Beattie Passive, the UK’s first company certified for a complete build system by the Passivhaus Institut, has completed a large-scale, demountable and relocatable, ‘Passivhaus Plus’ volumetric modular housing development for Cardiff Council. The development is the first of its kind in the UK.
The scheme comprises 48 volumetric one, two and three-bedroom modular apartments and two large ancillary blocks, which have all been constructed to the rigorous performance requirements of the internationally recognised ‘Passivhaus Plus’ certification – the gold standard of energy efficiency for buildings.
The scheme has been developed to provide temporary accommodation for families experiencing homelessness, with Cardiff Council providing wraparound services and support for residents. The site boasts an office block for staff, a training room, a training kitchen, a 24/7 medical office and a crèche.
Designed in the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) and constructed around Beattie Passive’s patented sustainable timber-frame build system, the homes maximise airtightness and minimise thermal bridging to reduce energy consumption by up to 90%. The blocks are also equipped with photovoltaic panels. Not only does this mean that the buildings effectively eliminate fuel poverty, but also that the entire development is rated net zero.
By definition, properties certified to the Passivhaus Plus standard must incorporate renewable energy. According to the Passivhaus Trust, a building certified to the Passivhaus Plus standard not only dramatically reduces energy consumption, but also produces enough energy from renewable sources to operate the building throughout the year.
One of the major benefits of the scheme at Ferry Road is the fact that the entire development is demountable and relocatable, meaning that the carbon saving potential of the project is significant. Councillor Lynda Thorne, cabinet member for housing and communities at Cardiff Council, said: “The flexibility of this fully demountable system means they can be moved elsewhere in the future if required, enabling us to respond to changing housing needs over time.”
Cardiff Council has committed to becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2030 through its ‘One Planet Cardiff’ strategy, so sustainability and circularity were critical considerations from the outset. A whole life carbon assessment, conducted by construction industry analyst Cercula, calculated that the development would save 8,880 tonnes of carbon, with 85% less whole life carbon than a traditional build, the equivalent to 20,640 barrels of oil.
Ron Beattie, founder and managing director of Beattie Passive, said: “As fuel costs soar and climate concerns intensify, we must urgently address the issues of energy efficiency and carbon in construction.
“The project at Ferry Road ticks all the boxes for a contemporary social housing scheme, going further still to achieve Passivhaus Plus standards of energy efficiency, comfort and carbon-saving.”
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