In a project instigated by insulating materials producer Saint-Goban Isover, 10 architects have designed their passive house of the future.

In energy terms the buildings are quite simply in a class by themselves.

As passive houses they are primarily heated by the sunlight that strikes the window glass and by the residents’ own body heat.

Four out of the 10 Comfort Houses have triple-glazed windows framed with GRP profiles supplied by Fiberline Composites. This combination adds up to ultra-low U-values and translates into hefty savings on heating bills.

The excellent insulation afforded by GRP composite also means that no condensation forms on the window interior. The temperature on the inside of the glass never falls below the dewpoint, precluding any incidence of mould or rot.

Despite this superlative insulating performance the windows continue to be slim and stylish and they require no maintenance. And with no new repaint needed every two years the environment also benefits.