In the battle against climate change, sustainability in architecture has emerged as a dominant strategy, prompting architects and developers to explore innovative methods for energy conservation and lowering the carbon footprint of buildings. In the UK, one approach that has recently gained popularity is the use of Passive House (or Passivhaus) principles. The Passive House standard—developed in Germany in the 1990s—focuses on efficiency, comfort, and sustainability. The UK has net-zero as its objective, so it is no surprise that Passive House concepts are finding themselves increasingly embedded in its architecture.
But what is Passive House design, and how is the UK embracing this disruptive standard?
What is Passive House Design?
The Passive House is an internationally recognised building performance standard that targets the design of ultra-low energy buildings. Fundamentally, Passive House aims to reduce external heating and cooling by creating buildings that naturally hold a stable interior temperature. That is achieved through a combination of superior insulation, sealed construction, energy-efficient windows, and mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR).
What’s left is a building that uses minimal energy to heat or cool, dramatically reducing carbon emissions and utility costs. Passive House constructions are not only energy efficient but also offer exceptional comfort and air quality to their residents, making it an eco-friendly and habitable choice.
How Critical Is Passive House Design In The UK?
The building industry in the UK generates about 40 percent of the country’s total carbon emissions, largely from wasteful energy use in homes, workplaces, and public buildings. It leads to stale houses, lost heat, and excessive use of energy with traditional building methods. As the UK government is pushing towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it’s time to reconsider how we design and build buildings.
This Passive House principle is particularly applicable to the UK, as the UK has a largely cold, damp environment. Traditional British homes are usually poorly insulated and underheated, and so they demand too much heating and, as a result, expensive energy. A passive house design solution provides a means of significantly lowering the energy required to heat a home, which will make it an integral tool in combating climate change and fuel poverty.
Examples of Passive House Projects in the UK
Across the UK, Passive House principles have been adopted by an increasing number of projects in the last 10 years, from large-scale housing estates to schools and community centres. These projects illustrate the application of Passive House principles to a diverse set of constructions.
Goldsmith Street, Norwich
Goldsmith Street, Norwich—the most iconic Passive House building in the UK—is a visionary and radical demonstration of how sustainable architecture can work. The housing project, designed by Mikhail Riches, includes 105 super-energy-efficient units, constructed to the strict Passive House standards. The houses are set out in terraced clusters to catch the sun, and their position (alongside triple-glazed windows and super-insulated walls) means that they don’t lose much heat. The Stirling Prize-winning project demonstrates that both energy efficiency and affordability are possible.
The Enterprise Centre, Norwich
Another outstanding project in Norwich is the Enterprise Centre at the University of East Anglia. As one of the most sustainable buildings in the UK, it’s not only Passive House certified but also meets BREEAM Outstanding standards. This unique building uses natural materials, including timber and reed, that are locally sourced and sustainable in its design and is extremely energy efficient. It is a shining example of Passive House principles being successfully implemented on non-residential properties.
Lancaster Co-Housing Project
It is an integrated co-housing project combining community and house, built on the River Lune in Lancashire. The 41-home project was intended to use less energy and build community. Residents occupy common areas and resources, and their dwellings enjoy airtight construction, heat recovery ventilation, and sustainable electricity, such as solar panels.
The UK’s First Passive House + Home!
Lime Tree Passivhaus in Kent, which was completed in 2016, was the UK’s first Passive House Plus-certified building. This designation simply indicates that the house produces more energy than it uses through solar panels and other renewable energy technologies. It’s the next step in Passive House construction, blending energy saving and energy production to make a truly sustainable house.
What is the Problem with Using Passive House Design in the UK?
Despite the increasing popularity of Passive House principles, the UK has yet to embrace them. These standards can be tricky and expensive to achieve, especially in a nation where conventional building practices are very much ingrained. The major hurdles include:
Initial Costs
Passive House projects often have higher up-front costs than traditional construction. It’s because it demands efficient materials, sophisticated ventilation, and fine craftsmanship. But those expenses are eventually offset by reduced energy costs, and prices will fall as the market for Passive House components increases.
Lack of Expertise
The UK construction market has never been receptive to new construction techniques, and a lack of Passive House building expertise can hinder the ability to undertake projects. Architects, builders, and consultants need professional certification and training to participate, complicating the work.
Retrofitting Existing Buildings
The UK is full of outdated, inefficient properties, many of which aren’t easily retrofitted to Passive House standards. While new properties can be designed around Passive House ideas, renovating old ones will require a lot of investment and creativity.
The Passive House Revolution in the UK?
Despite these challenges, the future of Passive House design in the UK is promising. Government policies, including the Future Homes Standard, which targets all new homes being “zero carbon ready” by 2025, are driving energy-efficient building practices. And at the same time, rising public awareness of climate change and increased energy costs are driving developers and homeowners towards Passive House alternatives.
Universities, too, are contributing. Architectural colleges around the UK are also introducing sustainability and Passive House concepts into their courses so that future architects can know and design more sustainable buildings.
A Living Building for a Greener Future
Passive House architecture is an important step towards addressing the twin crises of climate change and inefficiency. By saving on energy and carbon, as well as providing healthy, comfortable living environments, Passive House homes are revolutionising sustainable architecture in the UK.
Now that some prominent buildings, such as Goldsmith Street and the Enterprise Centre, have highlighted the potential and viability of the Passive House standard, it is evident that the UK is beginning to move towards this progressive way of building. Despite these setbacks, with increased demand for energy-efficient homes and government policy, as well as industry creativity, Passive House principles will become central to the UK’s transition to a greener, more sustainable future.
