Our own office is a passive low energy building. North/south orientation, with maximum glazing to the south and west, and minimum glazing to the north and east maximises solar gain with minimum heat loss. The building is set into the ground, again minimising heat loss as well as reducing the massing in the garden setting. Roof overhang on south elevation provides summer shading. High ceilings and manually openable roof vents provide passive cooling. Windows on opposite elevations allow cross ventilation.