The last structural timber frames were completed at the UK’s largest low energy Passivhaus eco-home development in Coventry recently. Orbit Homes, is investing £2.8 million in building 23 new affordable and highly energy efficient homes at Sampson Close. 


Stewart Fergusson from the housing association said: "This is an exciting time for everyone at Orbit Heart of England and all those involved in this project. The new homes at Sampson Close are being built according to European Passivhaus principles, which stipulate substantial levels of insulation in the floors, walls and roof to achieve low heating costs and comfortable, high standards of living. The lessons we are learning from this unique scheme will help us to save our residents money on their home running costs in the future.”


Cllr Brian Kelsey, the Lord Mayor of Coventry, added: “I am pleased to see modern technology being applied in domestic housebuilding. Recently in Coventry we have seen the new Severn Trent Building in the City Centre using very modern technology in space heating and ventilation. I hope the residents who will occupy these 23 new affordable homes will be very satisfied with their living conditions and low domestic bills.”


This will be the first Midlands-based social housing scheme to follow the Passivhaus certification route, resulting in significantly reduced heating costs and carbon emissions. Additionally, the use of Modern Methods of Construction will improve on-site productivity and quality assurance. The homes are being built on a brownfield site in north Coventry and combine a mix of terraced housing and apartments. 
The concept behind Passivhaus originated in the 1990s and since then more than 17,000 homes have been built in accordance with the European Passivhaus standards. However, in the United Kingdom so far only a handful of homes have achieved Passivhaus certification.


You can read about MADE's recent delegation to Germany which explored Passivhaus technology in retrofit and new build developments here