Architect Kirsty Maguire is quietly revolutionizing the way we think about homes and sustainability. Based in Newport-on-Tay, Scotland, Maguire is a leading designer of Passive House standard buildings – highly efficient structures that prioritize comfort and dramatically reduce energy consumption. For Maguire, sustainability is not an afterthought; It is at the heart of every one of their projects.
Maguire's path to sustainability began with her architecture studies in Edinburgh and the Netherlands, followed by years of practice at various companies. In 2011 she founded her own practice focusing on passive house design. Their work has since received widespread recognition, including the Dundee Institute of Architects' prestigious Supreme Award in 2023 for a co-housing project near Liff that combines private and shared spaces for two families.
Her latest achievement is personal: a Passive House home and office she designed for herself in Newport-on-Tay. Their 'flipped' home, recently featured in The Courier and located on a quiet street, turns conventional design on its head and features upstairs living spaces that offer stunning views of the River Tay.
The home is bursting with thoughtful details: a double-height living room bathed in natural light from six skylights, an expansive picture window that frames the landscape like a work of art, and handcrafted elements like an ash-slab dining table by Maguire and her father .
The house’s sustainability record is equally impressive. It is insulated with breathable natural fibers and ensures a comfortable temperature all year round with minimal energy consumption. During a week of subzero temperatures, the house lost only one degree of heat per day without heating.
Infrared panels provide quick heat when needed, while a mechanical ventilation system keeps the air fresh and humidity stable. Even the paneling – stainless steel coated with recycled vegetable oil – reflects Maguire’s commitment to eco-friendly materials that are as durable as they are sustainable. And Maguire plans to install solar panels and battery storage to make the home even more self-sufficient.
“Ever since I was little I always wanted to build my own house,” Maguire told The Courier. “When this location came about, it was perfect for me. The gradient made the planning and construction a bit of a challenge, but it was worth it.”
Their commitment goes beyond the building shell. As Maguire's home is within walking distance of shops, public transport and cycle paths, she minimizes car dependency and highlights her commitment to eco-friendly living. Her freestanding office, also built to Passive House standards, serves as both a workplace and a concrete example of the benefits of sustainable design for her clients.
Maguire is also passionate about debunking myths surrounding passive houses, such as the misconception that they require tiny, south-facing windows or that windows must remain closed.
As climate concerns grow, Maguire's work offers a compelling vision of what sustainable living can look like. Their designs prove that energy efficiency doesn't have to come at the expense of comfort or style. Instead, it's about using intelligent design and thoughtful materials to create homes that are both resilient and inspiring.
“If I can have customers at home on a cold winter evening and it is cozy and warm without heating, it shows them what comfort a passive house can offer,” she says.
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