Wood and Passivhaus
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Buildings often underperform when it comes to energy efficiency. On average, traditional new-build homes use 60-80% more energy for heating than their design target.
The UK government’s Industrial Strategy has set out some ambitious targets via the Construction Sector Deal and the Clean Growth Grand Challenge with a mission to halve energy use in new buildings by 2030. The methods to achieve this include developing innovative energy and low carbon technologies to reduce cost, coupled with quality-controlled construction techniques.
A proven and tested energy performance standard that fulfils the government’s aspirations is Passivhaus. A German concept developed in the early 1990s, and adopting passive design principles, Passivhaus achieves impressive energy efficiency as it bypasses the need for traditional heating and cooling systems.
[edit] Creating a healthy environment
Passivhaus is about airtightness and breathability. Choosing the right insulation material is key.
The welcome long-term side-effects of Passivhaus performance include improved indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and self-maintained moisture and humidity levels. Homes designed to Passivhaus standards often benefit from increased space and daylight too.
[edit] The affordable solution
Passivhaus is widely seen as an option reserved for self-builders, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Many local authorities and housing associations are now building to Passivhaus standards for their own housing schemes, offering the benefits of this approach to their tenants.
Take for example Heathcott Road. Based in Leicestershire, this unassuming housing estate is in fact one of the largest affordable Passivhaus housing schemes in the country. The once disused and overgrown 13.2 acres of land has been regenerated into a £7 million community made up of a permaculture farm and 68 eco-homes that have been built to Passivhaus standards.
Designed by architects rg+p, the scheme addresses the needs of the local people by providing homes with one to four bedrooms, constructed using Westleigh Partnership’s Westframe PassiPlus timber framing. As a result, the homes achieve U-values as low as 0.1W/m2K.
This is an affordable solution for individuals and families who can look forward to a future of very low to zero energy bills. The homes have been built to Lifetime Homes Standard making them adaptable to residents’ needs throughout their lifetimes. In addition, the use of timber frame made the homes more cost-effective to build.
It’s a trend that’s catching on and other social housing and affordable home schemes built to Passivhaus standards include:
- Architype’s affordable housing project, Much Wenlock, in Shropshire, also using timber frame;
- Mole Architects’ small development on Hindolveston Road in Norfolk, using locally sourced timber boards;
- Lancaster Cohousing’s eco cohousing community in Forgebank, another of the largest Passivhaus scheme’s in the UK;
- Gentoo’s bungalow scheme on the Racecourse Estate in Sunderland that helps older people fight fuel poverty; and
- MH Architects’ scheme in Standings Court, West Sussex, which is a 100% affordable rented site.
[edit] Building offsite
Other goals for construction outlined in the Industrial Strategy include modular technology for building offsite. An example of this is Tectonic Architects’ Passivhaus built using cross-laminated timber (CLT) in Hackney, making it the first certified Passivhaus homes in the borough.
Hackney is a built-up area. The urban infill site presented challenges with its conservation area location which receives no south-facing sun. Combatting limited site access and reducing disruption to existing neighbours, the use of CLT meant the structure could be constructed in just two days before being insulated with wood fibre. The result is a surprisingly light-filled building with a stable temperature and good air quality.
[edit] Powerhouse: The future of Passivhaus?
Powerhouse is a new and upcoming standard. It’s a Norwegian benchmark for which the building must produce more renewable energy over its lifetime (typically 60 years) than it uses during its entire lifecycle. This includes construction, operation, future renovation and demolition. The building needs to achieve Passivhaus standard first, but Powerhouse takes it to the next level with a focus on energy generation, demonstrating how the standard is evolving to incorporate the circular economy.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- An Introduction to Passive House - review.
- Code for sustainable homes
- BREEAM.
- Fabric first.
- Home Quality Mark.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
- Passive design.
- Passivhaus.
- Saffron Acres, Leicester, the UK’S largest Passivhaus residential development.
- Sustainability.
- The building as climate modifier.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.