Welcome to the
Sheep
House
We’re documenting the rebuild of a barn
in Northern Italy, near Lake Como,
into a dreamy passive house
with real-world compromises.
What and why
Passive house?
A passive house is a performance standard for buildings that stay comfortable and healthy while using very little energy. It is not about gadgets; it is about getting the fundamentals right through building physics.
For us, this is a practical answer to real requirements: predictable living costs, long-term comfort, cleaner indoor air, and lower impact over decades.
In simple terms
Predictable costs
Lower energy demand means less wasted energy and more stable running costs over time.
Year-round comfort
More even indoor temperatures, fewer drafts, and less effort in every season.
Healthier air
Better ventilation and lower risk of damp spots, condensation, and stale indoor air.
Lower impact
Less waste, less strain on the grid, and a better base for sensible future upgrades.
We chose Northern Italy for practical, emotional, and financial reasons. Around Lake Como we found more light, more nature, a culture that feels compatible with us, and a more realistic path to building a long-term home than we had in Prague. It also feels like the right place to give an older property a second life, not just talk about better building in theory.
Why Italy?
Quality of life
More sunny days, closer contact with nature, and a culture that feels compatible with how we want to live.
Local renewal
Many older properties need a second life, and thoughtful renovation can improve both the house and its surroundings.
Better value
Compared with Prague, we saw a more realistic path to ownership and a stronger price-to-value ratio over time.
Our Journey
This is a documentation-first project about buying and rebuilding a passive house in Northern Italy. We share the real process, from paperwork and design decisions to on-site work, mistakes, and lessons learned.
About us
Bianca
Italo-Brazilian, Bianca likes cats, the sound of the rain, and mixing all the languages she knows in the same sentence.
She combines analytical and creative traits and likes balancing functionality with aesthetics.
Martin
Czech, Martin likes dogs, tools, and experimenting with ingredients to create complex flavored food.
He brings technical expertise and passion for passive buildings with a focus on practical, efficient solutions.
Partners
We collaborate with teams that care about quality, sustainability, and practical innovation.
Contact
US
Lake Como, Italy
Use the form and we will get back to you.
