Wates Living Space Appointed To Deliver £2.8million PassivHaus Scheme

8 July, 2010

Orbit Heart of England Housing Association and its development partner Orbit Homes have appointed Wates Living Space to deliver the first social housing scheme in the Midlands to achieve PassivHaus Certification – the world’s leading standard in energy efficient construction.

The 23-home scheme on brownfield site in North Coventry will combine a mixture of terraced housing and apartments, designed to save 80 per cent more energy than an average home.

Exceeding the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 energy performance standards, the new homes concentrate on air-tightness and insulation. Passive heating from the sun reduces energy use which with triple glazing, thermal bridging, passive and non-passive shading and low energy lighting will halve occupier costs.

Thousands of Passivhaus houses have been built in Germany since the technique was introduced in 1996.  Wates starts on site this month and will complete the scheme by February 2011, hitting difficult construction targets at every stage of the development in order to achieve the Certification.

Martyn Hopkins, Development Director for Wates Living Space said: “We are constantly striving to exceed stringent Government targets, reduce operational costs and practically apply renewable technologies and waste management solutions.

“Orbit is leading the way by investing in PassivHaus. We look forward to helping them meet the rigorous construction standards and delivering homes that set a new standard in sustainable, affordable living in the region.”

To download this press release as a pdf click here

Categories: new build, affordable housing, midlands

Tags: Orbit Heart of England Housing Association, Orbit Homes