The first ever Passivhaus to be built and certified in Dorset 10 years ago is on the market.

The home, known as The Den, in the village of Ansty, is said to be an 'architectural delight ' and has an asking price of £850,000.

Passivhaus, literally passive house in English, refers to buildings created to rigorous energy efficient design standards so that they maintain an almost constant temperature.

Developed in Germany, they retain heat from the sun and the activities of their occupants, requiring very little additional heating or cooling.

The energy consumption of a Passivhaus property is said to be around a tenth that of a conventional property.

The Den Passivhaus in AnstyThe Den Passivhaus in Ansty (Image: Supplied)

Set behind electric gates, the 'inspirational country residence' sits amid wrap-around gardens in a private setting next to The Fox Inn pub and opposite The Village Farm Shop & Post Office in Ansty.

It is a 3-4 bedroom home set over three storeys and flooded with natural light.

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On the ground floor are two double bedrooms and family bathroom, a prep kitchen/utility with larder, and a kitchen/dining room.

Dining and kitchen area Dining and kitchen area (Image: Supplied)

The master en suite bedroom, and the generous living space with its vaulted ceiling, countryside views and balcony sit on the first floor, above which is the  open study/4th bedroom and plant room.

Living spaceLiving space (Image: Supplied)

A hot tub sits in a secluded spot in the south/southwest facing gardens and there is parking for at least three cars as well as a detached garage, a covered patio next to the property and a covered seating area off the garage, said to be perfect for summer BBQs.

Built upon a highly engineered timber frame clad in Siberian Larch with a solid, polished concrete floor and triple glazing, ‘The Den’ is 'super insulated' to minimise heat loss; it uses solar thermal to provide hot water, photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, and an MVHR heat recovery ventilation system to provide fresh air while equalising the temperature throughout the building, all working to produce the highest standards of comfort and energy efficiency.

The family home is on the market with the Poundbury branch of Meyers.