plan in this section

The Active House radar brings together the results after every parameter has been assessed. Selection should follow the compliance levels for the characteristics that matter to you, whether daylight, temperature, air quality or the environmental impact of materials. A strong rating in one area does not remove the need to examine the others.

Paul Biriukovych is AkvilonPro’s specialist in passive and active houses. He leads active-house projects and heads the energy-efficiency department.

For a different structural approach, see Canadian-style SIP panel houses. Wall material alone does not establish compliance with Active House; the assessment concerns the building’s combined characteristics.

Before choosing a design

If a design from this section almost suits you, discuss the layout changes with the architect before ordering the drawings. The architect can assess feasibility after reviewing the design and plot information.

What people ask before choosing a plan

How many bedrooms can I get with a plan from this category?

The designs with stated bedroom counts have between two and five bedrooms. Compare how much space each bedroom receives, then consider the comfort assessment alongside the layout. Matching room counts do not establish matching indoor conditions or an equivalent distribution of space.

What dominates in this category in terms of storeys and wall material?

Attic-floor designs form the majority, while fewer than half are two-storey; aerated concrete predominates, and one of the five designs uses timber-frame construction. Use these groups to organise comparisons, then examine the chosen design’s structure and floor plans together with its Active House ratings.

Are there houses with a garage, basement or attic floor in this category?

There are no garage designs here; one of the five designs has a basement, and most have an attic floor. Where a basement is needed, compare its room uses in the relevant plans. For attic-floor options, consider the layout alongside the assessment of comfort in the living spaces.

Who fits a ready-made plan to the plot, and what is needed for it?

The architect assesses plot fitting for a design from Active houses, reviewing its boundaries alongside the intended entrance position and arrangements for vehicle access. Any proposed layout alteration can be discussed as part of that review. The architect can assess feasibility after reviewing the design and plot information.